HOPING FOR REAL
A songwriter's retelling of the beloved book "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams
(The Rabbit Project)
Hoping for Real
Songs inspired by the beloved book, "The Velveteen Rabbit", by Margery Williams, Hoping for Real is a debut song gallery written and performed by Hope Newman Kemp and a gang of her super talented friends. The recording is produced by Ben Hardesty (The Last Bison). Hope and the band are showcasing on August 16-17, 7:30 pm, Studio 1 Burlington, NC. Click Tickets for info!
Enjoy a free preview of Hoping For Real HERE
About Hoping For Real
Hoping For Real: A songwriter's retelling of the beloved book "The Velveteen Rabbit" By Margery Williams
The question of my sage season; how to take a long preserved passion and move from homeschool mom to songwriter? I'm an old dogs, and these things are new tricks. And, I'm a slow learner.
My daughter-in-law (herself a songwriter) suggested recording a "Song Series", and the idea breathed instant life into a starving creativity. Turns out a Song Series is just what it sounds like: a series of songs that work together to explore a story. The story is the important thing, so I searched for a story rich in nuance and profoundery but untethered from on-the-nose plots or dialogue. In what has become its own story, "The Velveteen Rabbit" showed itself one day.
The songs began writing themselves with almost frightening fervor. I believed recording them required a producer with a sensitive ear. Benjamin Hardesty (songwriter and front man for "The Last Bison") was my first choice, and to my astonishment he agreed to the work with equal enthusiasm.
1 year to the day that we started, Hoping for Real was born.
If you grew up with the book you most likely have fallen in love with it; so many have told me how important this whimsical little story is in the history of their childhood. For your sake, I hope you see how tenderly we've tried to treat your love. If you haven't, I hope you fall for it as I have. May we all be found and transformed by Love!
Musicians
Vocals, Piano, Juno, Organ: Hope Kemp
Percussion: Benjamin Hardesty
Cello: Amos Housworth
Violin: Matt Davidson
Guitar: David Kemp
Double Bass: John Fraser
Hoping for Real Album Production Credits
Recording Produced by Ben C. Hardesty of "The Last Bison" for Hope Kemp Music
All songs written and copyrighted by Hope Newman Kemp, 2018
Instrumentals recorded at Music Mania, Burlington NC;
Tracking Engineer: Jeremy Thomas
All piano tracks recorded at Dark Pines Studio, Graham NC
Tracking Engineer: Jacob Danieley
Assistant Engineers: Seth Peguini, Tyler Howard
Vocal tracks recorded at COLLECTORNorfolk, Norfolk Va
Tracking Engineer: Hayden Heard
Mixed at Sick Island Studios, Nashville TN; Ryan Swinehart
Mastered at Bluefield Mastering, Raleigh NC; Jeff Carroll
The Rabbit Artwork
The Artwork for Rabbit was commissioned by local artist Barbora Mickle, owner of The Bohemian Phoenix
You can check out her work HERE
CD Release Theatrical Concert Information
Studio One, Holly Hill Mall in Burlington
August 16th, 17th ONLY
Doors open at 7:00pm
Show begins at 7:30pm
Seating is Limited!
What's Next for Hope Kemp Music?
As an indépendant artist, I must have patience and wait for circumstances to help me move forward with future projects. But I thought I'd let you in on what I hope to be presenting next:
- "A Swan's Song: beauty for the longing heart" is already in the works! Inspired from the story of an ugly little duckling who finds his true nature among the beautiful swans. This project will be an EP and recording begins soon!
- "Stories and Steeples: a collection of songs for the journey" will be a full length roots soul project using borrowed words from poets with stronger minds than mine. I hope to begin preproduction on this project very soon, and am very excited about sharing these stories!