The HillBenders Announce
‘Can You Hear Me?’
High-Octane Blugrass Quintet’s
Compass debut album out Sept. 25th,
Seeking radio adds Sept 17th
(Nashville, TN) Sept 12, 2012:
“This
is awesome – Ladies and gentlemen, once again, The HillBenders!” The
shouts and cheers of the 2012 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival attendees fill
the tent as the band tunes up for their encore. The guitarist,
sporting a headband and John Lennon sunglasses, approaches the
microphone.
is awesome – Ladies and gentlemen, once again, The HillBenders!” The
shouts and cheers of the 2012 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival attendees fill
the tent as the band tunes up for their encore. The guitarist,
sporting a headband and John Lennon sunglasses, approaches the
microphone.
“Folks, we apologize in advance if one of us falls into your tent…we plan on playing all night tonight!”
The supercharged crowd roars in response.
This
is the typical energy of any HillBenders performance. The dynamic
bluegrass quintet from Springfield, MO with their high-octane shows,
tight harmonies and stunning instrumental prowess, have been winning
fans and making waves at every festival they have been invited, and
consequently re-invited to since their formation in 2008. Recently
signed to Nashville-based roots music label Compass Records, the
HillBenders will release Can You Hear Me? on September 25th,
presenting an intensely charismatic album imbued with the spirit and
energy of their live shows. “Our music appeals to anyone that can enjoy a
fun performance. We share a passion for the music, a passion to
perform,” says guitarist Jim Rea, “It’s evident we have fun on stage.
People come up to us and say sarcastically, ‘liven up!’” Click to stream the album.
is the typical energy of any HillBenders performance. The dynamic
bluegrass quintet from Springfield, MO with their high-octane shows,
tight harmonies and stunning instrumental prowess, have been winning
fans and making waves at every festival they have been invited, and
consequently re-invited to since their formation in 2008. Recently
signed to Nashville-based roots music label Compass Records, the
HillBenders will release Can You Hear Me? on September 25th,
presenting an intensely charismatic album imbued with the spirit and
energy of their live shows. “Our music appeals to anyone that can enjoy a
fun performance. We share a passion for the music, a passion to
perform,” says guitarist Jim Rea, “It’s evident we have fun on stage.
People come up to us and say sarcastically, ‘liven up!’” Click to stream the album.
Thus the challenge in recording Can You Hear Me?” was
clear — the band had to capture their undeniable live appeal on the
twelve tracks, eight of which are originals. Lead singer and mandolinist
Nolan Lawrence with Jim Rea and his cousin Gary Rea on guitar and bass
respectively, banjoist Mark Cassidy and Dobroist Chad “Gravy Boat”
Graves channeled the rawness and intensity of bands like Newgrass
Revival into the carefully executed arrangements. They worked closely
with roots music engineer and producer Bil VornDick for an album that
aligned their diverse tastes and styles while showcasing the collective
talent of each band member, including a grassified cover of the
Romantics’ “Talking in Your Sleep” and Hal Ketchum’s country hit, “Past
the Point of Rescue,” which includes a samba-grass breakdown after the
second chorus.
clear — the band had to capture their undeniable live appeal on the
twelve tracks, eight of which are originals. Lead singer and mandolinist
Nolan Lawrence with Jim Rea and his cousin Gary Rea on guitar and bass
respectively, banjoist Mark Cassidy and Dobroist Chad “Gravy Boat”
Graves channeled the rawness and intensity of bands like Newgrass
Revival into the carefully executed arrangements. They worked closely
with roots music engineer and producer Bil VornDick for an album that
aligned their diverse tastes and styles while showcasing the collective
talent of each band member, including a grassified cover of the
Romantics’ “Talking in Your Sleep” and Hal Ketchum’s country hit, “Past
the Point of Rescue,” which includes a samba-grass breakdown after the
second chorus.
The
album-opening “Train Whistle,” is a rambling train song, a staple to
the bluegrass band, though the band hesitates the genre distinction.
“Bluegrass is where we found our voice as performers, so we feel like we
owe a lot to it. We have one foot in bluegrass all the time while the
other is reaching out and exploring our interests in rock and roll,
jazz, funk and Americana,” says Chad. By winning the Telluride Bluegrass
Band Competition in 2009 and the National Single Microphone
Championship the following year, the band became favorites on the
bluegrass festival scene with their own brand of acoustic fusion. “A lot
of people, even at the more traditional festivals, tell us ‘You guys
are so fun to listen to!’ This comes from the die-hard traditionalists.
They are saying that it is really refreshing to see something new. At
the same time we’re not afraid to be looked down upon – all of that
formality melts away when we just be ourselves.”
album-opening “Train Whistle,” is a rambling train song, a staple to
the bluegrass band, though the band hesitates the genre distinction.
“Bluegrass is where we found our voice as performers, so we feel like we
owe a lot to it. We have one foot in bluegrass all the time while the
other is reaching out and exploring our interests in rock and roll,
jazz, funk and Americana,” says Chad. By winning the Telluride Bluegrass
Band Competition in 2009 and the National Single Microphone
Championship the following year, the band became favorites on the
bluegrass festival scene with their own brand of acoustic fusion. “A lot
of people, even at the more traditional festivals, tell us ‘You guys
are so fun to listen to!’ This comes from the die-hard traditionalists.
They are saying that it is really refreshing to see something new. At
the same time we’re not afraid to be looked down upon – all of that
formality melts away when we just be ourselves.”
The
HillBenders recognize their ability to bridge the gap between the
common music consumer and the bluegrass genre, selecting material for
the album that defies any hillbilly stigmas. Nolan comments, “With our
widely varied influences, we’re all trying to bring in songs that unify.
We wanted to pair bluegrass with the other American music we grew up
with —rock and roll!” Their festival appearances also reflect the
crossover; the band recently played the very traditional Gettysburg
Bluegrass Festival and the esteemed Philadelphia Folk Festival on back
to bay days on the same weekend.
HillBenders recognize their ability to bridge the gap between the
common music consumer and the bluegrass genre, selecting material for
the album that defies any hillbilly stigmas. Nolan comments, “With our
widely varied influences, we’re all trying to bring in songs that unify.
We wanted to pair bluegrass with the other American music we grew up
with —rock and roll!” Their festival appearances also reflect the
crossover; the band recently played the very traditional Gettysburg
Bluegrass Festival and the esteemed Philadelphia Folk Festival on back
to bay days on the same weekend.
Still,
the heart of the new album draws from the band’s live performances.
Nolan adds, “If the music isn’t played with intensity, you can tell. You
have to play the music with that passion or it just isn’t going to
sound right.” Can You Hear Me? is an album that showcases a young band with ambition and talent at a volume that comes across loud and clear.
the heart of the new album draws from the band’s live performances.
Nolan adds, “If the music isn’t played with intensity, you can tell. You
have to play the music with that passion or it just isn’t going to
sound right.” Can You Hear Me? is an album that showcases a young band with ambition and talent at a volume that comes across loud and clear.