Copper Hill
‘Once Around the
Sun’
Self-released
A dynamic quartet of
classically trained Eastman musicians, Copper Hill defies traditional Americana
standards with its folk-art fusion of country, roots, blues, and jazz. Formed
in 2017, Copper Hill is celebrating the release of its debut full-length album,
“Once Around the Sun.”
Violinist-vocalists
Willa Finck and Katie Knudsvig share jovial duets in “Poppies” and
the title track — their instrumental harmonies and vocal harmonies in sync.
“Tangerine” features a complex pizzicato part by upright bassist
Caroline Samuels, while Ethan Cypress’s banjo shines out in “Stuck in
Time.” The band creates lyrical irony in “Moonshine” and
“Wildflowers” by using the fragrant, floral imagery of natural life
to portray serious metaphorical messages about death and existence. Elsewhere, Copper
Hill pays dark homage to she-wolf mythology in “Witching Hour.”
“Once Around the
Sun” is an odyssey of upbeat, whirling reels and fruitful ballads with
melancholic, modal twists. Each song is a sweet and hauntingly lush poem with
forward-driving daydream music built around it.
This article appears in Jul 3-9, 2019.
