A New Hope?

Membership Changes Define The Latest Episode Of Hope For Agoldensummer's Saga

originally published April 25, 2007

Local sweetheart band Hope for Agoldensummer has gone through a series of changes over the past year. The shifts in the group have kept it out of the spotlight and in the studio, reworking the finely wrought sound that's been crafted through years of local shows, successful tours, radio appearances and a critically acclaimed and widely circulated first album.

With the loss of hitherto integral members Jamie Shepard and Will Taylor, on percussion and cello respectively, the remaining trio has had to rise up and fill in the blanks on what was already a delicately sparse arrangement. As daunting a challenge as it seems, sisters Claire and Page Campbell, and Deb Davis, have assumed the task with a grace that leaves little to be desired, evolving a simpler and more snow globe-esque sound that continues to garner praise.

According to the band, the recording of Hope For Agoldensummer's long-awaited sophomore release has been an exercise in keeping the studio door open, introducing other musicians to mend the sound together where cello- and drum-shaped holes brought the trio to an impasse. Since everyone hears and reacts to the music in a unique way, the new album promises to have a different and more diversified feel from track to track than I Bought a Heart Made of Art in the Deep, Deep South, the band's 2004 debut.

Other musicians bring a new outlook and voice, preventing Hope from miring in the stagnation that threatens any well-received musical group as time passes. Mouser's Kate Grace, Titans of Filth's Emily Armond and Jeff Tobias from We Versus the Shark and Dark Meat and are a few examples of the diversity being tempered into Hope, bringing brass and woodwind along with differing musical histories and tastes.

With no concrete plans for permanent new members on live shows, Claire Campbell says the band would like to eventually translate the studio process to the stage, involving a rotating cast of stand-in musicians. This would not only help to flesh out Hope's sparse sound and lessen the pressure inherent in simple sets with little room for error, but also give their individual live sets a one-of-a-kind, collect-them-all type feel, as every show will differ from the last with alternate musicians.

So what's up with Hope For Agoldensummer's former members? “I still play in the Athens Symphony and the Toccoa Symphony," says Taylor, "as well as providing music for weddings and formal affairs. I also give cello lessons from my house. I left the group for artistic differences really. I felt my contribution was no longer in line with the band’s mission.” Shepard continues to play drums for Decatur-based trio Telegram, and neither departed member is recording on the forthcoming album.

It’s as hard to replace a bandmate and fellow composer as it is to replace a good friend. In fact, replacement is often the wrong way to approach the matter, as no two people will ever mean the same to you, and it’s altogether demeaning to the old and new members alike to assume that they can be the same thing or provide the same music. With this approach in mind, the band is not looking for folks to simply fill in the holes so that the members can move on as they sounded before.

"As most folks know, you cannot replace someone that has disappeared from an aspect of your life," says Claire Campbell. "No two people are alike, and no two musicians perform exactly alike. Hope has always been comprised of creative souls. We take direction from each other, but generally compose our own parts for each song. When we do begin to actively seek new members, we will be looking not for folks who can merely replicate old parts, but who can develop new material. Keen ears. Keen brains. As far as the album goes, all of our friends have been very gracious in volunteering their talents, so there will be quite a number of guest appearances on this album.” Hope is an amorphic band that derives its presence and energy from this harmonic resonance of individuals. With new musicians, the group increases the range of possibilities on its watercolor palate with the contributions of friends. In essence, Hope is a new band every time the members sit down with new musicians, a meditation on the impermanence of any arrangement.

The trio’s other musical projects include Claire and Page’s involvement as back-up singers in the Dark Meat nebula, Stereo Campbell, and Davis’ band My Siamese Self, which returned to Athens to play at the Athens Boys Choir album release party at Little Kings in late March. As to whether these side projects detracted at all from the band’s energy, Davis says, “Claire, Page and myself find it necessary to have different vehicles for all the different messages and ideas that we may have. Naturally, the shade of HFAGS isn't always the proper avenue, but I find that all our various projects are quite cathartic, but for different reasons… different demons, I suppose.” Current goals include the above-mentioned album release and a West Coast tour. Hope is also planning a resurgence of local shows with this new incarnation, taking full advantage of local talent available for performances. In March, the band went on tour with Dark Meat on a run including South by Southwest, with members of the latter stepping in on percussion, lead guitar and piccolo, and the new trio formation performed twice at the 40 Watt Club over the past month.

With as many possible stand-ins as there are in the tumescent Athenian talent pool, Hope For Agoldensummer’s innovative performance ideas should flourish as another spring settles into the land. The band has a great opportunity to grow in unexpected directions, continuing to surprise and charm us with its intimately experimental sound.

Dave Commins

WHO: Modern Skirts, Hope For Agoldensummer, Packway Handle Band
WHERE: UGA Legion Field
WHEN: Thursday, April 26, 6 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $10