September Gurl - Clients

*Hungrytown* http://www.Hungrytown.net/ [BIOGRAPHY] [PHOTOS] [PRESS] [TOUR DATES] [AUDIO]

BIOGRAPHY Hungrytown is the new self-titled offering from celebrated folk duo Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson. Their deceptively simple compositions grow from roots deep in the American soil; "in fact, Hungrytown's music offers such an aura of authenticity--in titles and in tunes-–it could be easily mistaken for original trad transcripts," declares Lee Zimmerman of Performing Songwriter, and Rachel Nones of the Feminist Review raves "Hungrytown is American folk music at its zenith." Early reviews of the CD have landed the group daily airplay on XM Radio's "The Village," and Hungrytown songs are beginning to appear on playlists across the country, including Boston's WUMB and Philadelphia's WXPN. In Hungrytown, things are not always what they seem. "Rose or the Briar" depicts a young man who is drawn to a beautiful girl, but finds her sweet appearance at odds with her sour disposition. "One Morning in May" begins with a soldier marching off to what he thinks will be a easy victory, only to find himself mired in a protracted and pointless conflict. In "Hungrytown Road," the thematic heart of the album, a small-town girl's life is bounded by work and family ("I learned how to fight with the ones that I love/And to pay for the words that I said") but she becomes increasingly aware of "the road that leads out of this town," and its promise of new experiences. Hungrytown is an album that rewards repeated listens; familiar themes from centuries-old folk songs are updated to offer a fresh perspective on modern life. Rebecca is an award-winning songwriter whose two previous solo albums were released to much critical acclaim. She has been dubbed "a new folk classicist" by the Boston Herald and her stark ballad "O Lord," written from the point of view of a death-row prisoner, has been covered by legendary songsmith David Olney, among others. Ken is a roots music visionary, and a self-tutored scientist of pop culture, who deftly combines disparate elements; the keening wail of a '60s folk harmonica, a rushing creek of bubbling Appalachian fingerpicking, a heartstring-tugging oboe and even a string quartet, to create the seamless musical fabric woven only in Hungrytown. He plays numerous instruments throughout the recording, as well as handling all production duties. "Anderson has a knack for crafting rich arrangements that don't clutter things up," writes Casey Rea of Seven Days, and his characteristic restraint is evident throughout the recording, lending graceful support to Rebecca's plainspoken songs. Hungrytown was recorded up and down the east coast, between gigs, by way of their mobile studio, Song Catcher. Recording spaces included a converted barn in New York's Catskills, a double-wide in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, and an old meeting house on a Vermont hillside. Lending their talents to the production were Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar Merenda of the folk-rock supergroup The Mammals, as well as bluegrass mainstays the Virginia Ramblers. Rebecca and Ken tour the country in the notorious Blue Meanie, a remarkable, fuel efficient, solar-paneled and, well, blue camper van designed by Ken to serve as a fully-equipped, four-season home, office, studio and Conestoga wagon for their instruments and sound system--all in under 22 feet! Together with folk-pop icons the Kennedys and Chris Thompson, Rebecca and Ken are also members of the Strangelings, a popular folk jam band. Their debut CD, Season of the Witch, features three songs penned by Rebecca. Their Strangelings were a headlining main stage act at the 2007 and 2008 Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals.

PHOTOS Click on a thumbnail to download that hi-res JPEG (suitable for publication):

TOUR DATES 22 Aug 2008 * Dover Free Library * East Dover, Vermont 23 Aug 2008 * Grand Isle State Park * Grand Isle, Vermont 6 Sep 2008 * Manchester Recreation Pavilion * Manchester, Vermont 19 Sep 2008 * Rhythm & Roots Reunion * Bristol, Tennessee 20 Sep 2008 * Rhythm & Roots Reunion * Bristol, Tennessee 21 Sep 2008 * Rhythm & Roots Reunion * Bristol, Tennessee 27 Sep 2008 * Mad Sq Music/the Studio Series * New York, New York 3 Oct 2008 * Summer Music at Grace Sheldon, Vermont 4 Oct 2008 * Massena Public Library * Massena, New York 5 Oct 2008 * Ogdensburg Public Library * Ogdensburg, New York 7 Oct 2008 * Swan Library * Albion, New York 9 Oct 2008 * Clyde Public Library * Clyde, Ohio 11 Oct 2008 * Hartge House Concerts * Reynoldsburg, Ohio 17 Oct 2008 * Indy Hostel House Concert Series * Indianapolis, Indiana 18 Oct 2008 * Mary Ann Mongan Library * Covington 19 Oct 2008 * Downers Grove Public Library * Downers Grove, Illinois 26 Oct 2008 * Woodridge Public Library * Woodridge, Illinois 1 Nov 2008 * Decatur Public Library * Decatur, Illinois 9 Nov 2008 * Lisle Library * Lisle, Illinois 10 Nov 2008 * Dekalb Public Library * DeKalb, Illinois 11 Nov 2008 * Musser Public Library * Muscatine, Iowa 13 Nov 2008 * Laurens Public Library * Laurens, Iowa 16 Nov 2008 * Newton Public Library * Newton, Iowa 31 Dec 2008 * Windham Hill Inn * West Townshend, Vermont 16 Jan 2009 * Ambrosia Farm Bed & Breakfast * Floyd, Virginia 17 Jan 2009 * Lake Gaston Music Assoc. Concert Series * Littleton, North Carolina 24 Jan 2009 * Boumel House Concerts * Coral Springs, Florida 7 Feb 2009 * Lunazoot House Concerts * Tampa, Florida 16 Mar 2009 * Folk at the Cannery * Dataw Island, South Carolina 18 Apr 2009 * Acoustic Cafe at Wadleigh Memorial Library * Milford, New Hampshire 23 May 2009 * Stone Church Arts * Bellows Falls, Vermont 22 Jul 2009 * Concerts at the Meridian Gazebo * Meridian, New York

