2011.10.06 – Pick of the Day – The Hush Now – “Memos”

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Great New Album Release “Memos” by The Hush Now

I get daily emails from labels and agents asking me to check this band or that band out.  Frankly and honestly, I don’t get truly excited about too many of them.  I listen to music almost constantly.  The bathroom is the only room in my house with out speakers. The psychological term is “desensitization”.  Add to that, I also have a programing director, Meshelly, who helps me  considerably. Her and I split the load of “bad” listening and emails.

The Hush Now - Memos

This is not to say that I don’t like many of them. Usually,  I say “yeah, it’s good” or “yeah, ok”. Rarely do I jump up and down, get excited and actually call friends and associates to tell them about the band.  Seriously, it is my job to “listen to bad music so you don’t have to”.   Meshelly, Steve, Eric and many others got phone calls about The Hush Now.  A great band and I assure you, they shall get play here.  Today it is my job to say “I listened to great music to share it with you!”

Thanks to Meshelly and others who help at the station, when a band comes along that fires sparks in my ears, heart and soul, I have more time to pursue them and, hopefully, interview them.  Kudos to Rachel Miller of Big Picture Media for putting the fire starter and interview invite in our Indie Nation inbox.  When I first got the email, which partially read…

Consisting of Noel Kelly (vocals/guitar), Adam Quane (lead guitar), Barry Marino (drums), and Pat MacDonald (bass), Memos showcases an inspiring display of intricate instrumentation and insightful lyricism. “The album is a collection of diverse songs. Each has it’s own personality but there is definitely a cohesiveness as the band introduces two new lead vocalists to join Kelly, as Quane steps out on ‘Cameraphone’ and Marino closes out the album on ‘Things Fall Down’.  The album as a whole is a moving piece of artwork that will take you into a dreamy state of mind you don’t want to break away from.

… I headed over to The Hush Now at Facebook and listened to their material.  As I listened, I read the rest of the email… I really, really liked what I was hearing and totally agree with the above paragraph.  The album “Memos” left me in a mixed emotional state. Better stated, my state of health and the album actually… I totally loved the eclectic nature of the songs.  The album is one of those “no two songs the same, no bad songs, tough to pick a favorite one” type…  and I had an invite to interview the band but…

I had a sore and swollen eye due to a sty.  So ugly in fact that I was referred to  a specialist who might put a stint in it… I was not sure I could attend the show this Friday at The Roc Bar in Cleveland, Ohio… talk about mixed emotions.  One of the best albums I have heard in years, an interview opportunity, and a potential fail?  (I had to wait two days after the email to see a doctor to decide… extra kudos to Rachel for the expedience.) Fate often deals a cruel hand but prayers to the Muse seemed to have weighted more worthy.  No stint, least not yet, but steroids, antibiotics and a patch on my eye and I am pleased to say that I will be in attendance. (I will be the guy looking like a pirate with the black patch on his right eye.)

If you live in the Cleveland area or any other area that this tour is stopping at, I strongly suggest you attend.  You can also find The Hush Now at MySpace, Mevio’s Music Alley, their home page and follow them on Twitter.  (According to their tweets they also have a Halloween Video Contest for two of their songs!)

Although my eye is shielded by a patch, I am getting the interview.  Also, the written review portion is now done, I am left with one remaning dilemma… deciding what tracks to pick for this podcast.  I decided to call Steve and get him to help me decide which tracks to play.  This way we could share the blame for exclusion of other worthy tracks.

The deal was simple.  I listened and picked three.  He would listen and pick three, unaware of my three picks.  Then we would agree on three to play.  What actually happened is we listened, debated, re-listened and conceded. You are going to hear three tracks from a ten track album.  Best advise Steve and I can give is that you go buy “Memos” so you can enjoy the other seven.  Listen in and enjoy!

If you can, catch them on tour.  I noticed that the ticket prices, at most of the clubs, are very much a deal and you will get your money’s worth.  Here is a list of the current tour dates, venues and locations:

• 6 Oct             The Bug Jar                           Rochester, NY
• 7 Oct             Roc Bar                                   Cleveland, OH
• 8 Oct             Stage Bar                                Chicago, IL
• 9 Oct             400 Bar                                  Minneapolis, MN
• 10 Oct            The Contented Cow            Northfield, MN
• 11 Oct            Frank’s Powerplant             Milwaukee, WI
• 12 Oct            Melody Inn                           Indianapolis, IN
• 13 Oct            Preservation Pub                Knoxville, TN
• 14 Oct            Mike’s Side Pocket             Asheville, NC
• 15 Oct            Tipsy Teapot                        Greenville, NC
• 16 Oct            The Muse                              Nashville, TN
• 17 Oct            Cosmic Charlie’s                 Lexington, KY
• 18 Oct            Skully’s                                 Columbus OH
• 19 Oct            Arsenal Lanes                     Pittsburgh, PA
• 20 Oct            The Raven Lounge           Philadelphia, PA
• 21 Oct            Sullivan Hall                      New York, NY
• 22 Oct            Precinct                              Somerville, MA

Related articles

• The Hush Now: Memos (onthecouchblog.com)
• Sick of Sarah Interview and Live Show in Cleveland (indienation.fm)
• 2011.09.19 – Pick of the Day – Paul and Storm and The Moneyshot Cosmonauts – Pirate Music (indienation.fm)