Hello World by Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt
“The duo never disappoints. Everything is well-disciplined &
engaging. There’s salt & there’s sugar... Entertaining?
Absolutely.” - Americana Highways
“Hello World” is unlike anything you’ve heard — but not for the reason you think. Aaron & Michael
transport us out of these uncertain times and into stories of the past and future, building a dream
world on a foundation of lush cellos and otherworldly acoustic stringed instruments.
This collection of songs reflects a changed world and a closer focus on the things that matter:
Kindness. Empathy. Appreciating the simple pleasures of life. Reinventing ourselves. And preserving
our stories during our short time here on earth.
And this is a storytelling album. One of Aaron & Michael’s favorite things to do is to find obscure
pieces of history, almost lost, and immortalize them in song. “Dr. Joelson’s Bag” tells the story of a
doctor making a house call to new immigrants during a snowstorm in the 1950’s. “Sorry, Alan” recalls
the life journey of Alan Turing, father of the computer and a war hero, who was persecuted because
he was gay. “Twelve Tone Girl,” explores an avante-garde, long-ago-discarded form of classical
music, to hilarious effect.
The title track uses vintage computer sounds as folk instruments to tell the story of a nascent coder
designing their first computer program. “Let’s Play in the Snow” is a waltz that celebrates the joy of
playing with one’s children, no matter how old you feel. And “Evening” uses a nearly century-old
poem as the basis of a song that is dreamy and ambient.
This album is unabashed escapism, combined with remembering who we are and what our values
are.
Aaron and Michael produced this album together with Gregory Hugh Brady, its chief engineer, at
Smithbridge Records in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It includes performances from Brady, Doug
Hamilton (violin), Adam Pasqueal (drums), and Serenity Fisher (backing vocals).
Aaron and Michael’s previous album, “Shadow of the Cyclone,” reached #7 on the Folk DJ charts in
October 2020, and their holiday single, “Rebuild,” reached #3 in December 2022. Aaron and Michael
played a formal showcase at the November 2022 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference in
Asbury Park, N.J.
Tracklist
| 1. | Hello World | 4:38 |
| 2. | Dr. Joelson's Bag | 4:15 |
| 3. | Without The Cold | 5:28 |
| 4. | Let's Play In The Snow | 3:13 |
| 5. | Sorry, Alan | 3:53 |
| 6. | Man And A Whale | 4:18 |
| 7. | Flatbush Sunset | 4:13 |
| 8. | Evening | 5:36 |
| 9. | One Dollar Gloves | 3:40 |
| 10. | Twelve Tone Girl | 5:00 |
Credits
“Hello World,” an album by Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt. Produced by Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt, in association with Gregory Hugh Brady.
“Dr. Joelson’s Bag,” “Let’s Play in the Snow,” “Sorry, Alan” and “Flatbush Sunset” by Aaron Nathans, Hardy Lily Music, ASCAP. “Man and a Whale” by Michael G. Ronstadt, MGR Publishings, ASCAP. “Hello World,” “One Dollar Gloves” and “Twelve Tone Girl” by Aaron & Michael. “Without the Cold” by Michael, Serenity Fisher (Serenitree Music, BMI), Alan Jay Prescott, and Aaron. “Evening” music by Michael G. Ronstadt, words adapted from a poem by Clarence Dan Blachly. Additional lyrics by Michael.
Michael G. Ronstadt - Cello (2-9); steel-string guitar (1, 3, 4, 10); electric guitar (1, 8, 10); nylon-string guitar (1, 6); mandolin (1, 3); electric bass (1, 2, 3, 8, 10); lead vocal (1, 3, 6, 8, 9); vocals (10); harmony vocals (2, 4, 5, 7, 9); Rhodes keyboard (3, 4); brushes (1, 5, 8); piano bench (1); scrapes (1); kick drum (4); contact pickup kick drum (1, 9); snare drum (1, 2, 4, 9); bass ukulele (4); electric 5-string cello (6); fretless tenor banjo (9); conga (9); clapping (9); rattle snake sound (9).
Aaron Nathans - Steel-string guitar (1-6, 8-10); lead vocals (2, 4, 5, 7); vocals (10); harmony vocals (1, 3, 6, 9); piano (7); clapping (9); nylon-string guitar solo (6).
Gregory Hugh Brady - Sine waves (1); computer beeps (1); sampled kick drum (1, 9); ambient guitars (1, 2); shaker (2, 3); electric guitar (3, 9).
Doug Hamilton - Violin (1, 4).
Adam Pasqueal - Djembe (2); drums (10). Serenity Fisher - Harmony vocals (3).
Engineered and mixed by Gregory Hugh Brady at Smithbridge Records, Chester Heights, PA. “Twelve Tone Girl” instruments engineered by Glenn Barratt at Morningstar Studios, East Norriton, PA. Mastered by David Glasser/Airshow Mastering. Cover photo and inside photo by Rob Hardin. Graphic design by Scott Wolfson, OriginalBrain Media.
Aaron and Michael would like to thank Kari Estrin, Larry Ahearn, Justin Nordell, Cheryl Kagan, Kevin Nordlie, and all our Kickstarter backers. Greg, thanks again for all your kindness, craftsmanship, and friendship.
Aaron would like to thank Avi Wisnia, Phil Henry, Meghan Cary, Scott, Johnathan McCullough, Serenity, Nancy Rost, Katy W. Smith, Mark Galbo, and Kathy Callahan. Love to L&C, Mom & Dad, Jenny & Jon, Joanne Neff, Grandma Judy, and family. All my love to Debra. In loving memory of Ernest Weiner and Martin Neff.
Michael would like to thank all the people in his life who have been family, friends, and all-around amazing support throughout his music journey on this earth.
License
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Michael G. Ronstadt has been captivating audiences throughout North America for nearly two decades. A master at his craft, Ronstadt traverses a mélange of musical styles that range from anywhere between folk, jazz, classical, Americana and the wildly ethereal. He lends his talents to a broad range of projects, including solo work and a variety of small ensembles, as well as larger bands.