As the first album produced by Erin Costelo‘s Venue Records that isn’t an Erin Costelo record, the debut solo work of Halifax-based singer/songswriter Leanne Hoffman is here. Five years in the making, What Remains shows us that Hoffman doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to discussing some of life’s harder challenges.
“For me, this album represents the past five years of my life and everything I went through in that time,” says Hoffman. “It talks a lot about mental health and internal struggle, because that is much of what I experienced in that time. It also talks a lot about relationships (romantic, friendships, family, society, etc.) and how hard they can be but also how fulfilling they can be.”
“Each song feels like a time stamp from my past and is a reminder of where I was and how far I’ve come.”
Tracks “If My Parents Die” and “Growing Old” get straight to the point on the topic of aging and realizing how short life can be. Such realizations can hit hard, and as a woman in her 20s, it seems as though she was in the thick of those realizations during the writing of the album.
Another track that scores particularly high on the relatability scale is “Redirect Your Sails.” Discussing how certain matters in life cannot be changed, the track reassures listeners that there is always an option to change one’s own direction or way of thinking to rectify a situation. It encourages us to trust that, with the right mindset, life will end up working in our favour.
The lyrical content of the album is honest and poetic. It doesn’t need the music behind it to pack a strong punch of truth, but the music definitely does not hurt. The pieces of her life that Hoffman incorporates into the tracks of What Remains help the listener feel connected to the music and experience the emotions that are behind it.
In addition, the tracks do not all carry the same sound and feel. Though many musical characteristics are carried throughout the entire album, there is also a dynamic quality to the rhythms and instrumentation styles. Falling somewhere between alternative, soul, contemporary and soft rock, Hoffman’s style feels unique yet easy to digest.
“I think I did a lot of letting go through the writing and recording of this album. What’s left over are the parts I’ve worked really hard to maintain, and the parts of myself I can be sure of and grateful for. The title What Remains is a reference to that. To the things that you are left with after a really intense personal struggle, and the relief that comes with making it out the other side.”
And though she poured five years of her life and much of her soul into the album, she does not take all of the credit.
“[Erin Costelo] carried this on her back for a while, especially when I didn’t have the energy or motivation to want to finish it . . . It is always so impressive to watch her take something that feels so unfinished and make it in to something that feels like it’s been alive forever. . . I honestly would not have finished this record without her.”
Hoffman is taking her album on tour throughout eastern Canada following its release. You can catch her at one of the dates below.
Tour Dates:
05.10.19 – Ottawa, ON @ the National Arts Centre
05.16.19 – Kingston, ON @ Musiikki Café
05.17.19 – Orillia, ON @ The Brownstone
05.18.16 – Hamilton, ON @ The Pearl Company
05.19.19 – Lambton Shores, ON @ Grog’s Pub & Grill
05.22.19 – Toronto, ON @ Burdock Brewery
05.24.19 – Montréal, QC @ Grumpy’s
05.25.19 – Florenceville-Bristol, NB @ Second Wind Music Centre
05.30.19 – Halifax, NS @ The Carleton
06.08.19 – Bedford, NB @ Patchwork House Concert
06.15.19 – Antigonish, NS @ The Townhouse Brewpub & Eatery
08.02.19 – Berwick, NS @ The Union Street
08.05.19 – Charlottetown, PEI @ The Trailside Bed and Breakfast
Leanne Hoffman: WEB | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM