Folk duo returns to Corvallis to share new tunes

CORVALLIS - Something magical seems to happen when John Hermanson and Chris Cunningham of Storyhill get together and pluck their guitars.

The two have a knack for unexpected lyrics, seamless harmonies and an easy balance that is the result, not so much of compromise, but of coming to grips with their very different styles and personalities over the years.

The acoustic duo grew up together in Bozeman, Mont., and recorded their first album by graduation.

After high school they eventually both attended St. Olaf in Minnesota. After college, the pair toured extensively, released 13 albums and sold 50,000 records as independent artists.

Despite their success, too much time together on the road quickly took its toll. To the shock of fans, they split up to pursue solo careers.

"By the time we broke up, we were close to being friends again," Hermanson said. "It was suffocating to be tied in with someone artistically - seen as a duo and not as individuals."

Going their separate ways, Hermanson stayed in Minnesota and played with bands Alva Star and The Hopefuls while Cunningham toured with 2 Forms of ID and Justin Roth and returned to Bozeman. Both released solo CDs.

"The other music that I do is very different, it's much more upbeat and kind of rockin'," Hermanson said.

In the meantime, fans continued to buy Storyhill albums and to wonder if a reunion might be in the cards.

Eventually the two came to the conclusion they could be better together than they were apart.

They reunited and in 2007 released the self-titled album "Storyhill" to rave reviews.

"'Storyhill' was kind of a return to our roots," Hermanson said.

The album was recorded with the help of producer Dan Wilson, who has worked with Semisonic, Dixie Chicks and Mike Doughty.

After reuniting, Hermanson and Cunningham also won the prestigious 2007 Kerrville New Folk Competition, at an 18-day festival in Kerrville, Texas.

Breaking up had allowed them to explore musically and gain their own identities.

"(We have) different circles that we run in and when we get together it is fresh," Hermanson said.

Now 38, and both married, Hermanson and Cunningham have gained some perspective on their relationship.

"We've both kind of come up with some working patterns that we respect in the other," Hermanson said.

Both men currently own their own production studios, so they record music on their own and send it to each other in digital formats.

The pair works to hone their songwriting to play to each other's strengths, writing and rewriting lyrics via e-mails and regular phone calls.

According to Hermanson, the sound of "Storyhill" now is similar to some of his and Cunningham's very first projects, but the song writing is much improved.

Hermanson looks forward to returning to Bombs Away Cafe, where Storyhill most recently played in November 2008.

"We really like the vibe," he said. "We play all kinds of shows, it's fun to shake it up with some smaller venues."

The duo are working on songs for a new CD project of just the two of them and their guitars. Wilson will again produce the album, which they hope to start recording in September.

The pair penned about 70 songs and carefully narrowed it down to about 10 for the new CD, according to Hermanson.

The whole experience has taught the pair to set aside their egos, according to Hermanson. "Just let it be this blend of the two of us."

The pair recently hosted the fourth annual Storyhill Fest near Bozeman, Mont., during the Fourth of July weekend.

"It's a pretty great opportunity to invite people that we love to listen to," Hermanson said. The guest performers included Jonathan Bird from North Carolina, Edie Carey from Chicago, Sarah Sample from Seattle and Justin Roth from Colorado.

"What we really love is the whole idea of writing original music and performing it," Hermanson said. "We basically trade songs around the fire all night."

This fall, they'll hold the first annual Storyhill Fest Midwest, near St. Paul.

Check it out

WHO: John Hermanson and Chris Cunningham

WHAT: Storyhill in concert.

WHEN: 9 p.m. Thursday, July 16.

WHERE: Bombs Away Cafe, 2527 N.W. Monroe Ave., Corvallis.

COST: $10.

INFO: www.storyhill.com or www.myspace.com/storyhill.