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TEXT AND AUDIO INTERVIEWS ARCHIVE |
This page lists (in reverse chronological order) articles and radio shows available free online that contain any sort of interview with one or more members of Hem. To help distinguish the interviews I've included brief summaries of each one's contents as well as setlists for the radio shows. Enjoy!
Sound Insurance: Hem Makes Sweet Music With Liberty Mutual, Billboard, March 1 - Dan talks about writing new songs and Hem's music in Liberty Mutual insurance commercials
The Brooklyn Fridge: In The Kitchen With A Countrypolitan Band, Edible Brooklyn, Winter - Sally, with some small assists from Steve and Gary, talk about food, touring, and home in Brooklyn
Orchestral Maneuvers, Boston Phoenix, June 29 - Brief words from Sally in this review of the first of Hem's two shows with the large Boston Pops orchestra
Hem won't come undone during EdgeFest show, Boston Herald, June 20 - Dan and Sally discuss Hem's two upcoming performances with the 90-piece Boston Pops orchestra
MPR: Minnesota Public Radio, How's The Family?, May 18 - Sally talks about motherhood and being in a band
Revolutionary Radio, Williamsburg Public Radio WRRW, April 21 - An hour with Hem as they perform 5 songs and Dan, Gary, Mark, and Steve discuss various of their albums and songs
Band brings new edge, sound and definition to "countrypolitan," Daily Press, Hampton Roads, VA, April 13 - A collection of culled quotes from the band as well as a mention of this website, which of course makes this article an All About Hem favorite
A look at 7 year-old-quartet and its dreamy music, HamptonRoads.com, April 12 - Sally talks about motherhood and upcoming band projects
Hem's Hunger, Port Folio Weekly, April 10 - In this nice long article, Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson talk about everything from forming the band to making each album to Mary Poppins
Paste Culture Club, January 30 - Two songs and an interview from Hem's 10/26/06 show at a Paste Magazine party where Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson discuss making Funnel Cloud and future paths for the band
Song: The World's Best Songwriters on Creating the Music That Moves Us, January - One chapter in this book is Dan talking about his approach to songwriting and about making Eveningland
The Bob Edwards Show, XM Satellite Radio, November 27 - A detailed, half-hour-long interview with Sally Ellyson and Dan Messe where they extensively discuss Funnel Cloud
Hem spins tale in "funnel cloud," Country Standard Time, November - Dan Messe speaks at good length about songwriting and making each of Hem's albums, emphasizing the most recent Funnel Cloud
Press Pass: Hem, Falls Church News-Press, Falls Church, VA, October 19 - Sally Ellyson talks about the magic of joining and being in Hem
Weathering change, NOW Magazine, Toronto, October 12-18 - Sally Ellyson takes a break mid-tour to discuss funnel cloud imagery and the trials and triumphs of touring with a 10-piece orchestra
Serendipity brought a band its perfect voice, Toronto Star, October 12 - Dan Messe talks about showcasing Sally's voice and about making Funnel Cloud
New Yorkers experiment with folk, classic and rock, Nashville City Paper, October 6 - Dan Messe talks about Hem's expansive sound and about making Funnel Cloud
Funnel Fate, Glide Magazine, October 1 - A great long article that's almost entirely Dan Messe talking about Funnel Cloud, writing for Sally's voice, and performing live
Interview: Hem, Cokemachineglow.com, October - Dan Messe talks about writing songs, forming the band, sharing mp3s (um, when the links aren't broken like they mostly are right now), and the eight lives of Rabbit Songs (more info about that on the discography page)
MPR: The Current, St. Paul, MN, September 27 - The big 10-piece band plays 3 songs and talks about Funnel Cloud and playing with an orchestra
Brooklyn Lullaby, New York Daily News, September 22 - In an article that begins about the band's roots in Brooklyn, Dan Messe talks about the band's ambition, Sally's perfect voice, and song themes
Inside The Rockers Studio: Hem, Stereogum, September 22 - Ten questions with Sally Ellyson
WNYC Soundcheck, New York, NY, September 21 - In a radio show about music in advertising, Dan Messe talks about the use of "Half Acre" in television commercials for Liberty Mutual insurance
MVY: Martha's Vineyard Radio, Nashville, TN, September 20 - During a stop at the Americana Music Conference, the band plays 2 songs and talks about Funnel Cloud, Sally's resemblance to a monkey, and lullabies
The Drop Online, Spotlight, September 14 - Gary Maurer talks about the making of Funnel Cloud, the evolution of some of its songs, and the awesomeness of this website (which thereby qualifies this interview as an All About Hem favorite)
