‘Magnificently yearning’ - Tom Robinson BBC6 Music Shot through with enough pathos and pain to melt the hardest of hearts, Hhymn have been causing quite a stir since Ed Bannard and Simon Ritchie first got together, in their native Nottingham, in early 2008. Quickly coming to the conclusion that empty vessels make the most noise, Ritchie and Bannard retreated into what they call “a wilderness world of zithers, mandolins, ukuleles, harmoniums, dulcimers, double basses, brass and brushes” to write the truly sublime set of songs that make up their achingly beautiful debut album ‘In the Depths’, due for release on Denizen Recordings in May 2011 The sound of Hhymn is the sound of their native town. As Shane Meadows gave Nottingham an unmistakable visual identity now Hhymn give it an equally unique musical one, simultaneously bleak and beautiful. Their mellifluous melodies, swooningly gorgeous, plaintive vocals and slow-burning but infectious songs bring everyone from Bon Iver and Beirut to The Be Good Tanyas, Will Oldham and Tim Hardin to mind whilst maintaining the indescribable, grainy, energy of the English Midlands. After fully forming in late 2008 a succession of self released singles quickly sold out as the band steadily gained recognition. Gaining plaudits from the likes of Tom Robinson, who immediately booked the band for his BBC6 Introducing show, and Matt Horne, who booked the band to travel to his renowned ‘Session’ in London. Word is spreading quickly as Hhymn look to lay out their stall of real songs for people who like real music. In an age where pop has become over sticky and superficial Hhymn sit at the centre of the growing scene emanating from the under-recognised city of Nottingham Hhymn have a set of gritty, melancholic and unforgettable tunes to die for and lyrics to cry to. As a band, they became the finished article when they recruited long-term friend Mike Wynne on drums, Amy Helliwell on glockenspiel, organ and trumpet and Will Jeffrey on bass. We are Hhymn.
