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First Listening: Regina Hexaphone

from The Daily Athenauem
(West Virginia University)
August 30, 2004

By Jenn Young
Staff Writer

Regina Hexaphone
The Beautiful World
Erie Recordings
One of Regina Hexaphone's first performances was in North Carolina at a Fourth of July party in 1998. Since then they have released the now out-of-print Eleven Songs and contributed to various compilation albums over the years (including a Waylon Jennings tribute).

While trying to pursue their respective careers in music, Hexaphone's members have also cut their chops with a number of already-established indie bands along the way.

Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Sara Bell currently plays in Shark Quest, bassist Chris Clemmons still works with The Management, and violinist Margaret White has toured and performed with North Elementary, Belle and Sebastian, Cat Power, and Sparklehorse.

The band also touts former WVU grads Nathan Brown, who just joined up as a keyboardist (also of Laramie UK and Star City), and percussionist, lap steel player, Jerry Kee (owner of Duck Kee recording and member of The Feebles).

The Beautiful World is the band's first official debut. Released earlier in June, it is a beautiful album layered with enchanting lap steel, cello, mandolin, piano, and violin arrangements built around soothing vocal work.

Regina Hexaphone's cover tries to reflect how beautif ul the world is in one image. The album itself conveys how beautiful the world is in one album.

They are a band that even on the worst of days would be able to convince you that it is a beautiful world indeed.

Regina Hexaphone plays 123 Pleasant Street Aug. 13.