Veda Hille: Indie Pop = Hymnals plus Hindemith?
Veda Hille – Indie pop plus Hindemith!
Vancouver’s Veda Hille is an indie singer/songwriter who fashions classical instrumentation and catchy tunes into an erudite pop style. This Riot Life, her latest CD, draws on a wide assortment of influences. Its frequent eschatological references and cryptically, messianic-tinged lyrics (“Ace of the Nazarene,” “Book of Saints, ““Rose of Sharon”) represent a recent find: an old hymnal belonging to her grandmother.
The harmonic sophistication and extended formal designs of her songs reflect Hille’s classical training, as does an unorthodox rendition of “The Moon,” a Shelley setting by Paul Hindemith. Prog-rock inflections are present too; “Book of Saints’” hook cribs the chord progression from the final section of Yes’ “Starship Trooper.” And “Lucklucky” combines minimal ostinati and a chamber orchestration with an abundantly appealing chorus. Who would’ve thought that Hindemith could rock?!?
Thanks Veda!
i’m with you, rusty. and matt, you win the prize for being the first person to detect the schwitters influence. geoffrey farmer is the artist who arranged the picture, working directly from that schwitters piece. huzzah!
Is that a mock-up of the Schwitters Merzbau that she’s in?
I have never. Ever. Even once. doubted that Hindemith could rock.