Hat On, Drinking Wine

http://www.myspace.com/hatondrinking

http://www.myspace.com/nicksworcester

My first question when I encountered Hat On, Drinking Wine was : "Where's the Drummer?"

Who: Hat On, Drinking Wine
When: Wednesdays at Nick's 8-11 pm
Hat on Drinking Wine is:
Matt Robert: Lead Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica ;
Ed Whalen: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Mandolin, Piano;
Jim Lang: Piano, Accordion, Tin Whistle;
Jarrett Conner: Drums

Influences: Wilco,Dave Matthews,Leonard Cohen,etc.

This is a talented group of singers and songwriters that change instruments like people change beer glasses in a bar.
From an accordion, to a piano, to a tin whistle, Jim Lang is truly indie experimentation at its finest.
Framed in Red and Gold curtains on the posh Nick's stage, every member of Hat On, Drinking Wine wore a baseball cap that juxtaposed the gleam of guitars in the golden light. Their musicality leaves an impression. They have an innate ability to harmonize with a disregard for a 'front runner'; they're not that kind of band. It's all about the overrall quality of the sound, and these three kings share, rather than boast, their wealth. Most of the songs sang were in the style of wistful love ballads, and Matt Robert's powerful voice swooped through the acoustics with a vibrato that parallels Van Morrison.
During Plastic Flowers, the unique sound of Hat On, Drinking Wine was fluid, powerful, and harmonius. "Back to Boston" brought stubstantial strumming and filled the room with pluckiness; Ed Whalen played the guitar like an upbeat electric bass.
The reprise of 'House on East Street' brought the duo of Whalen and Roberts together with split harmonies with a distinctly Americana feel.
Playing at Nick's for a year, they represent a versatility that is as alive as a heartbeat. With memorable, thought-provoking lyrics, Hat on Drinking Wine is constantly evolving,and that is how they keep people coming back.

After all these months, they still have a dedicated crowd as diverse as they are.

Ten months in the making, Hat On Recently released their seven song self-titled album June 12 that features songs regulars at Nick's will recognize. With everpresent melancholy lyrics, During 'Jackie' the last song on the CD, Jim Lang's lackadaisical piano accompanient brings a creative element to the piece.