PRESS Rambles.net Hungrytown, Hungrytown (Listen Here, 2007) by Jerome Clark The group name under which which husband-and-wife team Ken Anderson and Rebecca Hall perform, Hungrytown, has a charmingly low-keyed sound. You may think you've heard it before, but if your experience is like mine, you'll have a hard time placing it precisely, which probably means Anderson and Hall are more distinctive than you might have thought on first hearing. If Hungrytown is readily identifiable as a folk outfit, it is not one that sounds like any you've encountered recently. On this recording they're joined here and there by some distinguished roots musicians, including two members of the Mammals (Michael Merenda and Ruth Ungar Merenda) and the bluegrass band Virginia Ramblers (who do not play bluegrass in the present instance). There's only one actual traditional song ("Sylvie," a variant of the Anglo-American "I Once Had a Sweetheart"); "One Morning in May" merely borrows the title of the old ballad. Still, their writing (Anderson-Hall's, or Hall's alone) is richly infused with traditional references and sensibilities. Though it isn't, "Weep Not for Me" could be an antique heart song A.P. Carter picked up on one of his innumerable song-collecting rambles, and it's not the only one. Hall, who sings in a soft, sweet voice which at first exposure sounds a tad thin, and then doesn't, handles the lead vocals, affording the songs a surface airiness that conceals the emotional punch beneath. The writing is uniformly strong but always understated, the musicianship first-rate but never ostentatious. If Anderson and Hall were not the confident and capable professionals they are, Hungrytown easily could be as twee as an early 1960s folk-pop group. It's not even close, however. Just listen closely. To say nothing of the album's other virtues, the melodies alone will drive dull care away. Seven Days (Burlington, VT) Hungrytown, Hungrytown by Herb van der Poll West Townsend's Hungrytown is composed of wife-and-husband duo Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson. The pair has carved quite a niche in the modern folk scene, not only as Hungrytown but also as members of neo-traditionalist outfit The Strangelings, and on the considerable strength of Hall's solo work. They have been recognized at a number of songwriting contests, such as those at the Billboard Annual fest, the Minnesota Folk Festival and the Great Waters Music Festival. Roger McGuinn, co-founder of folk-rock godfathers The Byrds, praised Hall's voice as having "a sweetness and a worldly wisdom in perfect balance." After spending some time with Hungrytown, I'm inclined to agree. On this self-titled debut release, the band's lauded songwriting strength is evident. The nine original tunes rest comfortably alongside two traditional folk songs and a cover of Gene Clark's "With Tomorrow." Folky balladry, upbeat country, bluegrass and even a bit of rock 'n' roll are all featured on the album. This eclecticism serves the band well and gives the production an engaging dynamic. The musicians are skilled enough to make it all sound natural and have a nice, smooth flow. Hall's guitar work and vocals provide the framework for every song, while Anderson provides harmonies and instrumental accompaniment, including drums, bass, organ and harmonica. Hungrytown also features members of the bluegrass band The Virginia Ramblers and "subversive" folk-rockers The Mammals on fiddle, cello, banjo and mandolin. If there are any virtuosos among them, there's no way of knowing; the arrangements are sparse, the playing restrained. Hall's vocals are wonderful, pitch-perfect and rich in emotion, perfectly paired with Anderson's harmonies. The vocal arrangements range from simple to lush. Hungrytown recalls a number of performances past and present - shades of Judee Sill, Emmylou Harris, Neko Case and The Byrds. (I'd personally love to hear this band perform The Byrds' version of Charles Louvin's "The Christian Life.") Hungrytown is an accomplished and enjoyable folk record. It is both haunting and pleasant, delicate yet arresting. Hall and Anderson have cultivated a wonderful musical rapport that will endear them to many as they continue to tour and record.

AUDIO Click on a clip of an audio track below to download a mp3: Hungrytown - Self-Titled [2007] Lucille, Lucille [mp3] - 1.05 mb Sylvie [mp3] - 1.16 mb