Album Notes

NYC-based The Hillary Step produces great melodic acoustic rock. The band is another link in the great chain of rock ‘n’ roll evolution. In between the angry, leftover rap-metal bands and the bland, ubiquitous pop of today, the duo’s distinctive songs take listeners on a musical journey. Their clever, catchy tunes effortlessly shift from mid-tempo pop songs to jazz-inflected ditties to full-tilt, balls-forward reggae jams.

One of the truly exciting live bands around, The Hillary Step has built a sizable following at its shows. The band has played gigs in New England,the Midwest and most extensively in the New York metropolitan area, including hot spots Central Park Summer Stage, The Bitter End, Arlene’s Grocery, Caffé Vivaldi, Fontana’s Bar, Kenny’s Castaways and The Lion’s Den.

The Hillary Step features Rob Schiffmann (guitar, vocals, songwriting and everything else) and Jon Rothstein (bass, vocals, songwriting). Friends since childhood, they reunited after college and started writing acoustic rock songs as the duo Urban Badlands. After Urban Badlands grew into a six (sometimes seven) piece band, The Hillary Step was born, anchored by Rob and Jon and their smart, hummable tunes. One CD (“Knee Deep in Giants”) and many years of performing together later, The Hillary Step has returned to its roots as a duo, backed by the talents of Ale Devries (drums), Greg Hopkins (electric guitar), Annie Schiffmann (vocals) and Eric March (keyboards).

Named for the perilous last forty feet before Mt. Everest’s summit, The Hillary Step continues to climb to new heights in 2010. Rob and Jon have re-teamed with producer Ziad (Z) Al-Hillal to record their second CD “Note to Self”. Their new songs reflect their musical evolution while maintaining their solid hooks and gorgeous, three-part harmonies.