Hem: Funnel Cloud, Jive Magazine, August 20 - Drawing largely from Funnel Cloud's press release, Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe all discuss their latest album
Funnel Cloud Studio Podcasts, August - In a series of 3 very interesting audio interviews made just for you (really), Steve Curtis, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe talk about inspirations for much of Funnel Cloud as well as share some unreleased demo songs
Hem Transcends Adversity on 'Funnel Cloud', Billboard, July 18 - Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson talk about inspirations good and bad behind the album Funnel Cloud
Funnel Cloud press release, July - Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe all have interesting, eloquent words to say about the content and making of their newest album
Paste's 100 Best Living Songwriters, Paste Magazine, June/July - Dan Messe writes about Jimmy Webb, #60 on the top 100 songwriters list
No Stopping Hem, The Daily Bruin, May 15 - Dan Messe talks about the sound of the band and why they (and he) make music
The Drop Online, Episode 4, May (recorded Feb.) - Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe, all in a very jolly mood, talk a lot about No Word From Tom, Funnel Cloud, and the band's sound
WNYC Soundcheck, New York, NY, May 1 - The band plays 2 songs, and Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson talk about topics including the band's influences, their lovely Lincoln Center show, and the even lovelier albums No Word From Tom and Funnel Cloud
Brooklyn's Hem Casts A Spell, Paste Magazine, March/April - Dan Messe talks about making the album No Word From Tom
WTMD Interview, Towson, MD, March 20 - Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe perform 2 songs, talk about how the band formed (even beyond Sally's homemade tape), writing songs that make people cry, and their next album Funnel Cloud
Lullabies For Brooklyn, New York Magazine, March 13 - Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson talk about Hem's sound and the lullabies that helped form the band
Words and Music from Studio A, WFUV, February 22 (taped 2/8) - A 30 minute interview and performance of 4 songs by 8 members of the band in an expanded version of the Take Five session below
Take Five, WFUV, February 22 (taped 2/8) - Eight members of the band are live in studio for a short 5 minute interview about No Word From Tom and a few performance excerpts
20 Questions With Sally Ellyson, Richmond.com, February 6 - Just what the title says plus 20 often funny and sweet answers
On track with Hem, Berkshire Eagle, August 5 - A preview of a (then upcoming) concert plus some words from Dan Messe about his songs and the fate of finding singer Sally Ellyson
KTBG The Bridge, Kansas City, MO, August 3 - Thirty-five minute interview and 3 in-studio songs from Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe
Band on the Run, Voice, Carleton College's Alumni Magazine, Summer - A day in the touring life of Hem with lots of comments from grads Steve Curtis and Dan Messe
What They Play, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, July - An excerpt from the print article about the instruments played by Steve Curtis, Bob Hoffnar, and Gary Maurer
Hem blends vocals, orchestra for unique sound, Morning Sentinel, Portland, ME, June 24 - Sally Ellyson and Dan Messe talk about the sound of Hem's albums and how the band translates that sound live
All About Hem Interview, May 6 - Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe talk about a wide variety of subjects in the best interview ever (in my completely biased opinion)
WNYC Soundcheck, New York Public Radio, April 14 - Sally Ellyson and Dan Messe chat about Brooklyn, forming Hem, and countrypolitan music, and the band performs 2 songs
Twisted Q&A, March - Pretty silly question and answer interview with Hem around the time of their Twisted Folk UK tour
A-Hem, Event Guide (Dublin), February 23 - March 8 - All interesting interview with Sally Ellyson, all the time
Early start to folk feast , icNewcastle, February 22 - Brief comments from Dan Messe on making Eveningland
Taking up the Hem, Manchester Online, February 17 - Short article including some words from Dan Messe about influences
The Bob Edwards Show, XM Satellite Radio, February 10 - A detailed, hour-long interview with Sally Ellyson and Dan Messe
Coming Together Part 1 & Part 2, The Daily Aztec at San Diego State University, February 3 - Interview with Dan Messe, including talk of Hem's countrypolitan label
Hem's Messé uses 'music as a shield', San Diego Union-Tribune, February 3 - The always cool Dan Messe talks about touring and Eveningland
Hem puts modern spin on countrypolitan, Arizona Daily Star, February 3 - Includes words from Dan Messe about Eveningland
Genre Mash-Up, Riverfronttimes.com, February 2 - Discusses Hem's sound and the trouble with classifying it
