Storyhill

Acoustic/pop duo Storyhill began in Bozeman, Montana, where Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson grew up and started performing together as teenagers. Both were musical from the get-go, singing with choirs, playing in bands and mastering many musical instruments—piano, guitar, trumpet, violin, harmonica, bass and accordion. Although their 7th grade world geography class is what ostensibly brought them together, it was their musical passions that made them close friends and lifelong musical collaborators. They recorded their first tape as Chris and Johnny in 1989, upon graduating from high school. Although they then temporarily parted ways—Chris going to Spain and John to Minnesota for college—they continued to play music. Chris, who had previously played piano with John, took up the guitar and focused on his songwriting, soaking up the Spanish culture. Meanwhile, John was making a name for himself on the campus of St. Olaf College, where he was pursuing a music degree for violin performance. He got regular gigs in town, performing his own original material. He encountered such success selling his and Chris’ first album that he encouraged Chris to come out and join him so they could play together. Chris did, and together they developed a strong fan following on campus and in the nearby Twin Cities as an acoustic songwriting duo. After graduating in 1993, they toured the country, playing the college circuit. For three years they toured constantly and recorded several self-released albums, selling an impressive number at their shows. Exhausted from the travel and finding themselves pulled in different directions, Chris and John, or Storyhill as they were now known, embarked on a series of farewell concerts (much to fans’ dismay). Chris moved west to Seattle, then back to Bozeman where he continued to play his own songs and collaborated with Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter Justin Roth, resulting in a live recording—2 forms of ID. John, on the other hand, went east, moving to Norway for a year. There he wrote material that would result in his first solo album, recorded when he returned to Minneapolis. He began performing solo and with his band Alva Star. Meanwhile, Storyhill fans continued to clamor for more so Chris and John played a few sold-out reunion shows in Minnesota and Montana. Discovering the old chemistry was still there along with some new creative energy, they reformed Storyhill and fully committed themselves to touring and recording as a duo. They enlisted the help of rock/pop songwriter and Grammy nominee Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Dixie Chicks, Trip Shakespeare) to produce Storyhill’s new album, their first to be released on independent roots label Red House Records. The album, simply named Storyhill, is a return to the basics that have made Storyhill so popular—strong melodic songs. While the album is largely acoustic, Wilson provides some piano, bass and guitar parts, and Eric Fawcett (N.E.R.D., Mike Doughty, Spymob) plays drums and percussion. Supporting the new album, Storyhill will be touring extensively in 2007. This summer they will also host the 2nd annual Storyhill Fest, an event that draws fans from across the country for a weekend of outdoor live music in the Montana Rockies. In addition to their work with the duo, Chris and John continue their separate pursuits in Montana and Minnesota. Chris has built his own studio and accompanying guesthouse in Bozeman, where artists come from all over to record their music. John works as a producer for St. Paul’s Fiction studio and continues to play with Alva Star and rock band The Hopefuls.   QUOTES “ Their sound recalls the harmonious interplay of Simon and Garfunkel and the acoustic juice of the Indigo Girls” - Billboard “ It takes less than a minute to fall in love with Storyhill….Trading folk and rock passages back and forth a la early records by the Jayhawks, Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson have crafted a timeless sound.” - Duluth Budgeteer News “ two guys on guitars who harmonize on thoughtful lyrics” - Boston Globe “ These guys possess voices that blend in a truly uncanny way…you'll find yourself tapping your toes and grinning in a matter of moments.” - Missoulian “ Delicate acoustic folk sounds and honest lyrics” - Duluth News

Tour Schedule

Biography

Storyhill's albums

 

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