by Lisa DeAngelis
Sean Hopkins was not New Hope born and raised, but you’d never know it to talk to him, since the town has so significantly influenced his career as a singer and songwriter. “There really aren’t many towns left like New Hope,” he said. “It welcomes all perspectives and opinions and allows people from diverse backgrounds to find common ground and shared passions. That is a unique atmosphere in today’s society.” As a result, Sean lived in New Hope for 15 years and has remained in the nearby area of the past 10 years.
Sean mentions John and Peter’s as a major influence on his musical life. He described the nightclub as “a staple” for live music in New Hope. “It has a storied history with many artists making their way through that venue early in their careers. It is a magnet for local and touring musicians, and has a look, feel, and vibe that can never be replicated. Over the years, I have performed there with other bands, supporting other artists and on my own. I look forward to having the opportunity to showcase my newer music there in the future.”
At one point in his career, Sean put music “on the back burner.” He explained, “As with all things in life, priorities change, and after achieving a fair amount of success with my post-punk alternative band, Stranger to Stranger, I refocused on family and raising my two boys. After more than two decades away from music, a friend encouraged me to rediscover that guy inside of me who needed a creative outlet. That was the beginning of my rebirth as a musician.”
Sean is best known now as a folk and alternative singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Chasing Ghosts In The Dark, his first album, was released in 2022 to critical acclaim. Top Buzz Magazine said, “It’s not very often you come across an album as cohesive yet varied as Sean Hopkins debut. Strongly recommended.” Pitch Perfect awarded it Top Album of 2022, and the critic said, “I found myself not wanting this album to end. It is consistent, extremely well-written and gave me a calm feeling. That is the mark of a great album and a great artist.”
Hopkins found inspiration for that album in many places: Sitting in his reading room while rain poured down, drinking his morning coffee from a friend’s stoop and watching church goers gather, seeing a hummingbird repeatedly come and go, and meandering the beaches and forests of Costa Rica.
Sean’s second album, Pictures of Nothing, will be released on October 15, and will be available on all major platforms. He described the song arrangements on his second album as being a bit more complex. “These songs speak to relationships, the need to be attentive and nurture those relationships, and the rewards that come from being able to express and accept the love of others.”
“This album was two years in the making as I explored the depths and nuances of human interaction. I love the personal aspect of being a singer songwriter and portraying the world as I see it through my own eyes.”
Reflecting on his process, he explained, “You don’t just wake up one morning and become a singer songwriter. You need to become a voyeur, observing human interactions and then reducing those experiences into lyrics and music.”
Sean will be playing East Coast shows in the fourth quarter of 2024 in support of this second album. Upcoming performances include (with additional shows to be added):
- October 2: Rockwood Music Hall-New York City- 6 pm
- October 6: Starving Artist Café-Stockton, NJ -3pm
- November 23: Café Improv-Princeton, NJ- Time TBD
New Hope has been so much a part of Sean’s life and work that he said, “I would highly encourage any aspiring artist to put New Hope on their radar. While it is located squarely between New York City and Philadelphia, and as a performer, those are two very enticing markets to try to conquer, there are reasons beyond that, reasons why many city dwellers migrate to New Hope: It’s pure. It’s eclectic. It’s home.”
Sean’s new album, to be officially released October 15, can be streamed or purchased on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Pandora and at seanhopkins.bandcamp.com. His 2022 release, Chasing Ghosts in the Dark is already available on all these platforms.