STORYHILL
Check out Storyhill on Mountain Stage, featured on NPR in January of 2009 : http://bit.ly/6EyyFR
Popular acoustic folk-pop duo Storyhill comprises John Hermanson (The Hopefuls) with long-time buddy Chris Cunningham, and features insightful, introspective songs with sweet harmonies and highly complementary guitar work, all in the tradition of Simon and Garfunkel, Loggins and Messina, and Hall and Oates.
Back in 2001 Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson took a chance on a collective hunch. It had been several years since the two had shared the stage as acoustic folk gemini Storyhill. Pursuing successful solo music careers in the interim, each nevertheless began wondering what it might be like to sit side by side once again with their acoustic guitars.
Their fans, as it turns out, were wondering too. Despite the band’s dissolution in 1997 owing to the stresses of life on the road, their fan base grew. Record sales actually increased during the hiatus as loyal listeners spread the word online and shared the folk anthems and pitch-perfect harmonies of Storyhill with their friends.
Still, neither could have predicted the overwhelming response to their announcement they’d be joining forces for one nostalgic night in Minneapolis. The 500-seat theater sold out in less than five hours. Their online chat room buzzed with excited fans, many of which had never seen the band perform live. Some had missed the deadline and were offering impressive sums of money for a pair of tickets. Others lamented over family reunions and vacations scheduled for the week of the show. One fan who had a considerable drive ahead of him appealed to fellow “Hillheads” for places to crash along his route. Another show was quickly added to the reunion event–and tickets sold just as quickly.
Since the reunion shows, Chris and John have had plenty of time to reflect on the reasons why their music seems to reach people on a level that few artists achieve. They both agree that using their own lives as inspiration for the songs is part of what compels their audience to connect so strongly with the material. They also believe the blending of their distinct voices brings into being “another voice” that transcends the sum of its parts.
These days, Chris dwells in their native Montana, while John has made his way in Minnesota, where the two attended college. But living cross-country seems only to optimize their efforts. The distance keeps their performances dynamic and fresh. Since the endless post-college mini-van tours during which John conducted band business by payphone and Rolodex, a lot has changed. The duo has matured emotionally and musically, not to mention technologically (they keep in touch via Blackberry). They feel strongly that their time apart has proven instrumental in positively reshaping the way each approaches the creative process.
This new approach extends to some ambitious plans for Storyhill’s future. Focusing their energy on a comparatively smaller number of consecutive shows and participation in folk festivals, Chris and John are looking to introduce themselves to new audiences. But perhaps most importantly, they’re out to show the long-time fans their permanent reunion has been more than worth the wait.
“Paradise Lost”
