Production company Voyager is expanding their creative footprint into music, supporting the release of “So Glad You Are,” the debut album from Portland-based musician Jeff Melanson. Produced in close collaboration with longtime creative partner Calvin Pia of Felt Sound, the first single “Feels” is available now, with additional singles and music videos directed by Voyager’s Charles Frank, expected to roll out through the summer.
Set for release this fall, “So Glad You Are” marks the first full-length album for Melanson, who originally connected through Voyager’s creative network in New York before reconnecting again in Portland. Though both spent the last decade building careers across film and commercial production, the album marks a return to the music that first brought them together.
Voyager’s involvement began organically. After hearing early versions of the songs, Voyager Co-Founder Andrew Hutcheson offered to help bring the project to life, ultimately supporting the album’s production, creative development, visual content and release strategy in a role that functions much like an independent record label.
“For me, this album was about writing songs that felt honest, that encouraged people to get out of their heads and reconnect with themselves,” shares Melanson. “Some are deeply personal, others leave room for interpretation, but all of them come from a place of wanting to connect. I hope the songs can reach people and make them feel something in the way they do for me.”
Award-winning composer, cinematographer and multi-instrumentalist, Jeff Melanson has spent years creating music behind the scenes while scoring films and commercial projects. Following the release of his 2021 EP “Short Ends” and his score for Charles Frank’s feature documentary “Somewhere With No Bridges,” the album represents his first vocal album, bringing together folk, indie rock, singer-songwriter, and soulful influences, shaped by decades of creative work.
Calvin, an acclaimed sound designer, mixer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Brooklyn band Snowmine, served as Melanson's primary collaborator, contributing across writing, arranging, performance, production, and mixing.
“What’s better than getting to make art with your friends? Helping bring this album to life has been a constant source of joy for me all year long,” shares Voyager EP/Co-Founder Andrew Hutcheson. “Jeff and Calvin have cooked up something genuinely special, and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”