Hem is a indie folk-rock band, fusing together a mix of traditional American music with newer style. Band members include Sally Ellyson (vocals), Dan Messé (piano, accordian, glockenspiel), Gary Maurer (guitar, mandolin), Steve Curtis (guitar, mandolin, banjo, back-up vocals), Catherine Popper (bass), Mark Brotter (drums), Bob Hoffnar (pedal steel guitar), and Heather Zimmerman (violin).

Band History

In 1999, songwriter Dan Messé and producer Gary Maurer teamed up and decided to produce a record. Dan and Gary's friend, Steve Curtis, quickly hopped on the bandwagon, but none of them knew any potential singing talents for the band, so the band placed an ad in The Village Voice, but pulled the ad after being overwhelmed with an onslaught of demo tapes.

Later, a woman by the name of Sally Ellyson called Messé in response to the ad, but cautioned that she wasn't really a "singer". In an attempt to satisfy her, Dan asked for a demo but was skeptical, surprised when he heard the very spare tape, a sample of unaccompanied classical lullabyes that Sally had made for the son of a long-time friend. But Messé was impressed--Hem had found itself a singer, and so began the development of the collection of music that would later be known as Rabbit Songs.

Trivia

• The first track off of Rabbit Songs, "Lord Blow the Moon Out Please" is one of the original songs from the demo tape Sally sent in to Dan.

Discography

• Birds, Beasts, and Flowers EP (2004) (split EP with The Autumn Defense )
• Eveningland (2004)
• Talking With My Mouth EP (2002)
• Rabbit songs (2001)

The band was also featured on the following compilations:

• Almost You: The Songs Of Elvis Costello (2003)
• This Is Next Year: Brooklyn-Based Compilation (2001)