Hem
Lush, orchestral folk that feels like a warm blanket on a cold evening. Delicate piano and breathy vocals meet symphonic arrangements for a timeless, serene glow.
Lush, orchestral folk that feels like a warm blanket on a cold evening. Delicate piano and breathy vocals meet symphonic arrangements for a timeless, serene glow.
Hem creates music that sounds like a forgotten American lullaby, polished to a high-fidelity shine. It is a world of soft edges, where the rustic twang of a pedal steel guitar is cradled by the sophisticated swell of a chamber orchestra. Sally Ellyson's voice is the centerpiece: a breathy, intimate alto that feels like a secret shared in a quiet room. It is music that refuses to rush, favoring patient melodies and rich, warm textures.
What truly sets them apart is their 'countrypolitan' sophistication. While many folk acts lean into grit and raw edges, Hem leans into beauty and precision. They bridge the gap between 19th-century parlor music and modern indie-folk, using instruments like the glockenspiel and mandolin to add a crystalline sparkle to their deeply emotional, often wistful compositions. It is high-art Americana that feels both grand and deeply personal.
Start with 'Eveningland' to hear them at their most cinematic. It captures that specific blue-hour feeling where the day ends and the world goes quiet. It is the perfect entry point for anyone who loves the storytelling of folk but craves the harmonic depth of a symphony.
Hem is a musical group from Brooklyn, New York. Band members include Sally Ellyson (vocals), Dan Messé (piano, accordion, glockenspiel), Gary Maurer (guitar, mandolin), Steve Curtis (guitar, mandolin, banjo, back-up vocals), George Rush (bass guitar), Mark Brotter (drums), Bob Hoffnar (pedal steel guitar), Dawn Landes (background vocals and glockenspiel) and Heather Zimmerman Messé (violin). The group sometimes expands to include other musicians and orchestral accompaniments. Their music has been variously described as "folk", "indie", "Americana" and "roots". Stylistically, their songs bridge 19th-century American parlour music, Appalachian folk music, gospel music, traditional American ballads, the European art song, early jazz, and even contemporary classical music.
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