{"product_id":"imaginary-people","title":"Imaginary People","description":"\u003cp\u003eCharlie Martin is a Texan artist and producer. Six years ago, Charlie and collaborator Will Taylor combined likeminded batches of material to form the Austin-based project Hovvdy. During a year without touring, between sessions for the steady indie-pop band’s next album, Charlie reworked songs amassed over the years alongside new creations. A hand-hewn set of colourful tales, \u003ci\u003eImaginary People\u003c\/i\u003e introduces a spacious, singer-songwriter format to Charlie’s celebrated pop compositions. Elegant piano lines and sturdy acoustic strums anchor the brilliantly determined solo debut. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWelcoming and sympathetic, the collection of \u003ci\u003eImaginary People\u003c\/i\u003e teems with a community of characters in daily scenes of compassion. There’s the reliable Madison, a childhood best friend, or the large-looming Mister Heavy, an ethical compass of sorts. Shouldering the weight of the world, he stands in for religion and other archetypal influences. Much like the vivid album artwork, Charlie’s moral allegories land somewhere between Richard Scarry and Steinbeck. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReturning to rootsy influences, Charlie’s gentle Southern tone paints in the timeless tradition of an Arthur Russell or Jon Brion. The artist travelled to Mississippi, where he and his wife both have familial ties, to record on an 1870s Steinway grand piano at his mother-in-law’s house. Charlie says it’s “the first piano I ever really fell in love with.” A large room opened up the wistful melodies with engineer Evan Kaspar. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween trips to L.A. for work on the fourth Hovvdy LP, solo recording wrapped at Austin's Estuary Recording. Streamlined arrangements allow for an earnest, unfiltered presentation of \u003ci\u003eImaginary People\u003c\/i\u003e. The songs are reminders to stand firm and grounded. The exuberant rush of “September” sets an intention for a new chapter. In “Courage,” it is artistic fortification – “a song you made up \/ it takes courage \/ a poem \/ it takes courage.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50489235472715,"sku":"1152624","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/74358646-b1eb-4848-9c52-ce0f01b8870c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727640194","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/products\/imaginary-people","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}