Soundcheck

Hem (www.eveningland.com)

America, We Sing of Thee!

Thursday, April 14, 2005

Hem, the critically acclaimed Brooklyn band whose sound is known as "countrypolitan" has released a second album, Eveningland, featuring not only the regular eight-piece unit, but also the Slovak Radio Orchestra. The combination added a more lush and complex element than the group had realized when they set themselves to recording an old fashioned album: no samples, no fancy protools edits. They'll join us to discuss their sound, and this record in advance of their Saturday night show at Southpaw.

And we welcome jazz pianist Fred Hersch and vocalist Kate McGarry to our studios for a celebration of Walt Whitman. Their live in-studio performance will draw from Hersch’s Palmetto Records release, "Leaves of Grass," an orchestration of Whitman’s 150-year-old masterpiece written for a 10-piece chamber jazz ensemble and vocalists.

• Listen to the whole show