Hiram on guitar, vocals - in possible combination with the following:
John Haughery (drums, percussion), Cliff Lewis (bass), Tony Guyer (guitar, sound recording), John Teeter (guitar, sound recording)... and a few others as time and venue permit...
Influences
African choirs, tribal rhythms, Simon and Garfunkel, Sting, Ben Okafor, Bob Marley, Bebo Norman, Steve Taylor, Charlie Peacock, Sixpence None The Richer, Stavesacre, Ella Fitzgerald, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, BB King, WEs Montgomery, David Wilcox... Flight of the Conchords.
Sounds Like
a musician and songwriter... in need of a savior.
Hiram Ring - "One Girl For Me" from unitheo on Vimeo.
Love - Begotten 2008 teaser
I Am Not A Thief live March 31st 2007
Reviews for the EP, Go From Here:
"Sublime is a good word for Hiram Ring's music; it has a property of smoothing things out, of improving your mood. Mine can certainly use some improving. How about yours?" - Hank Shiffman, disordered.org
"'Go From Here'... unleashes a rare talent, hidden in suburban outskirts of Pennsylvania (USA). If "Go From Here," the song, is anything like the future (full length) album, then I think Ring will have to get used to being in very high demand.
Everyone has an "introduction" faze that lets the world know they are here and to listen up; I believe "Go From Here" is it for Ring. Hiram's sound is laid back-acoustic, with adventurous lyrics. His songs lead you into his world of self questioning, yet scream of one man's confidence behind the journey of understanding their passion." - Richie Freeman, PensEyeView.com
"Hiram, a missionary child, was born and raised in Ghana and the musical influences of his travels have influenced his music today. The songs on “Go From Here” are spiritual and uplifting. The CD lends itself to an agreeable unplugged gig perfect for coffee-shop stages and other more intimate settings." - Ken Wiegman, AlphaOmegaNews.org
Hiram's music being played on: FM 88.5 WXPN (Philadelphia, Lancaster area) FM 90.3 WJTL (Susquehannah Valley)
Hiram paraphernalia designed by Ned Bustard (worldsendimages.com) - Click on the picture below to chuckle.
Reviews for Breathe Deep:
"What makes this album, Breathe Deep, so good is Hiram's penmanship. He is a great songwriter/wordsmith. Combine that with the airy guitar-based folk of his musical style, it makes for an enjoyable listen... It is poetic, musical, and honest. Hiram has put together an excellent album full of hope you can sit down and contemplate your navel to, or just play for enjoyment." 4/5 stars! - Robert Boynton, The Phantom Tollbooth full review
"Breathe Deep is built upon Ring’s Acoustic Folk sound and his love of African Rhythms; melding two distinct sounds into one you won’t forget... a songwriter and word smith... Ring writes and sings music about what he knows, believes, feels and sees... artistically mature and intelligent songs... Breathe Deep is an incredible listen." 5/5 stars! - Wildy Haskell, Wildy's World full review
"In addition to being an incredibly nice guy, Hiram is an unassuming, yet extremely talented singer/songwriter... On Breathe Deep, Hiram takes us on a journey, one both personal and universal... You know you are listening to someone very well aware of his humanity, and not interested in putting on airs and pretensions." - Ken Mueller, Inkling Media full review
some quick facts about Hiram:
2007 - Tony Guyer produces his 4-song EP Go From Here - after spending September in Spain, Hiram teams up with Matthew Monticchio, David Green, and other local Lancaster musicians to produce, record, and release a full-length Christmas album of original and sacred songs entitled "Word >>> Flesh". With a release date of Black Friday, the album sells over 500 copies in 3 weeks, largely by word of mouth. Two of the tracks, Hiram's original song "O Little Child" and a world-music inspired rendition of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" are selected to be in regular rotation on local radio: FM 90.3 WJTL
2008 - Hiram continues working on his full-length album as well as recording other musicians. His song 'Go From Here' is played on local radio - 'Go From Here' is selected as one of the songs for the Music For Everyone benefit album. Another song that he produced and recorded with local musician Katie Becker also receives placement on the album. - Hiram then decides to live in western Norway with his uncle for 3 months, learning some Norsk (Odda dialekt) and helping Ove Danielsen record a full-length album. - Returning in July to the US, he helps Katie Becker finish up her EP, "Firstborn" and co-produces a second Christmas with Matthew Monticchio and David Green entitled "Love >>> Begotten". Songs from this album are again picked up by local radio, and another song that he wrote (Just a Single Season) is offered as a free download by WJTL and WXPN. The album is carried by four central PA Borders stores - you might still catch them now...
