Charissa Hoffman “Love is an Ocean”
Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Charissa Hoffman’s song “Love is an Ocean” from her forthcoming album Horizon, which is set for release on October 16. was produced by John Mailander, engineered by Daniel Rice, and mastered by Mike Monseur. It was recorded by Daniel Rice at Soundwave Recording & Gravity Boots Recording.
Love is an Ocean is Charissa Hoffman on vocals and ukulele; Harry Bartlett on guitar; Larry Cook on bass; Béla Fleck on banjo; and Nina de Vitry on harmony vocals.
As Charissa tells us about the song, “This one almost didn’t make it on the record, but it ended up being one of my favorites when we finished tracking. I see two ideas playing out; the lyric “I was all right then/I will be yet” is about faith in one’s own resilience. But the line immediately following, “Love is an ocean/There is a tide,” is about surrendering and trusting the process. In my life I’ve had to hold each of those truths – that I can pick myself up and reinvent myself as many times as needed, but Love will always lead me back where I belong. It’s comforting to believe that I can’t stray too far; any choice I make will eventually lead me in the right direction. But at the same time, we get to choose our paths and sometimes take the long way home! I think the 7/8 feel and ambiguous harmony complements those conflicting but coexisting ideas. At least, that was the goal.”
The gentlest ukulele sets the tone for this song of resolving dichotomies: there’s resilience and self-reliance, and there’s letting go to trust the process. Charissa’s vocals are sweet and reflective and the song takes an easy pace with complex interplay and gentle melodies.
You can find the music here: https://tr.ee/U0OlNmZ0q3