Hymns (band)
Encyclopedia
Hymns is an indie rock
band based in Brooklyn
, NY. Originally consisting of North Carolina
natives Brian Harding (vocals
, guitar
) and Jason Roberts (guitar
, wurlitzer
), the band picked up Texas
-based rockers Tony Kent (drums
) and Matt Shaw (bass guitar
) upon arriving in NYC. Since debuting with the "infectious" Brother/Sister
the Hymns have been steadily gaining in popularity, appearing with such headliners as Ben Kweller
, Hot Hot Heat
, Beck
, and the Sam Roberts Band. In 2008, the band released their second album, Travel in Herds
, on the Blackland Records
label. Spin Magazine named them as one of the artists to watch in 2008.
. Following their graduation, the power-duo temporarily disbanded, with Roberts joining the Ben Kweller
band while Brian relocated to New York City
. During Roberts' stint with Ben Kweller
, the lead guitarist met and became close with band-member John Kent
, who went on to form Blackland Records
located in Celeste
, TX
. After hearing some of the band's work, John quickly signed the band in 2005, along with Roberts, who quit his day job to jump back on board.
During recording sessions at "The Vault" (Blackland Records
), the band met up with Matt Shaw and Tony Kent, two local musicians who shared the band's common background of being childhood friends. With the addition to the band, Brian and Jason's dream had finally become a reality, and the group quickly started the recording process, releasing their debut album Brother/Sister
in the Fall of 2006. This record release generated national attention with publications such as Spin Magazine, The New Yorker
, and MTV
News started taking notice. With their newly-acquired popularity, the band appeared with popular artists, including Ben Kweller
, the Redwalls, and Butch Walker
.
Amidst national tours, the band returned to the studio in 2007 to record their second album, Travel in Herds
, which was released in the spring of 2008.
During SXSW 2009, Hymns hired Nick Stewart as UK Management. They released new tracks, via the Appaloosa EP, on July 21, 2009. Joey McClellan and Austin Schumacher join the band for this third installment of addicting sounds.
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band based in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, NY. Originally consisting of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
natives Brian Harding (vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
) and Jason Roberts (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, wurlitzer
Wurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
), the band picked up Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-based rockers Tony Kent (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) and Matt Shaw (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
) upon arriving in NYC. Since debuting with the "infectious" Brother/Sister
Brother/Sister
Brother/Sister is the debut album by the band Hymns. It was released by Rock Ridge Music on October 10, 2006, and regarded as "infectious" by John Norris of MTV News.- Track listing :# Magazines - 3:21# Brother/Sister - 2:57# Friends of Mine - 4:08...
the Hymns have been steadily gaining in popularity, appearing with such headliners as Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,...
, Hot Hot Heat
Hot Hot Heat
Hot Hot Heat is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.-Career:Dustin Hawthorne and Steve Bays had been in many different bands together since 1995 and met Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley bought a Juno 6 keyboard and asked Bays to try playing it, as no one...
, Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, and the Sam Roberts Band. In 2008, the band released their second album, Travel in Herds
Travel in Herds
Travel in Herds is the second studio album by the band: The Hymns. It was released by Blackland Records on March 11, 2008. Since the release of this album, the hymns have been recognized by Spin Magazine as one of the bands to watch out for in 2008...
, on the Blackland Records
Blackland Records
Blackland Records Blackland Records Corporate LogoCorporate InformationFounder: John Kent, Tim WheelerOrigin:Celeste, TX, United StatesYears Active:2005–PresentWebsite:...
label. Spin Magazine named them as one of the artists to watch in 2008.
Background Information
The band is a result of a lifelong friendship between Brian Harding and Jason Roberts, of whom formed the band while attending Appalachian State UniversityAppalachian State University
Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system...
. Following their graduation, the power-duo temporarily disbanded, with Roberts joining the Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,...
band while Brian relocated to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. During Roberts' stint with Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,...
