This is What Ted Does: A Review of Ted Hajnasiewicz’s Upcoming Album

[Poster courtesy of Ted Hajnasiewicz]

Whenever he plays music, Ted’s goal is to entertain so well that he leaves an audience better than when he found it.

Ted Hajnasiewicz was a musician in the Minneapolis scene in high school, but stepped away for a few years before returning to music in 2018. Upon his comeback, Ted’s first two singles, “This Town is Not for Me” and “If I Could Leave This Place Tomorrow” garnered the attention necessary to land him several local and state-wide shows throughout the year.

Ted only has plans to keep moving up: On January 18th, 2019, he plans to release an album, “This Is What I Do,” which he views as a sort of greatest hits package, compiling all of his favorite songs into one album.

While you’ll have to wait until the eighteenth to hear Ted’s complete work of art, there are a few songs that deserve an early spotlight.

I love the whole vibe surrounding “Wedding Coat,” the third song on the album. The instrumentals start very minimalistic, giving the song a bit of a foreboding sense. The lyrics match, painting a picture of a character yearning for something better in a “cold” world. Despite the sadness that comes with the territory of the song, it is very energetic and features unique and well-balanced mixes. It doesn’t sound like anything I’ve ever heard before.

“Stars and the Sea” was another stand-out song for me. Its peppy textured layers made it perfect for a dance with a loved one under a bright summer night sky. While all of the tracks of the album possess a vigor found only in the most enthusiastic musicians’ work, this track really shone bright in terms of zest and sparkle.

The final track of the album, “Burning Bridges” is a great track to finish things off. While I would have liked the instrumental to be higher in the mix in the beginning, I really enjoyed the energy behind the folk-rock sound of the mix. The tone of the guitar stood out, complementing Ted’s vocals and bringing the album to a close with a surprising, sudden halt.

To help celebrate the release of “This Is What I Do,” join Ted for a party at 318 Cafe in Excelsior, Minnesota on January 23rd.