The Act of Loving You is an extension of Odessa Chen’s creative efforts with classical musicians, and a concise expression of her vital and heartfelt form of chamber-pop. In collaboration with composer/arranger Max Stoffregen, drums and bass were replaced by an ensemble of string quartet, 2 bass clarinets, vibraphone and piano, and her voice given focus and illumination against a vibrant backdrop of acoustic instruments. Recorded straight to tape at Tiny Telephone by Jay Pellicci, the album has the energy, character and wonderful imperfection that only honest analog recording can bring out. The Invisible Stories Ensemble are: — Max Stoffregen – piano, arrangements Calisa Hildebrand – flute (on “Spring Comes on”) Emily Packard – violin Natasha Makhijani – violin Ivo Bokulic – viola Shaina Evoniuk – viola (on “The Act of Loving You”) Adaiha MacAdam-Somer – violincello Jon Russell – bass clarinet Jeff Anderle – bass clarinet Jordan Glenn – vibes + percussion (on “The Act of Loving You”, “Our Hearts’, Boom Boom”) Andy Meyerson – vibes (on “Spring Comes on”, “Objects May Be Closer”) — recorded and mixed by Jay Pellicci at Tiny Telephone. — special thanks to: Jamie Riotto, Jason Slota, Ian Bjornstad, Mason Lindahl, DoubleTake violins, Ian Pellicci, John Vanderslice, and all our heroic supporters who helped make this album a reality.