So here we are in sunny southern California – Niklas and I – albeit without the Zach Hillyard Band. Alas…all good things must come to an end. But, to further quote cliche …not without another great opportunity at the door!

We’ll being sharing some exciting news soon so stay tuned! Wes Switzer – bass

Indies’ Top Ten, hosted by Mike Cameo at http://www.indiestop10.com and iTunes – has given us the HUGE honor of being included in the August 2008 Top Ten – POP! We are really jazzed to be a part of this group – take a listen for yourself – we think you’ll agree that the list offers some of the finest bands here on OurStage as well as other web music sites. I think you’ll immediately recognize several of the others on the list as artists you’ve voted for here! The proof is in the pudding folks – people are listening!

We’ll be on the flight to California this weekend. Be watching for us if you live out there. Of course we’ll be back to Boston for shows here and in New York. With any luck it will be sooner than later. Especially so if we win the competition for UFO Hefeweizen, the Harpoon Brewery. As you know we are in that Top Ten as well (it’s been a great summer for us!).

The winner of the 2008 Best UnFiltered Band Search will be announced on the newly launched UFO Hefeweizen website, www.UFOHefeweizen.com,on September 15th, 2008. Vote for this at the Harpoon Brewery website, www.harpoonbrewery.com

West Regional Conference Nov. 13-16, 2008: Ontario, CA For more info got to:

http://www.naca.org/NACA/Regions/West/WestShowcaseResults.htm

Hey…the band will be playing at the National UnderGround this Thursday July 31, 2008 at 10 p.m. 159 e. Houston St at Allen St, NYC -right near the village.

We go on at 10pm, hope you guys can make it, and bring your friends to get your dance on!

According to an article in the New York Post from a few weeks ago the National Underground is quite the spot to see and be seen:

April 13, 2008 by Brian Niemietz

159 E. Houston St.; (212) 475-0611

It turns out the Lower East Side is a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, thanks to this Texas-themed music venue opened in part by singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw shortly before the year began. Local acts play upstairs for free or $5, bigger bands jam in the basement for $5 to $20, and each space holds about 90 people. Giddyup and come on down.

Here’s your VIP tour.

Though most of the lower level is standing room only, the three leather booths were part of a restaurant set in

“The Godfather.”

At $8, Truck Stop Tea is the specialty cocktail – freshly brewed ice tea, Country Time lemonade and Jack Daniel’s.

Former Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ frontman Kevin Kinney headlines Monday nights’ Shaynirae’s Truckstop party.

R.E.M., Drive-By Truckers and the Allman Brothers have stopped in to catch one of his shows.

Glenn Close, Julia Stiles and Moby have made the rounds.

Joss Stone has sat in and played.

Performer’s Mag – Musician’s Resource

Zach Hillyard Band – Self-titled EP

Recorded and Engineered by Michael Woodrum at SoundMoves Audio in Burbank, CA, except for tracks 3 and 7 Recorded and Engineered by Wesley Cole Switzer at Firefly Recording in Cambridge, MA. Mastered by Nathan James at “The Vault Mastering Studios” in NY

Complete with lush, soulful melodies, head-bobbing grooves and funked out breakdowns that tastefully merge rock with soul, the Zach Hillyard Band possesses a clear sense of self despite this being their first official release. This innate confidence is a result of the well-conceived creations of songwriter/keyboardist Zach Hillyard. Pervasive lyrical themes revolve around the archetypal search to find one’s way through life and love, and are consistent with that of a young man (Hillyard) who recently concluded his apprenticeship at Berklee College of Music and is now prowling out into the world. The songs often evoke feelings of melancholy and uncertainty, but impressively, never of lament.

“Dharma Bum” and “Back For More” stand out with their infectious grooves that merge into unforgettable choruses, elevating both the sonic and thematic/lyrical import of the verses. And while “Dharma Bum” is an inherently cliché song title given the notoriety of Jack Kerouac’s seminal work of the same name, the vocal performance of Hillyard and the fleshed-out orchestration from his band wins over a skeptical listener almost immediately.

Adding a refreshing deviation to the rock/soul formula that drives the album is the samba-inspired tune “All The Same.” While this is a carefully chosen track designed to offer listeners an expanded sonic context, it delivers in showcasing the exceptional talents of the musicians and offers a more exploratory sound that should be exploited by the band in the future.

Rounding out the EP are two piano ballads (“Rain Like This” and “Gone”) that prove a fitting conclusion to the album. Rich orchestration and astounding vocal performances from guest Isabella Canana combine with Hillyard’s wistful baritone to offer a highly personal and evocative

glimpse into the mind and heart of one of New England’s most talented songwriters. (self-released)

www.zachhillyardband.com

- Michael Oliveri http://www.performermag.com/nep.recordedreviews.0807.php