Singer/songwriter Neal Hagberg, Class of 1981, has been awarded a McKnight Composition Fellowship for 2010. Rarely given to a singer/songwriter, Hagberg received the $25,000 fellowship to “continue and expand the creative work he has been doing with his solo cd project It’s Not As Simple As It Seems.” This is Hagberg’s second McKnight Fellowship. The first, a McKnight Performing Artists Fellowship, was granted in 2003 to the Neal & Leandra (Leandra Peak, Class of 1983) duo.
Hagberg has been writing and producting his music for more than 20 years. Together with Leandra, he has released 11 cds and performed throughout the US and Canada. He received the 2010 McKnight grant both as a recognition of his past work and to offer an opportunity to continue the exploration of social justice issues of our time that he began with It’s Not As Simple As It Seems. More than just a collection of his work, the recording enters into a discussion of the issues and provides an opportunity for dialogue free from the lack of civility that is so often a consequence of the discussion. The 14 songs in It’s Not As Simple As It Seems put a human face on the issues which range from prejudice to suffering, abortion, homosexuality, immigration and war.
His work took an unexpected turn during a recent visit to Chicago as he came face to face with homelessness. On the visit Neal learned of one homeless man’s journey through a life filled with love, violence and a series of mistakes. As Neal wrote in his statement for the grant, he decided to “create an entire cd about one person’s life…(to) illuminate the complexities of homelessness through that one person’s eyes. One life — starting with a lullaby at birth, going through the twists and turns of life that brought him to where he is now.”
Describing the project and the process is, like the title, not as simple as it seems. Analyzing success or determining the direction that it takes, is anyone’s guess. Although he remains uncertain of how the audience will respond, Neal is determined to continue on this musical journey and to use his music to open the sometimes uncomfortable discussions. It is both daunting and exciting but he sees the dialogue he initiates as a reward in itself.
Those who know the music of Neal & Leandra and hear It’s Not As Simple As It Seems will certainly recognize Neal’s voice, his guitar and his musical style. They may see the music as a departure from the music which set Neal & Leandra among today’s premier folk singers unless they listen closely to the words. “Life isn’t always what we expect” is a familiar theme (listen closely to Old Love or Rich). “The hurtful things we’ve said and done,” from Is That What It’s All About, speaks to acceptance and forgiveness and Broken’s “there’s nowhere to go but forward now” points us forward with optimism and perseverance.
It’s Not As Simple As It Seems is simply the next step in that direction.
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