Reviving the Lullaby: Under the Blanket With Hem, Playback St. Louis, February - A fab long article including interviews with Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson
KEXP Session, Seattle, WA, January 28 - Sally Ellyson and Dan Messe talk about how the band members found each other, the sound of Rabbit Songs v. Eveningland, and working with the Slovak National Radio Orchestra, and the group plays 4 in-studio songs
Floating And Flying, Hem: An Adult Fairy Tale, Eugene Weekly, January 27 - Includes some words from Dan Messe about Rabbit Songs, though the article is mostly about Eveningland and the true fairy tale of how the band formed
Sincere, sad music in a sweet lullaby, Denver Post - January 21 - About countrypolitan music, including some comments by Dan Messe
Hem's latest tour brings Michigan native back home, Oakland Press, January 15 - Dan Messe talks about playing in his home state
Us and Hem, CityBeat, Cincinnati, OH, January 12 - Dan Messe talks, among other things, about the band's record label issues and about writing songs for Sally Ellyson's voice
Hem will play PHT with Louisvillian Landes in tow, Louisville Eccentric Observer, January 11 - Dawn Landes talks about touring with Hem and her involvement with Eveningland
The Second Coming of Countrypolitan, The New York Times, January 2 - Hem is interviewed in an article about the revival of countrypolitan music
Taking Comfort in Beautiful Songs, Paste Magazine, Dec 04/Jan 05 - Terrific long article including band history and various comments from Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe
It's Hem again, Country Time Standard, December - Dan Messe talks non-stop about Hem's music
All That Useful Beauty, No Depression Magazine, Nov/Dec - Great long article about the band and all things Eveningland
All Songs Considered, NPR, November 23 - Dan Messe makes his perfect song choice, Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman"
Hot for Teachers, Baltimore City Paper, November 17 - Nice, amusing interview with Sally Ellyson and Dan Messe
Folk Sophistication: Eveningland expands on Hem's eclectic sound, Birmingham Weekly, November 11-18 - Dan Messe talks about response to Hem's music, creating Eveningland live and in the studio, and the city of Birmingham, AL
Concert previews, The GW Hatchet, Washington, DC, November 11 - Includes a short, amusing comment from Dan Messe about the band's persona
A-Hem!, The Daily Pennsylvanian, November 11 - Dan Messe talks about the band's name and making Eveningland
ASCAP Audio Portrait, November 4 - Four mini interviews with Dan Messe about Eveningland
Hem Craft Slovak Folk, Rolling Stone, October 5 - Eveningland insight from primary Hem songwriter Dan Messe
The SOS Chronicles, 6moons.com, May - A look at Mark Brotter's home stereo system
Hem goes for broke - literally - on 'Rabbit Songs', PittsburghLIVE, April 12 - Dan Messe talks about the labor of love that is Rabbit Songs
KEXP Session, Seattle, WA, April 4 - From New York, NY the group plays 3 songs at the Museum of Television and Radio and talks about Rabbit Songs
Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, Lexington, KY, March 24 - 4 live songs with some Q&A from Sally Ellyson and Catherine Popper about the band's name, New York, and Rabbit Songs
Hippity-Hop, GO Brooklyn, January 6 - Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson talk about creating Rabbit Songs and Hem itself [PDF version (lefthand paper)]
On Second Thought, WFPL, Louisville, KY, January 4 (re-air date March 22) - 3 live songs and a terrific detailed interview with Steve Curtis, Sally Ellyson, Gary Maurer, and Dan Messe about the development and making of Rabbit Songs
KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic, Santa Monica, CA, August 28 - Dan Messe and Sally Ellyson discuss forming Hem, recording Rabbit Songs, and touring with Beth Orton, plus the band performs 9 songs
Hem masters classic country roots, melancholy lyrics on 'Rabbit Songs', Daily Bruin, Los Angeles, CA, August 26 - General musings from Dan Messe
KEXP Session, Seattle, WA, August 24 - The group plays 4 in-studio songs and talks about Rabbit Songs, how the band came together, and Dan's enthusiastic lip-syncing
Below the Surface, WYEP, Pittsburgh, PA, July 29 - The group plays 1 incredible in-studio song and talks about Rabbit Songs and the fate of Hem
All Things Considered, NPR, July 10 - Sally Ellyson and Dan Messe discuss the formation of Hem and the creation of Rabbit Songs
All Songs Considered, NPR, July 1 - Rabbit Songs deconstruction by Dan Messe
HEM, Crud Magazine, March 13 - Gary Maurer and Dan Messe talk a fair amount about the band's genesis and first album
Trash, Twang, and Thunder with Meredith Ochs, WFMU, July 18 - Seven band members are live in studio to play 6 songs and discuss the band's formation and direction
