Dream Song by Jared Saltiel
Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Jared Saltiel can often be found working behind the scenes, channeling his talents as a string arranger, producer, and composer for the stage. A manic multi-instrumentalist in the vein of Jon Brion, his original music taps into his gifts for orchestration and atmospherics, receiving comparisons to chamber pop icons Rufus Wainwright and Sufjan Stevens. With his acerbic wit and crafty narrative constructions, Saltiel is a compelling lyricist and an unapologetic perfectionist.
A soul-searching record written entirely during the peak of social distancing, the shadow of unprocessed grief hangs over this haunting new collection of songs, ranging in style from spacey indie rock to baroque singer-songwriter pop. Performing the vast majority of the instrumentation himself, Saltiel worked with producer/engineer and longtime collaborator Ken Rich (Ingrid Michaelson, Son Lux) to help craft the detailed sonic textures.
Despite the rich, full-bodied sound, Dream Song is a very intimate affair, with the only other contributors being Maxim Moston on violin (Antony & the Johnsons, Rufus Wainwright), and Emily Hope Price on cello (Pearl & the Beard, Kishi Bashi). No matter the topic, be it ghosts, fascists, infatuation, or Exodus, these songs seek out disquieting ambiguities with uncompromising honesty.
Of the EP, Saltiel shares: “There’s a throughline of deeply penetrating introspection in these songs. There’s very little that’s performative or self-conscious about the material; it’s like the songs are not concerned with the outside world, only interested in going deeper. And I think this record manages to exist in that space without feeling self-indulgent because there’s that sense that nobody’s watching. It’s just a sincere attempt to process some really heavy experiences.”
Tracklist
| 1. | Tree of Life | 4:05 |
| 2. | Infinite Mercy | 2:42 |
| 3. | Dead or Alive | 4:38 |
| 4. | Folie à Deux | 3:28 |
| 5. | A Stranger, Your Name | 4:31 |
Credits
All songs composed by Jared Saltiel (BMI)
Produced by Jared Saltiel and Ken Rich
Mixed and engineered by Ken Rich at Grand Street Recording in Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by Alex DeTurk at the Bunker Studios in Brooklyn, NY
Jared Saltiel - vocals, guitars, keyboards, drums, vibraphone, percussion
Ken Rich - bass
Maxim Moston - violin on 1, 2, 4
Emily Hope Price - cello on 5
String arrangements on 1, 2, 4 by Jared Saltiel
String arrangement on 5 by Emily Hope Price
Additional arranging by Maxim Moston
Additional recording by Jared Saltiel
Layout and design by Sun Queen Designs
Album photography by Savannah Lauren
2023 Adhyâropa Records
License
All rights reserved.
Jared Saltiel is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, NY. Always a clever lyricist and imaginative storyteller, Saltiel's rich orchestrations elevate his musical narratives with cinematic overtones. With his upcoming EP No Heroes, Saltiel channels the 2020 zeitgeist with emotional intelligence, skillful songwriting, and evocative production.