ACOUSTIC BLENDER
ACOUSTIC BLENDER is an alternative folk group consisting of Hope Wesley Harrison, Justin Solonynka, and David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans (otherwise known as Two of a Kind). All the members of Acoustic Blender sing, and their vocal harmonies and arrangements are the centerpiece of the group. Acoustic Blender’s repertoire is eclectic, with themes ranging from the personal to the political, the ridiculous to the sublime. Along with numerous originals, the group covers songs by The Beatles, Patty Larkin, Jackson Browne, Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Roches and the Dixie Chicks. Songs about peace, justice and endangered species are found alongside ones about llamas and lime jello. Otto Bost, host of “Acoustic Eclectic” on WDIY-FM says: “[Acoustic Blender is] a group of four uniquely talented musicians who sing intelligent, witty, and uplifting songs.”
Hope lives in Allentown, PA. Though trained as an attorney, she spends most days caring for her energetic sons and spouse, pondering experimental menus, sanding and finishing Dad-made furniture, and scoring vocal arrangements. She is, therefore, sometimes yawning, occasionally blistered, but almost always cheerful, especially when making music.
David likes to sing, play, write, arrange, record and listen to music. David has a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He taught music at various schools and privately before quitting his day-jobs to do music full-time about 11 years ago. David mostly plays guitar and bass, and sometimes trumpet and percussion. He also brings his political commitment and bad humor to the group.
Jenny has been singing and dancing all her life. David and Jenny work together as Two of a Kind, performing and recording for children and families. They named their group before having identical twin sons Ari and Jason, so their name came true. In addition to singing and playing percussion, Jenny teaches pre-school music and does artist residencies in songwriting at elementary and middle schools with David. Prior to becoming a musician, Jenny worked in family planning and has a masters degree in Public Health.
Justin lives outside Philadelphia, PA. He is a teacher of math, music, and theater, and plays lots and lots of instruments, a few of them really well. He has recorded four solo albums and two others with the New South Wales Machine, as well as a couple of live archival sessions with Hope. He has starred in and scored a movie, journeyed across the continent and back in search of himself and other interesting people, and will politely decline if you offer him eggplant or mushrooms.