‘The Happiness Project’ by Charles Spearin

 I’m back! I apologize for the long absence. I have no idea what came over me. Regardless, I’m back and will try to keep a steady pace going again. 

 Today we have quite the unique piece of music. In fact it’s a bit more than a collection of songs. No, ‘The Happiness Project’ is more of a documentary, art exhibit with a beautiful soundscape sound track. Toronto music scene mayor Charles Spearin, from Broken Social Scene and Do Make Say Think, turns his street, his neighbors and his friends into notes, tones and rhythms to create a musical portrait of his tiny corner of the world. 

 Charles explains his intentions best,

These are my neighbours. My wife and I have two little kids and live in a multi-cultural neighbourhood in downtown Toronto. In the hot summer months all the kids in the neighbourhood play outside together and everyone is out on their porch enjoying each other’s company, telling stories and sharing thoughts. A year or so ago I began inviting some of them over to the house for a casual interview vaguely centered around the subject of happiness. In some cases we never broached the subject directly but none-the-less my friends began to call it my “Happiness Project”.

 The best part about this album is that it actually lifts you mood. Hearing these people tell some of their stories really makes you marvel at the world. Not in my usual, “how are people like this way” either, but instead with hope and love. Everyone on this album, except for maybe Charles kid complaining about butter, has had more than their share of problems and is still happy. As if the problems were just part of the ride. Truly inspiring.

 As for the actual music on the album, it’s exactly the caliber you’d expect from a founder of Do Make Say Think and Broken Social Scene. The songs are jazzy, calming, funky and free. The way the music fades in and out of the speech, it becomes a part of the conversation. Almost like a band was in the room during the interview. This album, clocking in at just over a half hour, is a short, concise piece that is warm and, you guessed it, happy all the way through. I look forward to more from Charles and all his bands future releases. I hope they all make me this happy.

Song: ‘Vittoria’