After achieving moderate commercial success, particularly with film and television soundtracks, Matt Hales could’ve left the music business satisfied. In fact, he considered retiring after 2007’s Memory Man, his fourth studio album under his performing name Aqualung. But claiming that he held a collection of songs that “don’t want to be hidden away,” Hales recorded Magnetic North in just five days in his home studio in Los Angeles.
Respecting the music’s desires, Hales capped off a short U.S. tour in Boston, bringing the new songs to the packed Café 939 Red Room. Magnetic North offers a mostly warm, joyful tone, with upbeat piano melodies and lighthearted percussion. In stark contrast with the often heartbreaking and solemn tunes that comprise Strange and Beautiful and Memory Man, the material matches Hales’ gracious and witty on-stage personality. Between songs, Hales kept the crowd laughing by joking about preposterous song meanings, accidentally making double entendres, and judging audiences’ clapping abilities (“Philadelphia? No fucking clue.”).
Hales discussed his time away from touring, mentioning the birth of his daughter, whom he called a hummingbird. Though, he didn’t sign “Hummingbird” from Magnetic North, he did dedicate his greatest hit “Brighter Than Sunshine” to her, calling it an “old-fashioned love song.”
Joining Hales for half of the songs were opening act Krista Polvere and her two-member touring band. Hales explained that they had arranged some of his pieces while traveling together by bus. The three musicians added a welcomed depth to Hales’ already lush piano arrangements, playing bass, guitar, tambourine and even a shy looping pedal for a Josh Ritter cover.
With Hales’ thoughtful songwriting and charming, emotional performances, here’s hoping he doesn’t retire anytime soon.
Setlist:
01. Another Little Hole - Strange and Beautiful
02. Reel Me In - Magnetic North
03. Thin Air - Magnetic North
04. Tongue-tied - Strange and Beautiful
05. Pressure Suit - Memory Man
06. Breaking My Heart - Strange and Beautiful
07. Something to Believe In - Memory Man
08. Girl in the War (Josh Ritter cover)
09. Good Times Gonna Come - Strange and Beautiful
10. Sundowning - Magnetic North
12. Fingertip - Magnetic North
13. Strange and Beautiful (I’ll Put a Spell On You) - Strange and Beautiful
Encore:
01. Easier to Lie - Strange and Beautiful
02. 7 Keys - Words and Music
03. Brighter Than Sunshine - Strange and Beautiful
04. New Friend - Magnetic North
