Hayden (musician)
Encyclopedia
Paul Hayden Desser who records as Hayden, is a Canadian singer-songwriter
from Thornhill, Ontario
.
His early works are a largely eclectic mix of genres from grunge rock to alt country, as demonstrated by his first full album, Everything I Long For
, released in 1995. Since then his work has become progressively more refined.
Hayden received a B.A.A.
in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Ryerson University
) in 1993.
's annual Bridge School Concert.
In 1998, Hayden toured North America with a full band in support of The Closer I Get
. After the release of The Closer I Get, Hayden was bought out from his contract with Universal Records
for a large sum of money. Full details have never become public.
In 2001 (and with no label support), Hayden very quietly distributed 100 hand-written, packaged and numbered copies of Skyscraper National Park
to friends and independent record shops throughout Toronto. This was quickly followed by an additional 1,500 hand-numbered copies (this time with professionally printed liner notes). These copies were primarily sold at live shows. The critical success of these two limited-edition runs led to a full commercial release of the recording later that same year.
In 2004, Hayden released his long awaited follow up album, Elk Lake Serenade, and toured North America with Oshawa's Cuff the Duke
acting as his back-up band.
From November 1–3, 2007, Hayden performed three small pre-European tour "warm-up" shows in Ontario and Quebec. They were the singer-songwriter's first official performances in three years. He followed up with In Field & Town
, released on January 15, 2008. His most recent album, The Place Where We Lived
, was released on May 26, 2009.
His father is Sherwin Desser, a retired University of Toronto
professor of parasitology
and current visual artist.
Hayden turned to music after his song "Take" was selected for the album New Music Search, compiled by Toronto radio station CFNY in 1993. Hayden played guitar on the track and enlisted two friends to sing vocals. Hayden continued to recruit vocalists until 1995 when he began to showcase his grainy baritone. Take has never been officially released on any of Hayden's albums.
, a small music label he owns. From its inception in 1994 until 2005, Hayden's own albums were all that the Hardwood label carried, but in 2005, Cuff the Duke
released their second album on Hardwood, and Basia Bulat
released her first full-length album on Hardwood in 2007.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from Thornhill, Ontario
Thornhill, Ontario
Thornhill is a community in the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the northern border of the city of Toronto. Once a municipal village, Thornhill is now a community and postal designation geographically split into two municipalities along Yonge Street, the city of...
.
His early works are a largely eclectic mix of genres from grunge rock to alt country, as demonstrated by his first full album, Everything I Long For
Everything I Long For
Everything I Long For is an album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was initially released in Canada on Hardwood Records. It was later re-released in 1996 on Sonic Unyon, and internationally on Outpost Recordings/Geffen Records...
, released in 1995. Since then his work has become progressively more refined.
Hayden received a B.A.A.
Bachelor of Applied Arts
The Bachelor of Applied Arts, often abbreviated as BAA or B.A.A. is an undergraduate degree. The term 'Applied' means that the degree is vocational in nature, and not research-oriented.-Usage:...
in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Ryerson University
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
) in 1993.
History
In 1996, Hayden performed both nights of Neil YoungNeil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
's annual Bridge School Concert.
In 1998, Hayden toured North America with a full band in support of The Closer I Get
The Closer I Get
The Closer I Get is an album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It is Hayden's first international release. In Canada it was released on Hardwood Records/Universal, while in the United States it was released on Outpost Recordings/Geffen/Universal....
. After the release of The Closer I Get, Hayden was bought out from his contract with Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
for a large sum of money. Full details have never become public.
In 2001 (and with no label support), Hayden very quietly distributed 100 hand-written, packaged and numbered copies of Skyscraper National Park
Skyscraper National Park
Skyscraper National Park is an album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was released on Hardwood Records in Canada, on Badman Recording Co. in the U.S., on Loose Music in the U.K., and on Massive! in the Japan. There were two limited-edition pressings of this album. The first, comprising...
to friends and independent record shops throughout Toronto. This was quickly followed by an additional 1,500 hand-numbered copies (this time with professionally printed liner notes). These copies were primarily sold at live shows. The critical success of these two limited-edition runs led to a full commercial release of the recording later that same year.
In 2004, Hayden released his long awaited follow up album, Elk Lake Serenade, and toured North America with Oshawa's Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
acting as his back-up band.
From November 1–3, 2007, Hayden performed three small pre-European tour "warm-up" shows in Ontario and Quebec. They were the singer-songwriter's first official performances in three years. He followed up with In Field & Town
In Field & Town
In Field & Town is the seventh full-length album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden, released January 15, 2008 on Hardwood Records and Universal Music Canada.-Track listing:# "In Field & Town"# "More Than Alive"# "The Van Song"...
, released on January 15, 2008. His most recent album, The Place Where We Lived
The Place Where We Lived
The Place Where We Lived is the eighth full-length album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden, released May 26, 2009 on Hardwood Records and Universal Music Canada.- Track listing :- References :...
, was released on May 26, 2009.
His father is Sherwin Desser, a retired University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
professor of parasitology
Parasitology
Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question, but by their way of life...
and current visual artist.
Hayden turned to music after his song "Take" was selected for the album New Music Search, compiled by Toronto radio station CFNY in 1993. Hayden played guitar on the track and enlisted two friends to sing vocals. Hayden continued to recruit vocalists until 1995 when he began to showcase his grainy baritone. Take has never been officially released on any of Hayden's albums.