2009 - Hiram releases his first full-length album, 'Breathe Deep' to a packed crowd in Lancaster on February 7, then hits the road to play shows along the east coast, updating his blog daily with videos of where he's been. Visit themadafrican.blogspot.com to stay updated! - now home in Lancaster, PA, Hiram is playing the occasional show, but is also busy working on recordings of his own music and that of other local musicians. Visit RingRecords.net to find out more.
Hey Hiriam That's awesome! Where'd you play at in Maumee? I did play the Open Mic circuit for quite awhile, did a few shows at Ground Level Coffee. Now I'm actually singing for a band The Kaleidoscope, Brighter so we're booking some pretty good shows at venues around town coming up this winter!
thanks a lot bro!! I appreciate it much love and respect to my fellow musician :D would you like some free song downloads? I have a way to get them to you using gmail....I made it so you can grab them whenever you have time. (you won't need a gmail account to do it) just send me a myspace message with the subject "downloads" and I'll take care of ya :) let me know Dylan
Thanks for your kind words, i enjoy your music as well, I don't know Brooke or Joy I was just looking for acoustic artist and came across all of you. I'm glad I did. I'm working on some new material and will be posting a new page for it soon so look for a friend request from me again soon for that page. I'll be playing instruments instead just creating beats.
You paint wonderful pictures with your music and lyrics.
I enjoyed your album (my mom picked it up at the Rutland show and mailed it to me), and as far as Houghton, I'm loving it so far. I'm and English major and I've also been working for the sound and recording department, which is a lot of fun and a very educational experience. Hopefully sometime in the near future I'll have the time to record a couple of demos in our studio at Houghton and stick them up on Myspace (my current demos are totally home-grown lol, me, my computer, a tiny mixer, and a few cheap condenser mics).
Hello H-ram! How is 4-on-tour going? Sounds really fun to me. Life is still good at college. I'm hosting a dance party this weekend that I'm excited about, and consequently homework is far from my mind. This is no good, but the academic spirit is a bit low for all because fall break is next weekend and so many of us are getting ready to go home for a bit. Today I had tasty chinese food for lunch AND dinner. Roommate Susanna loves your CD btw. Cheers!! HJ
hey hiram, i just saw that you will be on the radio.....perhaps you could say one or two things about the event on the 3rd? if so that would amazingly amazing....and a big help. thanks -little hawk
Dear Hiram, Thanks so much for the friendship. I really like the mix of influences at work in your music. You have a fresh sound and your musicianship is first rate. I particularly enjoyed "Go From Here". I invite you to come over and check out my songs sometime. I recently posted the final tracks to my CD "East of Eden". I'd be very open to any feedback you might have. Thanks again, Cap Wilhelm-Safian
Hey friend! I'm sorry times are kind of tough! So I thought you might like our new record for free! We're really, really proud to give it to such awesome people for nothing... thanks for being our friend, it really means a lot! much peace and love, j and tvl
Germany is nice, like every day of course :-). I like you uploading so many videos, it's a nice experience to see, what friends make, on the other side of earth ^^ God bless max
Hiram, I'm so glad you took my water. If God had not made you thirsty, I might have missed out on getting a copy of your new CD. I love the way He works, and I love your new CD. Thanks, Tommy