Charles Spearin, best known for his work with Toronto-based bands Do Make Say Think and Broken Social Scene, has been
performing samples of The Happiness Project live during Broken Social Scene concerts this past year, offering insight into the
inspiration and concept of the album, Charles explains the idea behind the project,

A year or so ago I began inviting some of my neighbours over to the house for a casual interview vaguely centered around the
subject of happiness. In some cases we never broached the subject directly but nonetheless my friends began to call it my "Happiness Project?."   
After each interview Spearin would listen back to the recording and examine the thoughts expressed. In addition, he listened for a natural
melody and cadence to the speaking voices of his neighbours as they each discussed their views on ?happiness?.  With The Happiness
Project, Spearin blurs the line between speaking and singing - life and art - and writes music based on these accidental melodies. With the
help of some of his musician friends, Charles plays the instruments to match these natural neighbourhood melodies inspired by thought
and happiness and then, as Charles concludes, ?I arranged them as though they were songs. All of the melodies on this album are the
melodies of every day life.? 

http://www.happiness-project.ca