You Are
We have the unique pleasure of hearing hundreds of stories a week. Hundreds of emails a day come across our screen, all of which are sharing a small piece of their life with us. Whether it be whimsical and light-hearted, dark and gloomy, or incredibly uplifting, we get a chance to hear more than just music. We get a chance to hear about people’s lives through their art. Today marks one of the more remarkable stories we’ve come across, as we take a deeper look into Jared Wohl.
Having previously worked with Wohl on his initial project, Farewell Luna, we had never known any of his backstory, until now. Eight months ago, this New Jersey native laid in the transplant unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital recovering from a traumatic surgery leaving him with only 35% of his liver. Just two years earlier, he had sat in the same hospital, undergoing extensive testing, which would reveal whether or not he could save his brother’s life. Cameron, Jared’s brother, has been living with a chronic, potentially fatal disease (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) for over a decade. The brothers soon realized that in addition to sharing the same birthday three years to the day, they would soon share something much more significant. On February 11th 2014, Jared successfully donated 65% of his liver to Cameron.
Going through a life experience like Jared did is sure to incite powerful life changes, which is why he has decided to reintroduce himself as a singer-songwriter, only this time, as himself. While he had a strong following under his previous moniker, the gravity of becoming a living organ donor, and inevitably saving his younger brother’s life, gave songwriting an entirely new meaning.
The title track for his new EP, which can be found on their upcoming documentary (trailer below), is premiering today here on The Music Ninja. Wohl once again reminds us of why we were drawn to him in the first place, effortlessly displaying his stunning vocal tone and range. Set to the backdrop of energetic percussion, some light and glowing guitar work, and a steady bassline “You Are” instantly hooks the listener in, commanding attention for the full five minute tune. While the focus on vocals is heavy in the beginning, the instrumentals ultimately catch up, leading way to a soulful outtro that leaves a lasting impression.
After you’ve listened through, take a moment to watch the trailer for the Wohl brother’s documentary below, which will ultimately shed light on their newly formed foundation, The Wave Set.