In no special order: Galway Kinnell, Robert Hunter, Banning Eyre, KBGA (college radio),Matthew Ostrow, Jerry Garcia, Tom Waits, Steve Kilbey, Peter Case, The Bagboys, Lesley Brown, Sid, The Jackofficers, Blodgett Canyon, Nobscot, Terje Rypdal, Dan Silver, Neil Young, Son Seals, Snapper Mitchum, Lightnin’ H., and Theresa Reed. Mustn’t forget Tom Catmull, and of course, my super tricky atria.
Sounds Like
A 128 kbps mp3 of a bearskin rug reading a Joseph Langland poem into a cast iron dutch oven, while Peter Case sings in the shower in the background.
Originally an East Coast guy, Larry has lived in New Mexico, Oregon, California, Montana and Massachusetts. He loves poetry, birds, and odd desserts made with green Jell-O. He is happily ensconced in his second marriage and has a very young daughter. Although most of Larry's shows these days are solo acoustic affairs, Larry is known to play the hell out of the electric guitar and has played bass in a number of blues and rock bands over the years. And, although songwriting was the ship in which Larry originally embarked upon the waters of music, he has been busy paddling a crazy, experimental aural canoe on the side for the last 10 years. Some recent examples of those sounds can be found at the page of Certain Molecules
box elder, the new disc, is here. Just click on the link below to snag it. Included on the disc are guitarist Bill McDavid (ex-Sleeman Gulch Blues Band), harmony singer Ricky Drake (The Fidgets), drummer Greg Grossi (ex- Apples of Discord), drummer Brandon Zimmer (Certain Molecules, Joan Zen) and drummer Travis Yost (Tom Catmull and the Clerics, The Fidgets). The record has 11 songs. I played and sang everything except for McDavid's electric on the tune "Handful of Dirt," Drake's harmonies on three tunes, and the three drummers listed above. One of my favorite things about the disc is the contrasting sounds of the three drummers. Lots of different sounds on this disc. I think you'll like it. GET BOX ELDER HERE:
The record is available for download at all the usual places.
The Missoula Independent's Melissa Mylchreest says this about Box Elder:
"Local stalwart Larry Hirshberg showcases his wide-ranging versatility on Box Elder, serving up a dozen tracks that include old-school blues on “Handful of Dirt,” Pink Floyd-esque minimalism on “Nothing to Her,” and the head-bopping pop that drives “Settling Down, Obviously.” Box Elder is a bit like what would happen if you put Tom Petty, Mike Gordon, Weezer and the soundtrack from The Royal Tenenbaums in a blender. And, unlikely as the combination may be, it works.
Hirshberg’s music is virtually a one-man show (a few guests sit in on drums, vocal backup and guitar), and isn’t heavily produced, which gives it a fresh, unapologetic sound. Though he’s a stylistic chameleon, Hirshberg follows similar thematic threads throughout the album. Aging, parenthood, childhood and the discombobulated state of the world are addressed with charming and frank lyrics that at various points hint equally of earnestness and sarcasm. Whether he’s pondering the production of children’s toys in the remarkably catchy “Orange Lion” or calling for a new era of peace in “Watching Combat,” his distinct voice, creative melodies and compelling themes combine for an album that is diverse, but also distinctly Hirshberg."
Here is a link to purchase Ice At Home, my acoustic disc from 2007...
Bob Wire of the Missoulian says this about Ice At Home:
"..., it's one, two, sometimes three acoustic guitars driving the music, and he manhandles that six-string like it slept with his wife. It occupies a life-of-the-party presence in the mix that captures all the noise, as well as the music he wrings from the instrument - elbows and knuckles knocking on the face of the guitar, fingers sliding on the strings so fast that it sometimes sounds like he's sawing wood (“Roots In The Air”). The playing throughout is assured and, while not flawless, dripping with attitude.
The best song on the CD is “209.1 FM.” ...this sad little waltz hangs on the framework of (John) Sporman's gloomy bass notes like tattered laundry in the backyard of a shack under the airport's flight line. The melancholy, late-night feel of the music perfectly supports Hirshberg's duet with himself, as he sings of “wide awake disjointed beats.” Obtuse writing is Hirshberg's specialty, and he seems loath to spell out anything too clearly for the listener. Still, when the music's this good, I don't care if he's singing about a recipe for potato latkes - I'm dancing, baby."
Ha, that's hilarious. Yeah, our band doesn't have any vocals and the song isn't a blues progression at all. It's pretty much a 2 1/2 minute noisefest I wrote when I used to live on the East side. If you're ever at one of our shows I'll dedicate it to you. I'll definitely give your CD a spin on the radio. Sorry about being sober. I'll smoke a bowl in your honor. PEACE.
Larry, It went well. First set felt like a bust, no one there. Then the party started. We had Paul Simon, and David Bowie's drummer, Robin DiMaggio sit in for a few songs. Wow! Hands down the best drummer I've ever played with. You could drive a semi-trailer sideways through his pocket. It was Paw's Up - You never know what you're gonna get, but we have had some interesting, unusual, and fun gigs over there. Happy New Year! Hope your First Night show went well. I got electrical shocks through my lips for mine. Talk to you soon. Marco
howdy friends of larry hirshberg!! with solstice over and new years a wee bit away memorys memorys of lasts years festivals are in our ears and hearts combinin with cabin fever wow hot springs really make me mumble! so I just wanted to give a wee bit of info out on the booking of the love your mother earth festival, june 5,6,7
we are happy too announce(so happy(do we really have to wwait til jun))
ELEPHANT REVIVAL CONCEPT HOLDEN YOUNG TRIO (its his bday sat june 6)(and marcy, susans, and some random dude at the badlander) SHOOK TWINS SOVEREIGN SECT FULCRUM THEORY SUGARCANE STRING BAND BRIDGER CREEK BOYS DEAD LARRY MOUNTAIN GRIP WHITEWATER RAMBLE
and we are working on like 20 bands, 200 volunteers, 10 solo musicians, a parade coordinator, first responder (r.i.p. justin),
oh yeah the announcement of the super cheap january 1-feb 15 $30 tix, includes camping, hot springs, 30 bands, plays, comedys, solo, open mics, and all that fun, it'll be $55 at the gate...
thanks for the ideas! i'll see what the group thinks - also up in the running is paul reddick's "rosemary" and "lonely lonely nights" by eve monsees from that blues guitar women album you gave me. the gift that keeps on giving!
hey larry! so some buddies and i are going to perform a burlesque show in january and i was wondering if you had any ideas about a nice swanky dirty blues ditty.....we need a professional's opinion!
That is Jaslin, my God daughter, believe it or not.Extra trusting parents I suppose. She is part of my Dominican/Puerto Rican, Brooklyn family. They are great. And congrats Daddy Larry!
