Color Theory
Encyclopedia
Color Theory is the musical alter ego of American singer-keyboardist-songwriter Brian Hazard. Hazard has released eight studio albums, four EPs
, and one collection of demos to date. His eighth studio album The Sound was released on August 4, 2010.
. The following year he enrolled in songwriting and recording classes at Golden West College
, and began writing songs for the first Color Theory album, Sketches in Grey.
included "Heart Like a Doll" on its first release, Rise! America's Synthpop Underground, that Color Theory was exposed to the small but dedicated modern synthpop scene.
Hazard began performing Color Theory material live after the release of 1997's Tuesday Song, which includes "The Perfect Song", first performed as a proposal to now-wife Michelle. Hazard long considered 1999's Perfect Tears his best work, representing the culmination of the "electronic piano pop" sound he'd worked six years to refine. 2001's Life's Fairytale explored mostly piano-less electronic textures, representing a significant change of course from earlier material. But the biggest change came with 2002's Something Beautiful, a fully acoustic recording featuring legendary drummer Jonathan Moffett, fretless bassist Baba Elefante, a string quartet, flute, harp, and Hazard on piano and vibraphone. Twenty-six weekly demo recordings were posted on the web as part of the “Bad Song of the Week” project, which allowed fans to vote for their favorites and decide which songs would ultimately be included on the album. These demos were released as a limited edition two-disc set entitled Like Clockwork.
2003 brought another sharp directional change with Color Theory presents Depeche Mode
, a one-man tribute to Depeche Mode
. In addition to eleven Depeche Mode covers and two new instrumental interludes, the album includes "Ponytail Girl", a Color Theory original that was mislabeled and widely circulated on file sharing networks as a Depeche Mode track from their yet to be released Exciter
album. Hazard's voice is said to resemble that of Martin Gore
, which has confused Depeche fans.
Five years in the making, 2008's The Thought Chapter contains a Death Cab for Cutie
cover and eleven new originals. “If It's My Time to Go” won both a Lennon Award and the Grand Prize in the Electronic category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest
. Judged by music industry veterans and recording artists such as Bob Weir
, The Veronicas
, and Al Jarreau
, the Lennon contest is one of today’s most prestigious international songwriting competitions. Hazard received over $8,500 in cash and musical equipment in connection with the awards, as well as free CD manufacturing for 2010’s The Sound. Color Theory’s eighth full-length album features nine new originals and a cover of “Living a Boy’s Adventure Tale” by synthpop legends a-ha
.
Songs from The Thought Chapter and The Sound have been featured on the MTV
shows Styl'd and The Real World
, as well as the video game Rock Band
. The two albums also garnered Best Electronic nominations in the 2009 and 2010 OC Music Awards.
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, and one collection of demos to date. His eighth studio album The Sound was released on August 4, 2010.
Biography
Hazard, the sole member of Color Theory, began studying the piano at the relatively late age of thirteen. He took lessons on and off through his high school years, while playing piano in the school jazz band and mallet percussion in the drumline. In 1992, Hazard was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from California State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
. The following year he enrolled in songwriting and recording classes at Golden West College
Golden West College
Golden West College or GWC, is a community college providing two-year associate of arts degrees, and lower-division classes transferable to other colleges and universities...
, and began writing songs for the first Color Theory album, Sketches in Grey.
Recordings
Sketches in Grey was a local success when it was released in 1994, quickly selling out the first pressing. But it wasn't until fledgling label A Different DrumA Different Drum
A Different Drum is an independent record label and online store based in the US state of Utah, specializing in synthpop and related genres...
included "Heart Like a Doll" on its first release, Rise! America's Synthpop Underground, that Color Theory was exposed to the small but dedicated modern synthpop scene.
