Farmington Hill has new blood.
The local country rock quintet that released the critically acclaimed “Bridge to Nowhere” in 2012 has been in a holding pattern, putting finishing touches on an album recorded in 2013 and trying out new musicians to fill vacated bass and drum spots.
They’ve only played one show in the last year, but Farmington Hill will perform Saturday at Ska Brewing Co. as a fundraiser for the Animas River Days festival happening later this month.
The members of Farmington Hill are Erik Nordstrom on guitar and vocals, Paul Iudice on guitar and vocals and Kelly Rogers on lap-steel guitar, plus newcomers Mary Hesse on bass and Logan Miller on drums.
Time spent with band members is a low-key affair. You sit down to do an interview, and before you can even talk about the band, you’re babbling about favorite new records or lamenting about a personal midlife crisis. It takes time to get around to talking about the band.
There are challenges when you search for a new rhythm section. It’s a hunt for the driving force of the band, and in that driving force, you need to find two people who are compatible with each other and the band itself.
“Getting a new rhythm section is like having a house that you like, but the whole foundation needs to be rebuilt,” Nordstrom said in an interview last week. “And, somehow, you’re now replacing the foundation of your house.”
The band auditioned many musicians to fill those roles. Miller came from the local rock band “You’re Welcome,” where Iudice plays bass.
“At the first half of our practice, I realized this guy was really good,” Iudice said of Miller.
“Nice guy, awesome player ... We started working together ... and (I knew) that if Farmington Hill ever needed a drummer, he could be it,” Iudice said.
Hesse is a relative newbie to the bass, but any nervousness about joining an established and respected band led by three friends quickly went away.
“The idea was intimidating, but as soon as I started playing with these guys, I knew it was going to be just fine,” Hesse said. “It’s fun to play in a band like this – it’s different from other types of music I’ve played. It’s very much a ‘have fun and make music and get people dancing’ kind of band. It’s a little bit more dynamic than standard country, which makes it more fun to play. It’s got more rock ’n’ roll in it.”
Farmington Hill also will perform at the San Juan Brewfest in August.
Liggett_b@fortlewis.edu. Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager.
Bryant’s best
Saturday: Farmington Hill plays a benefit for Animas River Days, 4 p.m. No cover. Ska Brewing Co., 225 Girard St. in Bodo Park, 247-5792.
Saturday: Folk and rock music with Black Velvet, 5:30 p.m. No cover. Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., 375-7150.