Hardwood Records
In Canada, each of Hayden's albums have been issued by Hardwood RecordsHardwood Records
Hardwood Records is a Canadian independent record label, owned and operated by singer-songwriter Hayden. Originally formed to distribute his own albums, the label also currently releases albums by Cuff the Duke and Basia Bulat....
, a small music label he owns. From its inception in 1994 until 2005, Hayden's own albums were all that the Hardwood label carried, but in 2005, Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke
Cuff the Duke is a Canadian band from Oshawa, Ontario. They play a blend of traditional country and folk music with indie rock influences, and can be categorized as an alt-country group.-History:...
released their second album on Hardwood, and Basia Bulat
Basia Bulat
- External links :*...
released her first full-length album on Hardwood in 2007.
LPs
- In September (Cassette) — Paul Records/Hardwood RecordsHardwood RecordsHardwood Records is a Canadian independent record label, owned and operated by singer-songwriter Hayden. Originally formed to distribute his own albums, the label also currently releases albums by Cuff the Duke and Basia Bulat....
(1994) - Everything I Long ForEverything I Long ForEverything I Long For is an album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was initially released in Canada on Hardwood Records. It was later re-released in 1996 on Sonic Unyon, and internationally on Outpost Recordings/Geffen Records...
— Hardwood/Universal Music Canada (1995) - The Closer I GetThe Closer I GetThe Closer I Get is an album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It is Hayden's first international release. In Canada it was released on Hardwood Records/Universal, while in the United States it was released on Outpost Recordings/Geffen/Universal....
— Hardwood/Universal Music Canada (May 12, 1998) - Skyscraper National ParkSkyscraper National ParkSkyscraper National Park is an album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was released on Hardwood Records in Canada, on Badman Recording Co. in the U.S., on Loose Music in the U.K., and on Massive! in the Japan. There were two limited-edition pressings of this album. The first, comprising...
— Hardwood (October 16, 2001) - Live at Convocation HallLive at Convocation HallLive at Convocation Hall is a live album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden, released in 2002 on Hardwood Records and Universal Music Canada.The album was recorded at the University of Toronto's Convocation Hall.- Disc One :# "Streetcar" – 4:53...
— Hardwood/Universal (2002) - Elk-Lake SerenadeElk-Lake SerenadeElk-Lake Serenade is the sixth full-length release by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was released on 18 May 2004 in Canada and in the U.S.A. . It was released two months later in the U.K...
— Hardwood (2004) - In Field & TownIn Field & TownIn Field & Town is the seventh full-length album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden, released January 15, 2008 on Hardwood Records and Universal Music Canada.-Track listing:# "In Field & Town"# "More Than Alive"# "The Van Song"...
— Hardwood/Universal (January 15, 2008) - The Place Where We LivedThe Place Where We LivedThe Place Where We Lived is the eighth full-length album by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden, released May 26, 2009 on Hardwood Records and Universal Music Canada.- Track listing :- References :...
— Hardwood/Universal (May 26, 2009)
EPs and singles
- Mild and HazyMild and HazyMild and Hazy is a 7" vinyl single by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was released in 1996 on Hayden's own label, Hardwood Records as well as on Lunamoth. The cover is a photograph of Hayden as a toddler...
(7") — Hardwood/Lunamoth (1996) - Lunar Landing ConfirmedLunar Landing ConfirmedLunar Landing Confirmed is a split 7" vinyl single by Canadian alternative rock band Poledo and Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was released in 1996 on Squirtgun Records. "Two Words" was recorded live at The Gas Station in Toronto, 29 April 1996 by Dale Morningstar...
(7" splitSplit albumA split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There have been singles and EPs released in the same nature, which can be referred to as split singles and split EPs respectively...
with PoledoPoledoPoledo was a Canadian alternative rock band, active in the 1990s. Consisting of vocalist and bassist Joshua Malinsky, vocalist and guitarist Mitch Roth and drummer Dave Capogna, the band formed in 1994 and released two independent cassettes, Buzz Muffin and Let Up, before signing to Sonic Unyon...
) — Squirtgun Records (1996) - Moving CarefulMoving CarefulMoving Careful is an EP by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was released in Canada on Sonic Unyon/Hardwood Records and late issued on 10" vinyl through Hardwood Records...
(EP) — Sonic UnyonSonic UnyonSonic Unyon Recording Company is an independent record label based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The retail store is located on Wilson Street near James Street North)...
/Hardwood (1996) - Carry On MentalityCarry On Mentality"Carry On Mentality" is a 7" vinyl single by Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden. It was released in 1997 on Landspeed Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Paul Hayden Desser.Side A:*"Carry On Mentality" – 3:43Side B:*"Wasting My Days Away" – 4:50...
(7") — Landspeed Records (1997)
External links
- Waste Your Days Away − Official Hayden website.
- Hardwood Records − Official Hardwood Records website.
- Sherwin S. Desser − Hayden's father and artist.
- http://radio3.cbc.ca/concerts/Hayden-2004-05-09Hayden in Session at Radio 3" CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3 is a radio station that consists of two parts devoted to Canadian arts and music: a radio service which is available on Sirius Satellite Radio and streaming audio, and several daily and weekly podcasts from the CBC Radio 3 website...
Session - Hayden article February 2008
- The Toronto Star article
- Canoe article