Artist description Sean Hoen's music is a blend of traditional and ecclectic folky-jazz with a modern songwriting approach. Technically extremely competent and innovative in it's structure and melody, the mood of the music and vocals reflect the roots of the folk genre and coalesces from personal to poetical. Not afraid to stand on it's own individual style and tonal quality, the presentation is there to embrace on it's own artistic merit, and it's take it or leave it. Occassionally joined by additonal musicians to explore the feeling a group under the direction of Sean, the music takes a more modern rock approach while still retaining it's own technical face and feeling. - (Mike CTW)

Music Style Alternative/Indie/Folk

Musical Influences Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Paul Westerberg, Mark Kozelek, Roger Waters, Red House Painters, Replacements

Similar Artists Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, Paul Westerberg, Mark Kozelek, Roger Waters, Red House Painters, Replacements

Artist History Since the dissolution of the heavy fusion like band Sean was fronting called Thoughts of Ionesco, who in their own respective right composed and recorded a collection of 5 albums. Sean has had time to sit back unplugged and develop what he had been working on in the background for quite some time. While working on songs and getting together material for what would be his first formal CD release he recorded and produced a great body of songs on his Roland 6 track recorder in personal quarters. Through several home reference demo mixing sessions it was clear that a documentation of this was imminent. So with a body of polished songs Sean and I entered the studio to master, mix, polish and finalize the choice cuts to be selected for the CD. At the same time Sean recorded freshly 3 songs with additional players to mix up the albums feeling and articulate further Sean's diversity. Emerging from Woodshed studios with 8 of the home recorded songs and 3 new tracks the CD was ready for production. "The Atavan Tapes" Sean's first release compromising 11 songs is now available on ctwrecordings. We present to you on our Mp3.com page 2 select songs from the CD and some very special outtakes and selected demos. While not considered final release quality these songs have been approved for digital release and carry on the full force feeling of Sean's music. - (Mike CTW)

Group Members Sean Madigan Hoen

Instruments Acoustic Guitar, Vocals. Bits of other instrumentation on select material such as synth and digital effects, drums, and bass.

Albums The Atavan Tapes

Press Reviews Birthed from the industrial clouds and polluted rivers of southeast Michigan, ‘The Atavan Tapes’, a collection of home and studio recordings from Sean Madigan Hoen, is delivered to the forum of acoustic/indie songwriting. “Atavan”, Hoen’s debut release, is a preliminary yet comprehensive compilation of his acoustic song-craft: blending complex jazz-folk chords and modes into subtle, painful compositions. Technically Hoen’s playing is impeccable; when accompanied by the depth and warmth of his vocals the story comes together. ‘The Atavan Tapes” (Atavan being a psychiatric tranquilizer Hoen was prescribed while recording the album) is an account of intense, personal poetics written into expressive and intricate compositions. “It Feels Sometimes” is a pinnacle of contemporary folk song styling; aggressive in it’s urgency yet treated with delicate sardonic lyricism. Slower numbers such as “Dull, Blue American Song” radiate with intense emotion and superb chordal work, allowing Hoen more space to rasp in his reflections. On studio tracks like “Slow Days Coming Home” and “Nicotine and Flannel in the Autumn”, Hoen is joined by heavyweight Detroit musicians Brian Repa and Nathan Miller who able him to further the atmosphere and intensity of his work. The album is brooding and intellectual, but also flourishes in melodic quality. This release of early material should establish Hoen as an innovator of modern acoustic music/songwriting; the collection being an extraordinary exception to the pretension and mediocrity which typically pollutes the genre. Fans of Paul Westerberg, Nick Drake, Mark Kozelek, Leonard Cohen, and Roger Waters should pay close head.Adam Kowalski, music critic and freelance writer, Lansing, MI

Location Detroit, MI - USA

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