Sean’s fifth and newest release, Flowering Spade (2007), marks the first time Hayes has ever recorded in a studio. Basic tracks, overdubs and mixing all happened in the same room where Van Morrison, Santana, the Grateful Dead, Credence Clearwater Revival and many others made magic in the 60’s and 70’s. Most of the album was recorded live in the studio. Hayes authored all thirteen songs, whose arrangements and melodies span the gamut from raucously hip-quaking to tenderly heart-breaking – and leave you humming along for days. To help bring Flowering Spade to life, Hayes called in amazing players like Ches Smith, Shahzad Ismaily, Devin Hoff, Todd Roper, Ara Anderson, Rob Reich, and David Boyce from the avant-garde jazz and post-rock scenes of NYC, LA and San Francisco. Combined, they’ve played with the likes of Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog, Nels Cline Singers, Xui Xui, Cake, Tom Waits, Tin Hat, OK GO, Gaucho and Broun Fellinis.