Few artists have the right to call themselves a pillar of Boston music, but Tim Hall has long had that title on lock. As a session musician and saxophonist (and poet… and educator….) whose suave sophistication has decorated projects from Cliff Notez, Optic Bloom, Doom Lover, Noel Pancho, and of course, STL GLD, Hall’s myriad contributions keep him embedded in the bedrock of the local arts scene. That’s why it makes perfect sense that — technically — a rock kickstarted his newest project.
Before there was Trust The Process, the EP (released February 8) or Trust The Process, the book, there was a “Trust the Process” painted across a small rock: A gift for Hall from a professor at Berklee College of Music. It shared a phrase that would shape Hall’s career for years to come.
“It was a message that connected with me deeply,” Hall shares with Vanyaland. “I was taking this class as a learning opportunity for me to explore my writing skills for the page and wanted to write a book of poems. That message became the title of my self-published book which was also accompanied by my first EP, Colors of My Soul. I felt encouraged, supported, and validated that my journey was mine to experience, write, and share. Additionally, I became more serious about owning the identity of an artist and defining how I would engage with my gifts which helped me take more risks and challenged me to listen to myself more.”
The message takes on an even more complex meaning this week upon the release of Hall’s EP, which soundtracks the poetry of Trust The Process with soulful instrumentation. The project’s three new songs animate Hall’s breadth as an artist, adding a soothing extra dimension to his musings about family ties, mindfulness, and winding creative journeys.
“I wanted people to hear the fusion of my storytelling and musical ear, and be immersed in a space that allows them to zone the world out while connecting with the most important person in the room — themselves,” he explains.
This new layer of Trust The Process allowed Hall to better connect with himself, too, as he leads by example and wrestles the nagging weight of imposter syndrome out of the picture.
“I have over a decade of experience as a performing musician and still find myself wading through insecurities,” Hall notes. “Surrounding myself with people I care about who both encourage and challenge me to grow, saying yes to opportunities I know will stretch me, and reflecting on ‘wins and losses’ as a way of bettering myself have been mindsets I’ve used to overcome the negative inner voice.”
And while those supportive friends and gut feelings may guide his progress at times, Hall’s EP ultimately proves that creative confidence is a choice. After all, self-doubt has no place in the process. Trust Hall on this one.
Tune in below.