The Mending Wall is an exercise in melancholy
pop music. Acoustic strums and accordion pads come together with
violin, oboe, and recorder melodies to cushion vocals delivering a downtrodden
longing. The music is sparce and, at times, orchestral. Lush
chords betray their folk underpinnings, and pop melodies disguise their
dejected messages.
The Mending Wall came about when, after moving
from a Durham, N.C. farmhouse to a Carrboro, N.C. apartment complex, Gary
began writing quiet songs on an acoustic guitar. Most of these
wouldn't work with his other band of the time, Gumption. Armed with
the idea to put a new band together for these songs, he posted a
message to alt.music.chapel-hill.
Initially, The Mending Wall was going to be a big band -- at one point
eight people. After dropping to three and then changing sporadically
for a few months, the group settled to four participants.
-
Heather Russell - oboe, recorder, vocals
-
Pete Lucey - accordion, organ
-
Gary Miller - acoustic guitar, vocals
-
David Schulman - violin
Each member has other musical activities. Heather
is a solo artist and also
lends her talents to various recording projects in the area. Gary,
Pete, and David were all in the western-swinging Earl Wells and the Gushers,
a wonderful little combo that no longer exists. Gary played in Gumption
for close to three years.