, the lead guitarist met and became close with band-member John Kent
John Kent
Kent was born in Wexford, Ireland in 1805, arrived in Newfoundland in 1820 and started working for his uncle Patrick Morris. He was influential in establishing a large Irish population on the island. He was elected to the first House of Assembly in 1832 as a Liberal. John Kent was a champion of...
, who went on to form Blackland Records
Blackland Records
Blackland Records Blackland Records Corporate LogoCorporate InformationFounder: John Kent, Tim WheelerOrigin:Celeste, TX, United StatesYears Active:2005–PresentWebsite:...
located in Celeste
Celeste, Texas
Celeste is a city in Hunt County, Texas, United States. The population was 817 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Celeste is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, TX
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. After hearing some of the band's work, John quickly signed the band in 2005, along with Roberts, who quit his day job to jump back on board.
During recording sessions at "The Vault" (Blackland Records
Blackland Records
Blackland Records Blackland Records Corporate LogoCorporate InformationFounder: John Kent, Tim WheelerOrigin:Celeste, TX, United StatesYears Active:2005–PresentWebsite:...
), the band met up with Matt Shaw and Tony Kent, two local musicians who shared the band's common background of being childhood friends. With the addition to the band, Brian and Jason's dream had finally become a reality, and the group quickly started the recording process, releasing their debut album Brother/Sister
Brother/Sister
Brother/Sister is the debut album by the band Hymns. It was released by Rock Ridge Music on October 10, 2006, and regarded as "infectious" by John Norris of MTV News.- Track listing :# Magazines - 3:21# Brother/Sister - 2:57# Friends of Mine - 4:08...
in the Fall of 2006. This record release generated national attention with publications such as Spin Magazine, The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
, and MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
News started taking notice. With their newly-acquired popularity, the band appeared with popular artists, including Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,...
, the Redwalls, and Butch Walker
Butch Walker
Butch Walker is an American recording artist, songwriter, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist for the metal band SouthGang from the late 80s to early 90s as well as the lead vocalist and guitarist for rock band Marvelous 3 from 1997 until 2001.-Career:Walker grew up in Cartersville,...
.
Amidst national tours, the band returned to the studio in 2007 to record their second album, Travel in Herds
Travel in Herds
Travel in Herds is the second studio album by the band: The Hymns. It was released by Blackland Records on March 11, 2008. Since the release of this album, the hymns have been recognized by Spin Magazine as one of the bands to watch out for in 2008...
, which was released in the spring of 2008.
During SXSW 2009, Hymns hired Nick Stewart as UK Management. They released new tracks, via the Appaloosa EP, on July 21, 2009. Joey McClellan and Austin Schumacher join the band for this third installment of addicting sounds.
Members
Hymns is an indie rock Indie rock Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others... band based in Brooklyn Brooklyn Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated... , NY. Originally consisting of North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte... natives Brian Harding (vocals Singing Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... , guitar Guitar The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... ) and Jason Roberts (guitar Guitar The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... , wurlitzer Wurlitzer The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes.... ), the band picked up Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... -based rockers Tony Kent (drums Drum kit A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... ) and Matt Shaw (bass guitar Bass guitar The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... ) upon arriving in NYC. Since debuting with the "infectious" Brother/Sister Brother/Sister Brother/Sister is the debut album by the band Hymns. It was released by Rock Ridge Music on October 10, 2006, and regarded as "infectious" by John Norris of MTV News.- Track listing :# Magazines - 3:21# Brother/Sister - 2:57# Friends of Mine - 4:08... the Hymns have been steadily gaining in popularity, appearing with such headliners as Ben Kweller Ben Kweller Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,... , Hot Hot Heat Hot Hot Heat Hot Hot Heat is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.