New York, NY (Top40 Charts) John Hickman�s exciting emergence as a critically acclaimed independent artist will inspire anyone of a mature age who thinks a full on pursuit of musical dreams is best left to kids in their teens and 20�s to think differently regarding that idea. On his infectious, musically eclectic, and powerfully produced full length debut album Remnants, Hickman steps out with the first single, the provocative high octane rocker �While Everyone Was Sleeping.� To coincide with the CD release, Hickman has also released a provocative politically slanted lyric video that should raise the eyebrows of all sides of the political aisle.
With such powerful songs as �Cascade,� a booming, high energy tune that uses images of nature as metaphors to convey divine and human love connections, the melodic, deeply poetic singer/songwriter infuses the 12-track collection with a dynamic array of the classic and modern rock influences that fueled his musical ambitions. �My influences can vary sometimes depending on the song,� he says. �Most of the time, it�s the greats I grew up listening to, like
David Bowie, Styx, Rush, and The Beatles. With its playful harmony vocals, title and reverb, �Hello Hello� definitely brings the Fab Four to mind. �While Everyone is Sleeping,� on the other hand, reflects more contemporary influences like Green Day, and I�m also a big fan of Coldplay, so they are a major influence as well.�
Hickman cut the tracks at London Bridge Studios in Seattle with the help of mixer/engineer Jonathan Plum (who also plays bass) and mastering engineer Geoff Ott. Hickman achieves his big, multi-textured sound with the help of numerous local musicians, including Adrian Vanbatenburg (drums and percussion), Shohei Ogami (guitars), Tim DeHuff (guitars), Andrew Fox (keyboards), Mikhail Pivovarov (bass), Ally Jenkins (violin), Laurel Pistey (cello) and Ken Fordyce (bass).
The song Hickman partially titled the project after, �Remnants of the Human Race,� is a perfect example of his unique flair for highly emotional music and penetrating lyrics tackling often surprising themes. Starting out as a dramatic piano ballad, it evolves into a soaring, electric guitar driven progressive rocker. Other tunes like the deep, rock jam �Escape� and the searing power ballad �Passing Thru,� take on a more hopeful tone (seeking freedom, searching for something more in life), while �Paris is Burning� is a romantic piano driven pop rocker whose lyrics tap into numerous historical references and playfully quote Cole Porter and Jim Morrison. Another spirited slice of optimism is �Soiled Dove,� whose title comes from a nickname that was used in the Old West to refer to a prostitute. It�s about a damaged woman who, despite her present circumstances, is hopeful of a better life.
�What I enjoyed most about making Remnants was the opportunity to put these ideas I had in my head into these recordings, watching them come to life with these incredible musicians,� he says. �A lot of work goes into the process of making an album, and I�m very proud of my work here. Yet the most exciting thing is that, now that everything has come together, I have the opportunity to get the music out there for others to enjoy as well.�
Lyric Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQDp8DnftrA
Website: www.johnhickmanmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JohnHickmanMusic
