Misner & Smith
"Many listeners will feel their hearts have been found after discovering this promising duo.” — Shauna C. Keddy, No Depression
National Release Date: Oct. 15, 2013
Misner & Smith’s music is a search for meaning. Their songs yearn for connection, ache for understanding, relish in mystery, and rejoice in creation. In a world that often feels to be crumbling down around us, they dig deep, and find hope in the simple things, and in the beauty that surrounds us all.
With their new release, Seven Hour Storm, San Francisco, CA’s Misner & Smith have created an album of vivid, poetic songwriting, filled with some of the finest harmony singing around. Working with producer Jeff Kazor (The Crooked Jades, Richard Buckner) and engineer Bruce Kaphan (David Byrne, REM, The Black Crowes) they have a created an album of lush, subtly filigreed arrangements, filling out the already rich sound the duo is known for live.
Each song on Seven Hour Storm is a story, the imagery is sharp, and the lyrics plumb depth of emotions with a refreshing, bold honesty – buoyed up by immediately captivating melody and joyful harmony. Misner & Smith’s voices lock in together, and without disappearing into each other, they soar with power.
On Seven Hour Storm, all eleven songs are penned by Misner and anchored by the duos unique vocal harmonies and evocative lyrics. Sam Misner (vocals, guitar), Megan Smith (vocals, upright bass, harmonium, piano) are joined by John Hanes (drums) Henry Misner (electric 12-string guitar), John R. Burr (piano, guitar) and engineer Bruce Kaphan who adds an array of instrumental contributions (piano, keyboards, dulcimer, percussion, electric, pedal steel, 12 string guitar).
The music of Sam Misner & Megan Smith has historically avoided easy genrefication – they’ve lived in between the lines for years. In many ways Seven Hour Storm is a natural continuation of what they have done from the beginning, a path that leads back to their previous releases Misner & Smith Live at the Freight & Salvage (2010), Poor Player (2008) and the duo’s debut album, Halfway Home (2004).
From the opening tracks “Seven Hour Storm” and “Calling”, the duos voices soothe and blend mixing and exploring the world of folk and roots music, while stretching out to 60esque folk rock on songs like “The Upside” and “Bird Street”. Universal ponderings and the search for meaning are visited on “Lost & Found” and “Miles Away”, while 15 Months navigates the topic of military deployment and the ache of a loved one left behind. The blues gospel “Next Time Around,” features Smith on vocals and was kindled from a joyous experience the duo had of playing a house concert to a dying man embraced by the loving arms of his family. The song celebrates life rather than mourning death, and is a testament to the healing, powerful force music can be.
Misner & Smith will be touring in support of their new album throughout 2013/14.
Home Website: www.misnerandsmith.com
Soundcloud: Seven Hour Storm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MisnerandSmith
