Hem
iaian7 » blog John Einselen, 6.12.06It always makes me sad when I discover an amazing Indie band merely because they’ve finally gained larger audiences. They were amazing before, why can’t people find them?
Ben Wolken recently gave me the heads up on Hem. As a modern folk band, they’re one of the best I’ve heard. Similar in acoustic themes to Nickel Creek, but with more classical, country, and pop influences (if that makes sense). They’ve just recently garnered a lot of popularity with the Liberty Mutual Ad. While discussing what music to use, someone at the Hill|Holliday advertising company brought up Hem, and suggested they listen a bit. Needless to say, it was the perfect sound for the commercial, and they procured rights to a song from Hem’s 2001 Rabbit Songs.
The selected song, Half Acre, is just incredible. Not much more to say; the instrumentals, the vocals, it all comes together with haunting beauty. No wonder everyone’s suddenly clamoring to find out more about this band! You can listen to a couple tracks (including Half Acre) on Hem’s MySpace page, or go through some of their live recordings courtesy the Live Music Archive and a compilation list by Duke of Straw.
Enjoy!
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