Hazard began performing Color Theory material live after the release of 1997's Tuesday Song, which includes "The Perfect Song", first performed as a proposal to now-wife Michelle. Hazard long considered 1999's Perfect Tears his best work, representing the culmination of the "electronic piano pop" sound he'd worked six years to refine. 2001's Life's Fairytale explored mostly piano-less electronic textures, representing a significant change of course from earlier material. But the biggest change came with 2002's Something Beautiful, a fully acoustic recording featuring legendary drummer Jonathan Moffett, fretless bassist Baba Elefante, a string quartet, flute, harp, and Hazard on piano and vibraphone. Twenty-six weekly demo recordings were posted on the web as part of the “Bad Song of the Week” project, which allowed fans to vote for their favorites and decide which songs would ultimately be included on the album. These demos were released as a limited edition two-disc set entitled Like Clockwork.
2003 brought another sharp directional change with Color Theory presents Depeche Mode
Color Theory presents Depeche Mode
Color Theory presents Depeche Mode is a tribute album by Brian Hazard's Color Theory, published in 2003 as a one-man effort based in covers from British band Depeche Mode....
, a one-man tribute to Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
. In addition to eleven Depeche Mode covers and two new instrumental interludes, the album includes "Ponytail Girl", a Color Theory original that was mislabeled and widely circulated on file sharing networks as a Depeche Mode track from their yet to be released Exciter
Exciter (album)
Exciter is Depeche Mode's tenth studio album, which was released on 14 May 2001 in the UK and May 15 in the US. It uses more digital music technology compared to their other albums. It was produced by Mark Bell of Björk and LFO fame...
album. Hazard's voice is said to resemble that of Martin Gore
Martin Gore
Martin Lee Gore is an English songwriter, lyricist, singer, guitarist, keyboardist, remixer and DJ. He is a founding member of Depeche Mode and has written the vast majority of their songs...
, which has confused Depeche fans.
Five years in the making, 2008's The Thought Chapter contains a Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie
Death Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
cover and eleven new originals. “If It's My Time to Go” won both a Lennon Award and the Grand Prize in the Electronic category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest
John Lennon Songwriting Contest
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest, named for the former member of The Beatles, is a songwriting competition for songwriters, open to amateurs and professionals. The contest accepts instrumental pieces as well as songs with a vocal component. Though all entries must include a CD, cassette, or...
. Judged by music industry veterans and recording artists such as Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
, The Veronicas
The Veronicas
The Veronicas are an Australian electrorock, pop-punk and rock band. Twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso formed the band in 1999 in Brisbane. They have their own line of clothing which was released in 2007....
, and Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau
Alwin "Al" Lopez Jarreau is a seven-time Grammy Award winning jazz singer.- Background :Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, the fifth of six children. His web site refers to Reservoir, Inc., the name of the street where he lived. His father was a Seventh-Day Adventist Church minister and singer, and...
, the Lennon contest is one of today’s most prestigious international songwriting competitions. Hazard received over $8,500 in cash and musical equipment in connection with the awards, as well as free CD manufacturing for 2010’s The Sound. Color Theory’s eighth full-length album features nine new originals and a cover of “Living a Boy’s Adventure Tale” by synthpop legends a-ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
.
Songs from The Thought Chapter and The Sound have been featured on the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
shows Styl'd and The Real World
The Real World
The Real World is a reality television program on MTV originally produced by Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray. First broadcast in 1992, the show, which was inspired by the 1973 PBS documentary series An American Family, is the longest-running program in MTV history and one of the...
, as well as the video game Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
. The two albums also garnered Best Electronic nominations in the 2009 and 2010 OC Music Awards.
Studio Albums
- Sketches in Grey (1994) - reissued (1999)
- Tuesday Song (1997)
- Perfect Tears (1999)
- Life's Fairytale (2001)
- Something Beautiful (2002)
- Color Theory presents Depeche ModeColor Theory presents Depeche ModeColor Theory presents Depeche Mode is a tribute album by Brian Hazard's Color Theory, published in 2003 as a one-man effort based in covers from British band Depeche Mode....
(2003) - The Thought Chapter (2008)
- The Sound (2010)
EPs
- Covers & Rarities (2006)
- Second Thoughts (2009)
- The Silence (2010)
- The Silence + Second Thoughts (2011)