Humming House

Biography

It’s fitting that a song about Django Reinhardt, the father of gypsy-jazz, kicks off the self-titled debut by Humming House. The bandmembers certainly embrace the gypsy spirit, having come from varied corners of the country with all types of instruments and styles to find each other in Nashville. Out January 17, 2012, and produced by Grammy winning Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay) and Vance Powell (Raconteurs and Buddy Guy) the record reflects other eras – utilizing everything from parlor guitar to cla...

It’s fitting that a song about Django Reinhardt, the father of gypsy-jazz, kicks off the self-titled debut by Humming House. The bandmembers certainly embrace the gypsy spirit, having come from varied corners of the country with all types of instruments and styles to find each other in Nashville. Out January 17, 2012, and produced by Grammy winning Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay) and Vance Powell (Raconteurs and Buddy Guy) the record reflects other eras – utilizing everything from parlor guitar to clanging electric guitar, viola to B3 organ, and even a singing saw. Listen Here
The joyous, swing-infectious romp “Gypsy Django” was also the genesis of the band and the album. When co-producer Mitch Dane first heard them play, he cemented their decision to record together by putting them in the studio with his own resources to record that first track. The result was so unmistakably meant to be that plans for the album were undertaken immediately. Humming House’s mingling of swing, rockabilly, and Irish music, along with clanging electric guitars and surprising lush layers and harmonies, set them apart from growing legions of roots-influenced artists. They have drawn early support from STETSON’s Center Stage, local Nashville radio, and NPR’s All Things Considered.
Songwriter and lead vocalist Justin Wade Tam began collaborating with his bandmates at casual Irish jams he hosted at his Nashville home, and on “Stop Me Still” the band’s varying studies are on display. Mike Butera, who plays the rockabilly influenced electric guitar line, is not only a classically trained violinist but also a Professor of Sociology at Belmont with a PHD in Sound Studies. Meanwhile, mandolinist Joshua Wolak was a straight-up bluegrasser who also happened to study trombone and piano. Kristen Rogers, a young, but old school R&B and soul singer, brought in bassist and classical composition guru Ben Jones.
Tam wrote the fast paced “Cold Chicago” as an ode to his 100-year old Chicago-born parlor guitar. “Although it may sound like a song about lovers in 5 cities, the song details the locations where the guitar has spent most of it’s life: Seattle, San Diego, Nashville, and St. Louis,” shares Tam. “While it’s enjoyed its travels, the Parlor desperately wants to get back to its home in Cold Chicago.”
The album slows down sweetly with “When The Dawn Becomes The Day,” starting off simply with ukulele and viola alongside Tam and Rogers’ harmony, before drums and more complex strings take over. “It’s really about the search for meaning and faith in something metaphysical. I picture a group of friends having a grand outdoor adventure. They experience each moment vividly, bask in their shared existence, and set their sights on the intangible,” says Tam.
The closing song, “Young Enough To Try,” is apt philosophy for a new band. “It’s about taking risks and having the courage to believe that they will work out despite the fears. Pursuing the arts, especially in a tough economy, is not a logical or wise descision. This song is about wrestling with the pressure to follow our dreams of playing music instead of settling with security.”
STETSON is sponsoring the band in their “STETSON Center Stage” campaign, releasing the video for “Cold Chicago” this week. Humming House’s first video, “Gypsy Django,” is available as well, and both the singles are available now at www.humminghouse.com. Additionally, a presale of their album and merchandise can be reserved through the band’s website. Humming House is represented by RPM Management, PigFactory Licensing, Paradigm Booking, and will be touring in 2012. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.