S&H
S&H is the duo of Samm Bennett and Hiroshi Habu.Their musical communication is fluid and highly intuitive, their sense of groove and dynamics, and their basic musical personalities, are very complementary. S&H's musical energy and synergy are palpable: their joy in creating music together is something their audiences feel from the outset.
Their material consists of Samm's original songs (and the occasional cover), which lean toward a bluesy or folky character. Samm's stark and simple strumstick accompaniment is a bit reminiscent of old time southern Appalachian music and early blues. The strumstick (a three-stringed instrument adapted from the Appalachian "mountain dulcimer" and sounding like a cross between banjo and guitar) and Hiroshi's simple percussion (drums he's made himself, from scratch) balance each other perfectly, providing a transparent, compelling musical fabric on which Samm's songs soar and glide.
Samm's lyrics run the gamut of humorous ditties, serious and introspective explorations, story songs featuring all sorts of characters, countrified surrealist wordplay and more.
S&H's musical appeal is broad: lovers of country music, blues, folk and related styles will latch onto their sound and delivery, for sure, and others who go for singer/songwriters like Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Richard Thompson and suchlike will find enjoyment in Samm's lyrics. The extra punch provided by Hiroshi's solid drum work will be appreciated by lovers of African music and also features more than a hint of Korean folk drumming styles. A little something for almost everyone, then, in the simple but powerful music these two musicians have to offer.
S&H's simple, stripped-down sound and relaxed feel make for a very tactile and intimate musical experience that is refreshing in its sonic transparency and immediacy.
Their material consists of Samm's original songs (and the occasional cover), which lean toward a bluesy or folky character. Samm's stark and simple strumstick accompaniment is a bit reminiscent of old time southern Appalachian music and early blues. The strumstick (a three-stringed instrument adapted from the Appalachian "mountain dulcimer" and sounding like a cross between banjo and guitar) and Hiroshi's simple percussion (drums he's made himself, from scratch) balance each other perfectly, providing a transparent, compelling musical fabric on which Samm's songs soar and glide.
Samm's lyrics run the gamut of humorous ditties, serious and introspective explorations, story songs featuring all sorts of characters, countrified surrealist wordplay and more.
S&H's musical appeal is broad: lovers of country music, blues, folk and related styles will latch onto their sound and delivery, for sure, and others who go for singer/songwriters like Tom Waits, Randy Newman, Richard Thompson and suchlike will find enjoyment in Samm's lyrics. The extra punch provided by Hiroshi's solid drum work will be appreciated by lovers of African music and also features more than a hint of Korean folk drumming styles. A little something for almost everyone, then, in the simple but powerful music these two musicians have to offer.
S&H's simple, stripped-down sound and relaxed feel make for a very tactile and intimate musical experience that is refreshing in its sonic transparency and immediacy.