Hexes and Ohs
Encyclopedia
Hexes & Ohs is a Canadian electronic indie pop
group from Montreal. Their sound combines 1980s inspired beats and synthesizer sounds with indie pop
structures and melodies.They have released three albums since 2005 and have opened for many artists such as Tokyo Police Club, Sloan, and Mates of State. The two members of Hexes and Ohs consist of Edmund Lam and Heidi Donnelly, who were highschool sweethearts with a passion to experiment musically and have together created a unique sound.
Edmund and Heidi persevered and created Hexes & Ohs shortly after A Vertical Mosaic was disbanded. They have always had an interest in music and a flare for experimenting with different sounds. In 2005 they released their debut album “Goodbye Friend, Welcome Lover” which consisted of songs recorded from their apartment. This unique collaboration of vocals, guitars, and the synthesizer started Hexes & Ohs on a journey of musical success and popularity. Their rise in popularity lead their debut album to peak on Canadian campus charts at number two nationally. Furthermore “Goodbye Friend, Welcome Lover” continued to remain within the top 10
Hexes & Ohs’ most current album “Bedroom Madness” which was released on September 2, 2008 has greatly evolved from their earlier music. With a sophisticated and edgy sound, Hexes & Ohs’ music is packed with strong beats, sharper melodies, and a bolder, more confident personality. Their songs have often been compared to music created by New Order, Postal Service, and Cut Copy. Over the past couple of decades, Hexes & Ohs has gained much experience and their songs now portray the intricacies of inspired musicianship without losing the depth and sincerity which has made them so popular with their fans.
As a side project Edmund Lam is also involved with a band called “You and Me”. You and Me focuses on intimate songs with rich vocal harmonies and classical accompaniments. Edmund Lam contributes to this band by playing the acoustic guitar.
Furthermore, both Edmund and Heidi were former members of the groups “Jolly Bean” and “A Vertical Mosaic.”
Heidi and Edmund got married in Montreal on July 31, 2010.
Compilations:
Indietronica
Indietronica is a music genre that combines indie, electronica, rock and pop music. Typical instruments used in indietronica music are electronic keyboard, synthesizer, sampler and drum machine...
group from Montreal. Their sound combines 1980s inspired beats and synthesizer sounds with indie pop
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
structures and melodies.They have released three albums since 2005 and have opened for many artists such as Tokyo Police Club, Sloan, and Mates of State. The two members of Hexes and Ohs consist of Edmund Lam and Heidi Donnelly, who were highschool sweethearts with a passion to experiment musically and have together created a unique sound.
History
Heidi Donnelly and Edmund Lam have been making music for around a decade. Their first musical endeavour was a pop quartet called Jolly Bean. While with this band Heidi and Edmund recorded two albums and through the 90’s transformed from an East Coast pop style to a more electric sound. While together, Jolly Bean experimented with different styles of music included pop, grunge, and electronic. However, Jolly Bean did not last and turned into a trio called “A Vertical Mosaic” in 1999. The band was soon signed by a Canadian record company called Noise Factory Records and continued to make catchy and sophisticated songs. A Vertical Mosaic built up a strong fan base, especially in the band’s city or origin, Montreal. Despite A Vertical Mosaic’s success, they disbanded in 2004 due to disagreements between the members.Edmund and Heidi persevered and created Hexes & Ohs shortly after A Vertical Mosaic was disbanded. They have always had an interest in music and a flare for experimenting with different sounds. In 2005 they released their debut album “Goodbye Friend, Welcome Lover” which consisted of songs recorded from their apartment. This unique collaboration of vocals, guitars, and the synthesizer started Hexes & Ohs on a journey of musical success and popularity. Their rise in popularity lead their debut album to peak on Canadian campus charts at number two nationally. Furthermore “Goodbye Friend, Welcome Lover” continued to remain within the top 10
Hexes & Ohs’ most current album “Bedroom Madness” which was released on September 2, 2008 has greatly evolved from their earlier music. With a sophisticated and edgy sound, Hexes & Ohs’ music is packed with strong beats, sharper melodies, and a bolder, more confident personality. Their songs have often been compared to music created by New Order, Postal Service, and Cut Copy. Over the past couple of decades, Hexes & Ohs has gained much experience and their songs now portray the intricacies of inspired musicianship without losing the depth and sincerity which has made them so popular with their fans.
Members
Edmund Lam and Heidi Donnelly make up the only two members of Hexes & Ohs. They are high school sweethearts who have lasted through the changing decades and still continue to create catchy and popular songs. When not busy with music, Edmund Lam is also a designer who specializes in websites and graphic design. Both instrumentally talented, Edmund and Heidi take turns playing guitar, bass, drums, synthesizers, laptop, and vocals. The couple have opened for Mates of State, Sloan, Aurevoir Simone, Tokyo Police Club, and Pony up! Heidi and Edmund have also performed at Pop Montreal, Canadian Music Week, North by Northeast, Halifax Pop Explosion, Ladyfest, and the CBC Radio 3 national tour.As a side project Edmund Lam is also involved with a band called “You and Me”. You and Me focuses on intimate songs with rich vocal harmonies and classical accompaniments. Edmund Lam contributes to this band by playing the acoustic guitar.
Furthermore, both Edmund and Heidi were former members of the groups “Jolly Bean” and “A Vertical Mosaic.”
Heidi and Edmund got married in Montreal on July 31, 2010.
Discography
Albums:- Goodbye Friend, Welcome Lover – Noise Factory Records, May 2005
- Motion K’Motion EP – Self Released Limited Edition Tour, August 2006
- Bedroom Madness – Noise Factory Records, September 2008
Compilations:
- Up.Remixed- Upstairs Recordings, 2008
- Fear of A Digital Planet-Vinyl Republik, 2006
- Québec Émergent 2006
- Ladyfest Ottawa Sampler- Basement Attic Records, 2005
- Noise Factory Sampler No.2- Noise Factory Records, 2005
- Suburban Rebels-Duotone Records, 2004