SOUND PROOF
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SOUND PROOF

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Band Folk Acoustic

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Proof is in The Music"

It may not qualify as a musical empire, but Jason Hanley's Sound Proof Productions has become a Lake Worth epicenter for under-the-radar local music. The singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer goes by his recording label name rather than his own when producing music by other artists. The Web site, and even his own live gigs, are also billed as Sound Proof. Ask the Detroit native why, and you get an answer that goes beyond humility. "It's very methodical, actually," Hanley says from work at the Java Juicebar (an extension of his other downtown Lake Worth job at the adjoining newsstand, Studio 205). "I'm doing business as Sound Proof Productions. It's the name I'm using to build the label, and a performance name to let people know to expect the kind of music I'm producing. The name itself goes back to childhood. My real name is Jason Durham, not Jason Hanley. My stepfather adopted me, and I had to adjust to the fact that I had no control over that. But my art is the music that I've created, and the sound is proof." Hanley records artists, at either his home studio or at remote locations, through his laptop computer, which he's equipped with ProTools recording technology. The two-dozen CDs available on the Web site are either by Sound Proof or a handful of other artists, from local flutist Jim Kovalcik to Moonhead, a Denver band Hanley befriended while touring. The label's latest release is Grasp of Your Attraction by the Onion Band, comprised of area singing guitarists Jack Heideier and Steve Rodgers and singing bassist Phil Mann. A compilation CD, Live at the MP3Cafe.com, ranges from overdubbed solo performances by multi-instrumentalists Jason White, Melissa Griffin and Paul Bobit to tracks by combined labelmates from different groups. Aside from the site's MP3 player, there's an MP3Cafe link that's actually a forum for political opinions; a couple of featured soundtrack projects, and partnerships to distribute other companies' CDs. Plus, there's plenty of music available for download; a calendar of Sound Proof performances, and a "Make a Donation" link that makes you wonder how often Hanley gets help in his musical crusade. "Never," he says with a laugh. "We've never gotten a donation. I've sold a few CDs on the site, but there are about 60 tunes people can download for free, so they don't even need to really buy them. But I sold a couple CDs today here at work. I have an MP3 player on my phone, so I can let customers sample songs that way." Hanley returns from a road date in Asheville, N.C., to play a Sound Proof co-headlining show with singer/songwriter Ric Pattison at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Luna Star Cafe, 775 N.E. 125th St., North Miami. Phone: (305) 799-7123. Be the first-ever donor to www.soundproof productions.net, and he may even buy you a smoothie. - Palm Beach Post


"Sound Proof'S Self-titled Effort"

Sound Proof'S self-titled effort is a calm trip through a well-crafted landscape of organic sound, and on the whole, its songs, while simple, lack pretentiousness in any and all regards. Rather than attempting big budget drama that it likely can't afford, the group clearly aimed at capturing a minimalist sound. However, where many have struggled with a similar approach, Sound Proof succeeds, utilizing its acoustic guitar accompaniments to punctuate the "laid back and chilled over ice" ambience of the entire album. There are touches of folk and Latin-tinged flourishes that grace the collection, and a faint echo of reminiscence hangs over many of the tunes. Tracks such as Jakeamya show off a heartfelt sentiment that is severely lacking in today's angst-y musical world, and with a sonic diversity that rumbles from power odes to head-bobbing grooves to harmonica showpieces, the album is chock-full of quality material. Granted, Sound Proof isn't for everyone for it's music is far too relaxed for that, but while no barriers are broken, none are left unexplored.
- The Music Box


"SOUND PROOF"

