SONG OF THE DAY
“My Father’s Waltz” by Hem (Eveningland, Rounder Records, 2004).
INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)
– Hem is an indie folk-rock band from New York City, United States.
РBand members include Sally Ellyson (vocals), Dan Mess̩ (piano, accordion, glockenspiel), Gary Maurer (guitar, mandolin), Steve Curtis (guitar, mandolin, banjo, back-up vocals), George Rush (bass guitar), Mark Brotter (drums), Bob Hoffnar (pedal steel guitar), and Heather Zimmerman (violin).
– In 1999, songwriter Dan Messé and producer Gary Maurer teamed up and decided to produce a record. A mutual friend, Steve Curtis, joined them. None of them knew any potential singing talents for the band, so they placed an advertisement in The Village Voice. Overwhelmed by an onslaught of bizarre and unlistenable demo tapes, the three friends soon abandoned their quest. Months later Sally Ellyson called Messé in response to the ad, cautioning that she wasn’t really a “singer”. A skeptical Messé asked Ellyson for a demo tape and was greatly surprised when he heard the very spare recording, which featured Ellyson’s a cappella renditions of several old-time lullabies that she had recorded for the infant son of a long-time friend. Messé was impressed — and Hem had finally found itself a singer.
– Eveningland capitalized on the success of Rabbit Songs, enjoying positive reviews in the U.S. from the likes of Pitchfork Media as well as from international media outlets, such as the BBC.
– The band provided the music for the 2009 Public Theatre production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, featuring Anne Hathaway in the role of Viola.
– The band received a nomination for Outstanding Music in a Play for the 2009/2010 Drama Desk Awards.
– Eveningland is the second album by indie folk group Hem.
– It was released on Rounder Records after a delay caused by the folding of the Dreamworks music division.
– The album features a cover of Johnny Cash’s famous song “Jackson,” as well as more orchestral arrangements, a change from the sometimes-stark instrumentation of their previous album, Rabbit Songs.
– The album features backing vocal contributions from multi-instrumentalist Dawn Landes on a number of songs, and singer-songwriter Josh Rouse on “Carry Me Home.”
– “Pacific Street” was used in a Series 3 episode of “Everwood”.