In the spirit of train-hopping Woodie Guthrie, LA artist Fairhazel took off for a nomadic year across America and Europe, lugging only his guitar and a small recorder. His new album Other People’s Houses was actually recorded in guest bedrooms around the world.
If Travelocity gave out awards for songwriting, the album’s title track would win the top prize. It’s melodically rich and rhythmic, with one of the catchiest bridges in recent memory.
This artist has been a rolling stone his entire life. Hugh Macdonald was raised in the UK, France and South Africa – and has been performing under the moniker Fairhazel since arriving in LA.
“The album follows my last year as a nomad, living for no more than two weeks at a time all over the world,” says Hugh. “Everywhere I went, I had a guitar and a portable studio that fit in a backpack. I would record a different song in all of these houses around the world, embracing the imperfections of each space.
“The title track was recorded in London, in a small flat opposite a monastery.”
Fairhazel has accomplished two goals at once: conducting the least expensive world tour in history while producing one of the best indie-folk albums of the year.
Listen to title track “Other People’s Houses” below, and find the new album on the streaming services.