Now here's a real musician someone who still sees his songwriting as a growing, evolving craft. Combining Latin, Jazz, Rock, Blues and improvised jams, Jason Hanley catches on a groove and shapes it. He has a very expressive style of playing, really losing himself in his music. Singing straight from the gut, he has a very strong, captivating voice used for more message-oriented stories. Sound Proof, as far as I can tell, is most often a trio of accomplished musicians led by Hanley, streaming ideas back and forth to each other in a jammy environment. The entire album moves forward as one extended piece, incredibly organic, and each track sounds more like a movement than a single. Within the extended improvised sections, there doesn't seem to be too much structure; they're more experimental and open to ideas and space. In most tracks, there is a good base laid down by a clear, brilliant acoustic guitar and accented by subtle percussion. A lead guitar shines overtop of that base creating beautiful, moving melodies. A harmonica dances in and out of most tracks, wavering and toying with the rhythm and even sounding strangely similar to a violin at times. Each track stays fresh with tempo changes and instrument changes, but it all stills fits together like a colorful puzzle. The production on the album is outstanding; the sound is very crisp and clear. There is a wonderful use of space and channel panning throughout the entire recording. Screamin is a great Indian-tinged track with floating chant vocals haunting the background, moving the lead guitar along. They employ an intriguing rhythmic scratching/rattling of acoustic guitar strings in this and a few other tracks. I always wonder how and why musicians choose certain distortions or tones for their leads; this album completely threw me off. Where did he get the idea to lay a buzzsaw-distorted, reverb drenched lead over an acoustic rhythm, and an epileptic harmonica over a soft percussive progression? I don't know, but it sounds absolutely brilliant, and it all works together ridiculously (check out Brothers). Blasted Back is definitely a bit more funky; there's a beautiful Latin-laced acoustic guitar and piano rhythmic duet happening that gets cut in half by a surging, wandering, distorted guitar line. In the following track, he drops back down to a softer, more emotional guitar and harmonica number, keeping the album moving. I dig his voice, but I absolutely love the instrumental sections, and there are plenty of them. I give it a solid. - Left off The Dial


"SOUND PROOF"

Sound Proof is, in essence, a one-man project. Jason Hanley, once half of the early version of Latino Chrome, returns to town with a set of blues-inflected psychedelic tunes. Hanley's guitar playing has a somber tone and his lyrics bemoan tales of lives lived rough.

- Creative Loafing


"A New Sound"

Sound Proof is a collection of songs and music built around the styles of the musicians and artists who perform them. Therefore, the music is fluid and free of monotony or any structured format (Other than the rhythm of the moment). That quote is cut and pasted right off the website of this east coast trio who sent me their prolific CD this week. This largely acoustic music initially reminded me of some bluesy folk artists of the late sixties, with touches of John Mayall, Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead. Beginning with the political overtones of Money Machine, this music moves along like a live jam session being recorded in someone's living room. The feeling is loose, experimental and improvisational. Daniels Drum is an aptly named tune where the musicians seem to be playing anything that resembles percussion instruments, including Mom's pots and pans. The lead vocalist sings in a deep, soulful voice that is slightly reminiscent of Country Joe MacDonald. Always is an effectively moody number with harmonica flourishes, abstract lyrics and jazzy rhythm guitar. Screamin definitely sounded like Jefferson Airplanes instrumental material a la Embryonic Journey and is nicely augmented by female vocal parts. Though this disc draws heavily from the influences I have cited, it stands on its own as music unique to today's sometimes pasteurized sounding records. Some of the lyrics are a bit politically clich but the overall mood of the disc hearkens back to simpler, less encumbered production values of today's modern rock or folk music. If I am suddenly taken by the urge to light some incense, plug in my psychedelic lights and lay back on my waterbed, this will be my music of choice. - New Artist Radio


Discography

2007-Nasoni- Records, SOUND PROOF
2006-Sunset Records,
SOUND PROOF & FRIENDS LIVE@THEMP3CAFE.COM
2005- Cdbaby, THE CHICAGO BUS
2003- Blizzard Records
SOUND PROOF (1999-2003)

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Jason Hanley is a songwriter that was born in Detroit, Michigan and currently resides in south Florida. Jason grew up in Charlotte N.C. where he was introduced to blues by friends and his parent's old albums. The young musician/ singer songwriter began playing clubs in the late 80's as a lead/ rhythm guitarist in what was then labeled as alternative rock & roll. Some of the project names were Enterlandscapes, Latino Chrome, Trust Fall, Soul Beyond and a myriad of others that evolved into other bands and other types of musical ventures.
Currently Jason is expressing himself under the name SOUND PROOF in south Florida. SOUND PROOF is turning into a collective of musicians that love to play music in an impromptu fashion, pulling together the style of organic music yet still highlighting some of progressions of jazz and blues. The group changes forms according to the gig they are catering to, yet the band/ solo act still primarily remains original music. Jason is the primary songwriter for the band of gypsies. He also acts as a solo artist that books under the name of SOUND PROOF.