Indie rock singer-songwriter Idalee (aka Topher Hall) is making his debut with EP Starting Now, available via iTunes and Idalee.com starting March 4. In addition, Idalee has worked with non-profit organization, Prison Fellowship to record and release a music video and mini-documentary about the bonus single “Heal.” The video premiered on Caesar Live’n Loud and is featured in an interview that Idalee had with Laurie Fanelli from AXS.com. “Heal” is available to view, listen, and download for free at Idalee.com/heal.
Starting Now is a meaty, lyrically dense collection that includes such highlights as ‘Barbarian,’ ‘Some Day,’ ‘Home,’ and ‘Tree Got Rain.’ Idalee’s influences include Nirvana, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Imagine Dragons, as well as Cage The Elephant, Ben Folds, and Beck. The EP was produced by Ethan Kauffman (Ryan Cabrera) and mixed by Will Brierre (The Killers’ Grammy-nominated Hot Fuss, Imagine Dragons’ Nightvisions).
When visiting Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan in 2015, Idalee was deeply moved by what he saw. This trip inspired “Heal,” a raw, personal ode about redemption. Teaming up with Prison Fellowship, Idalee was granted exclusive access to a Texas prison to record the music video for “Heal” with a prisoner band. The resulting video not only features the song, but also provides an insider’s look into each of the prisoner’s emotional testimonials and deep connection they had with the song.
Prison Fellowship, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, is the nation’s largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners, and their families. It was founded on the belief that all people have inherent value, and no life is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Prison Fellowship is committed to helping restore all those affected by crime and incarceration. In 2015, the nonprofit was pleased to help Idalee film an inspirational documentary for his song, “Heal,” with talented musicians who are participating in one of its intensive prisoner reentry programs.
