These are trying times for touring musicians. Between the death of the music industry, high gas prices and the "seen it all before" malaise sweeping hipsters away from clubs and in front of their Imacs -it's no wonder musicians are shedding bassists, vans and drummers and devolving from bands into duos.
Philly's MPE band took that one step further after shedding a member and reforming as "Hymn For Her." Rather than have a home base, they went all-in and split town for good in favor of living on the road as a transient family in a 16 foot, 1961 Airstream Bambi trailer. The Airstream serves as both recording studio and home for multi-instrumentalists Lucy Tight, Wayne Waxing and their 4 year old daughter - who has spent most of her short life travelling with her parents as their roadie/mascot and crayon-wielding merch table guardian.
It's an inspiring take on "Take This Job And Shove It." Rather than dream about living on the road permanently, HFH have done it. One can only imagine what it must be like to grow up with hundreds of new people every week in this unique brand of mobile home schooling - though somehow I doubt their kid will have a problem with geography.
The music has definitely been affected by their constant moving. Their lead instrument these days is an electrified, three-string, cigar box guitar given to them in Memphis after a chainsaw mishap. It's helped Hymn for Her evolve from a folky duo who sang old timey tunes, to a red-blooded Americana rock act whose co-ed harmonies evoke LA punk legends X.
Thanks to the aforementioned high gas prices, Hymn For Her Have pulled a rare booking feat. South Florida will have four chances to catch Hymn For Her: Tuesday at The Stage Miami, Wednesday at Propaganda in Lake Worth, Thursday at Dada in Delray Beach and Friday at the Poorhouse in Fort Lauderdale. As these are "family values" everyone can support - I suggest you hit up one of these gigs and do just that.
Comments