-Career:Dustin Hawthorne and Steve Bays had been in many different bands together since 1995 and met Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley bought a Juno 6 keyboard and asked Bays to try playing it, as no one... , Beck Beck Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck... , and the Sam Roberts Band. In 2008, the band released their second album, Travel in Herds Travel in Herds Travel in Herds is the second studio album by the band: The Hymns. It was released by Blackland Records on March 11, 2008. Since the release of this album, the hymns have been recognized by Spin Magazine as one of the bands to watch out for in 2008... , on the Blackland Records Blackland Records Blackland Records Blackland Records Corporate LogoCorporate InformationFounder: John Kent, Tim WheelerOrigin:Celeste, TX, United StatesYears Active:2005–PresentWebsite:... label. Spin Magazine named them as one of the artists to watch in 2008. Background InformationThe band is a result of a lifelong friendship between Brian Harding and Jason Roberts, of whom formed the band while attending Appalachian State UniversityAppalachian State University Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system... . Following their graduation, the power-duo temporarily disbanded, with Roberts joining the Ben Kweller Ben Kweller Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,... band while Brian relocated to New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... . During Roberts' stint with Ben Kweller Ben Kweller Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,... , the lead guitarist met and became close with band-member John Kent John Kent Kent was born in Wexford, Ireland in 1805, arrived in Newfoundland in 1820 and started working for his uncle Patrick Morris. He was influential in establishing a large Irish population on the island. He was elected to the first House of Assembly in 1832 as a Liberal. John Kent was a champion of... , who went on to form Blackland Records Blackland Records Blackland Records Blackland Records Corporate LogoCorporate InformationFounder: John Kent, Tim WheelerOrigin:Celeste, TX, United StatesYears Active:2005–PresentWebsite:... located in Celeste Celeste, Texas Celeste is a city in Hunt County, Texas, United States. The population was 817 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Celeste is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... , TX Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... . After hearing some of the band's work, John quickly signed the band in 2005, along with Roberts, who quit his day job to jump back on board. During recording sessions at "The Vault" (Blackland Records Blackland Records Blackland Records Blackland Records Corporate LogoCorporate InformationFounder: John Kent, Tim WheelerOrigin:Celeste, TX, United StatesYears Active:2005–PresentWebsite:... ), the band met up with Matt Shaw and Tony Kent, two local musicians who shared the band's common background of being childhood friends. With the addition to the band, Brian and Jason's dream had finally become a reality, and the group quickly started the recording process, releasing their debut album Brother/Sister Brother/Sister Brother/Sister is the debut album by the band Hymns. It was released by Rock Ridge Music on October 10, 2006, and regarded as "infectious" by John Norris of MTV News.- Track listing :# Magazines - 3:21# Brother/Sister - 2:57# Friends of Mine - 4:08... in the Fall of 2006. This record release generated national attention with publications such as Spin Magazine, The New Yorker The New Yorker The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast... , and MTV MTV MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs.... News started taking notice. With their newly-acquired popularity, the band appeared with popular artists, including Ben Kweller Ben Kweller Ben Kweller is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Early life:Ben Kweller was born in San Francisco, CA in 1981. In 1982, his family relocated to Emory, Texas, where his father, Howard Kweller, became the town's first doctor. In 1986, the Kwellers moved to a much larger city,... , the Redwalls, and Butch Walker Butch Walker Butch Walker is an American recording artist, songwriter, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist for the metal band SouthGang from the late 80s to early 90s as well as the lead vocalist and guitarist for rock band Marvelous 3 from 1997 until 2001.-Career:Walker grew up in Cartersville,... . Amidst national tours, the band returned to the studio in 2007 to record their second album, Travel in Herds Travel in Herds Travel in Herds is the second studio album by the band: The Hymns. It was released by Blackland Records on March 11, 2008. Since the release of this album, the hymns have been recognized by Spin Magazine as one of the bands to watch out for in 2008... , which was released in the spring of 2008. During SXSW 2009, Hymns hired Nick Stewart as UK Management. They released new tracks, via the Appaloosa EP, on July 21, 2009. Joey McClellan and Austin Schumacher join the band for this third installment of addicting sounds. Members
|