Barak Hill

Free Live Album!

Barak — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:27:00 +0000

Most of you probably know, I’ve been working on a new album for several months. I expected to have it done by now, but these things often take longer than expected. So, to tide you over and let you hear some new music, I’d like to offer a free download of a recent live show.

Last weekend I played a house concert with my friends Dallas Jones and Brandon Moore. We had an incredible time, and the recording turned out fantastic. You can download the entire show, mistakes and all. Share it with your friends. I feel like this gives a really good idea of the intimacy and fun you get with a house concert. We were in a friend’s living room with 20 or 30 other people. It felt more like and evening with friends than a concert. Give it a listen. If you’re at all interested in hosting a show like this in your home, contact me and we’ll set something up.

American Songwriter’s Santa Cruz Guitar Giveaway

Barak — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:41:30 +0000

A little live video I made for my song “Building the Tin Man” made the final five in American Songwriter’s Santa Cruz Guitar Contest. Very cool just to make the top five, but I really want that guitar. So help me out. Go to this page, click “like” under my video, then tell all your friends to do the same. Quick and easy. And if I win the guitar, I promise to use it to record something special for you.

Another Review

Barak — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:49:02 +0000

TAG Magazine posted a really nice review of This Life I Love today. Check it out.

A Nice Review of This Life I Love

Barak — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:03:15 +0000

Artist: Barak Hill

Album: This Life I Love

Reviewer: Alexa Spieler

Barak Hill is no stranger to the music industry, having been writing music since the tender age of fourteen. Now nearly sixteen years later, this indie singer/songwriter has transformed into a polished, unique, truly talented and remarkable adult professional. This Life I Love is Hill’s first ever full-length solo album, recorded in 2010 and released in January of 2011. It’s a simple combination of acoustic guitar and pure vocals, but complex in its own way. The instruments and vocals progress and drift into and out of the songs, but the main focus is always and will always be the lyrics. Comfortably strong songwriting and clean production are what make Barak Hill who he is, and what makes him destined to join the greats in the indie/folk collection. Watch out Ryan Adams: Barak Hill is on his way to the top.

Kicking off This Life I Love ‚”My Way Home” begins with a simple chord progression on acoustic guitar. It’s calming and soothing, accompanied by Hill’s smooth vocals. The piece retains this calm feel, but towards the coda, things change a bit. Harmonic voices are added in addition to Hill’s vocals, ultimately completing the song with those counter harmonies. “Twenty-seven/Twenty-eight” follows, but starts off with a rather different vibe from the banjo. Still calm, but also bright and uplifting. What is most beautiful about Hill’s music and his songs is his remarkable ability to take something simple and craft it into something purely beautiful. The soothing tone of his voice and the acoustic guitar easily fit together like puzzle pieces. There’s a strength and passion in his voice that any artist would kill to have.

“I Can’t Talk To You” is a definite stand out track here, adding harmonica and even a harmonica solo to the mélange. Hill’s passion is belted out as he exclaims “I can’t talk to you!” Also high on the hit list is “Kerosene (An Arsonist’s Lament),” where again the lead vocals are made the true star, by their power this time, instead of their delicacy. “Kerosene” may only be nearly over a minute long, but it’s more than enough time for Hill to take listeners on a journey that becomes heavier and more intense with each line. Lowering the intensity now, “Hannah, See You Soon” tells the story of many good memories with Hannah, and his journey back home to her. With the lightness of the acoustic guitar and Hill’s voice, this is compelling songwriting and perfect story telling. It is one thing to be a gifted singer, and another to be a gifted lyricist. To be an inspired storyteller as well is a very powerful combination. Hill’s talent and musical agility shines brightly through on This Life I Love. It’s a solid indie/folk album packed with clean production and great songwriting, bound to become a favorite of many very soon.

Review by Alexa Spieler

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Springfield, MO — 02/25/11 — House Concert

Barak — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Where can you get a copy of This Life I Love?

Barak — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:22:28 +0000

My new album, This Life I Love, is available through pretty much any online music service. Use your favorite.

Buy This Life I Love, by Barak Hill on iTunes, Amazon MP3, or CD Baby.

Obviously, the most money finds it’s way back to the artist (that’s me) if you pick up a CD at a show or use my online store. My fans on Facebook can get a discount code to save 20% on the new album (both CD and MP3 format) through my online store. If you’re already a fan, get your discount code here. If you’re not, go here and click “like” to get the code.

This Life I Love, Available Now!

Barak — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:03:23 +0000

This Life I Love is now available! Visit the store to get your copy.

Help Fund the New Album

Barak — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:40:32 +0000

I’ve been hard at work on the new album. I’m planning to be finished recording this month and be ready to move on to mastering and packaging to have the album available by January 25th. The most cost effective way for me to release the album is digitally. With almost no initial cost, I’ll be able to have the album on iTunes, AmazonMP3, CDBaby, etc. But I know a lot of people that still like to hold a CD in their hands. If you’d like to help me pay for some of the upfront cost of having CDs and packaging produced you can pledge a few dollars on my kickstarter page. There are some pretty cool rewards (including advance copies of the album) to make pledging worth your while.

Visit my Kickstarter page to pledge.

Thanks for your support,

Barak

The All New Website

Barak — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:53:20 +0000

In honor of the upcoming album, This Life I Love, we’ve completely revamped barakhill.com. The new site should make it easier to share news about shows and all of my future projects. On the right you can sign up for my email list, and also follow me on Facebook. As I work on the new album over the next couple of months, I’ll be sharing lots of exclusive content with fans on facebook and the email list. So get in on the action.