Author: Chad

May 21, 2008 In Esperanza Spalding, News

Esperanza Spalding

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Esperanza Spalding at Jazz Sous les Pommiers 2008
© Yann Renoult

In 2002 HUSH had the distinct honor of releasing a compelling album by a young trio called Noise for Pretend entitled Happy You Near. At the center was 17 year-old Esperanza Spalding on double bass and vocals. Her pop ensemble lived a short lifespan of little more than a year, owing to her full scholarship offer in Boston. Six years later she’s a graduate (poster child, and youngest faculty member ever) of Berklee College of Music, she’s played stages around the world with jazz giants, and just yesterday she released her second solo record, titled simply Esperanza. It appears that the buzz in the jazz world is spilling over: Esperanza was recently featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and the cover of Bass Player Magazine to name a few. On June 4th she’ll play David Letterman’s Late Show with her trio. It’s likely just the beginning. Congratulations Esperanza!

Happy You Near Sampler Mix

Visit her screen-engulfing website here.

May 14, 2008 In News, Run On Sentence

Meet Run On Sentence

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Run On Sentence is the name Dustin Hamman chose to represent his music variously played solo, or in ensemble. The name may be a bit of a misnomer, in that Hamman’s songs are taut in verse and structure. Stylistically his songs may be adventurous (blues, juke joint music, soaring arrangements a lá Neutral Milk Hotel…) but he is never prone to prattle or self-indulgence. His debut Oh When The Wind Comes Down will be released on HUSH this fall. It was produced by Nick Jaina and features many (most) of the players from the Nick Jaina band and other Portland all stars. Just today the Willamette Week published a feature on him in anticipation of his show this Friday at Mississippi Studios (10pm) with Ryan Solee (of The Builders and the Butchers). This is a highly recommended event.

Hear some tracks on his Myspace page. See also his profile on this site.

May 13, 2008 In News, Nick Jaina

Nick Jaina – The 7 Stations

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The 7 Stations is now available via the HUSHshop and finer retailers. It showcases the ensemble side of Nick Jaina’s dynamic, genre-hopping songwriting. As per usual we’ve added a sampler mix to our free HUSHcast. And, as per usual it features links and pictures that float by in the album art square as you listen, to elucidate the story. hsh078.jpg

The story in a nutshell is that this is a reissue of the out-of-print release of late 2006. It is, we feel, a modern classic. We’ve also uploaded an mp3 version of the sampler, so you can listen right here:

The 7 Stations Mix

Once again, we’re offering a 15% off your entire order coupon code for the download friendly HUSHshop through May: hushluvsu. Consider your purchases (only one per customer).

ps. coming soon to HUSHcast: Rauelsson!

May 11, 2008 In Corrina Repp, Loch Lomond, News, Nick Jaina

Accolades

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Loch Lomond photo: Alicia Rose

The Portland weekly Willamette Week did their annual Best New Band cover story and we’re happy to see the efforts of two HUSH roster bands honored by their peers in their top 10 poll. Congratulations goes to Loch Lomond and Nick Jaina who have worked hard to get where they are. Loch Lomond was invited to play the top 3 billing showcase and represented themselves (and HUSH) well to say the least. In solidarity with the Builders and Butchers, who topped the list, the bands traded cameos on each other’s closing songs. It’s worth noting that the two also shared sides on a slab of wax recently, a spilit EP vinyl-only release on Bladen County Records. Highly recommended.

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Nick Jaina photo: Melanie Brown

 

It’s a big year for Nick Jaina indeed, who has already traversed the country and is set to potentially release 3 records. Okay, The 7 Stations out this Tuesday May 13 is a reissue, but it’s aged like wine, we think. Many of the songs from this CD are live set favorites, and it’s rather refreshing to note their malleable melodies in the hands of the present stage troupe.

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Tu Fawning photo: Alicia Rose

Special mention goes out to Tu Fawning, the inimitable musical convergence of minimal folk heroine Corrina Repp (HUSH solo performer and HUSHshop mistress extraordinaire!) and partner Joe Haege (31 Knots). They recently doubled in size with the addition of Liza Rietz and Toussaint Perrault and will celebrate the release of their gorgeous debut, the “Secession EP” May 17th at Rotture, Portland, OR. Visit their Myspace to hear a couple songs.

May 4, 2008 In Laura Gibson, News

Doing it better + Laura Gibson limited EP out now.

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We’re very pleased to announce that if you buy any CD from the HUSHshop, you now receive a FREE album download as well, on the spot. No waiting for Mr. Postman to listen to the music, while at the same time retaining the joy of the parcel, the artifact, the liner notes, the art, and the superior sound quality. Here’s the kicker: we do it for less than iTunes! CD in the mail and instant download: $9.97. Hot dog!


 Or if you like, just choose the Download only, on any title, and we’ll knock a couple bucks off.

The new shop is pretty spiffy, and scheduled to get spiffier. (Look for easy to audition song samples rolling out soon.) But, again, if you haven’t familiarized yourself with our podcast, it’s a great way to test drive our albums out in the field, away from the computer, where music often sounds a bit better. We just put up an enhanced sampler mix (just click subscribe in iTunes) of exquisite new Laura Gibson EP, Six White Horses which is now available in the HUSHshop. This release is limited to a few hundred leftovers from her recent tour. A collector’s piece to be sure.

We’re so hyped about this we’re pulling another first: use the coupon code hushluvsu for 15% off your entire order in the month of May. Use it wisely: limit 1 per customer.

Thanks for sticking with us!

April 30, 2008 In Velella Velella

Velella Velella: Foxy on Woxy.

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Velella Velella have been promising some reports from the frontlines of their tour but it’s too AWESOME to be bothered too much about that. Lucky for us the fine folks at WOXY have left a bread crumb on the internet. Lay back and relax, because Velella Velella are playing now in your living room. But before you get too comfy, pay heed to their recommendation if you can:

“After you listen to this session, you should make it your mission to see this band live at any cost.”

WOXY Studio Sesh (25:33)