Minneapolis-based solo pianist John Hayes returns with his second full-length release, The Last Best Place. Inspired by the unexpected loss of a friend, The Last Best Place captures a range of emotions as well as Hayes’ intimate recording process. Each piece was written softly, late at night, wanting to tell their own story, yet all finding a way to remain connected to the same narrative.
“The Last Best Place was very much an unexpected album for me. After recently moving into a new studio I was dealing with several different anxieties. Being on my own for the first time, another unexpected loss of a friend, trying to progress my music. All these things lead to a great deal of uncertainty in my life. It is funny how we always tend to gravitate towards the things that are most familiar to us during uncertain times. For me, that will always be music. One day I finally decided to sit down and take the time to record these pieces that I had been playing during this time. The result is this album. Maybe some of these songs will calm you the way they calmed me. I hope so. With so much busy going on, sometimes it is necessary to take a step back, close your eyes, and just listen.” – John Hayes.
Hayes’s music is gorgeously recorded with natural ambient room sounds that make you feel as though you’re seated at the piano with him. A fantastic minimalist score for any film in need of raw emotion and depth.
