Pennsylvanian Dark Electronica EBM band The Number H had its unique name chosen by band member Elizabeth Horahan. Based on a personal moniker she has used, it is a hybrid of a personal nickname H and her obsession with the cult classic TV show “The Prisoner“ where the main characters name is Number 6. The show deals with universal themes important to Horahan like identity and individualism. “Its something that always resonated with me“ explains Horahan.
Having initially been intimidated about taking a step into the music world, “ my first foray up until now was being absolutely terrible at the violin in 4th grade“, she found herself in the company of really wonderful and supportive friends who encouraged her to make music. Working on her own she released a song via Obscure Sorrow Records Horahan and met Tom Rhymer of The Russian White. Rhymer also happened to run Lost Glacier Records. After bonding over what Horahan describes as a big Taco Dinner, before a show Rhymer was playing in her city, Rhymer encouraged her to start taking her music seriously. Horahan began working with Producer and Engineer Sean Marz of Five Locks.
Following several traumatic years and having to deal with multiple life altering and awful events in a short period of time Horahan became completely disassociated. Finding music has proved a very constructive experience for Horahan allowing her to find herself, express herself and work towards some semblance of recovery. She explains that at some point, in varying degrees, everyone must deal with “pain, loss, regret and death“. It’s important that “we feel them, hold them, understand them and find somewhere to put them down.“ she reiterates.
A fan of “found art“, a phenomena Horahan describes as using bits of other items put together in a new way with some original pieces to create something new. This might include clippings and objects for visual art or words and sounds from several sources for found poetry.
A majority of Horahan‘s songs contain quotes from Shakespeare. She describes Shakespeare as a huge influence on her even before she started in music, having seen her first Shakespearian play at the age of seven. The timeless nature of Shakespeare‘s thematic work as well as his poetry being used to convey concepts and feelings are hauntingly enduring to Horahan. Sounds of the mundane are inspiring to Horahan and her songs contain harvested sounds like frog noises, a doorstop, a passing train and the sound of her running as well as found poetry.
Having a very strong friendship and artistic relationship with artist Jay Arch, who is the mastermind behind Black Magic Films resulted in him making the music video for The Number H’s song “Nothing” as well as the cover art for both EPs. “Jay has an incredible artistic vision and I feel extremely fortunate to be able to work with him and to call him my friend”, says Horahan who has also collaborated with Arch on unrelated photoshoots. They discuss the mood and feeling that the band want to convey and what materials will help with that portrayal.
Starting with a feeling Horahan’s creative process has her using inspiration from various sources. “For the track “Grief” I received some really upsetting news and wanted to channel that into a constructive outlet. “ Finding solace in the words of Shakespeare spoken by Constance in King John she was able to express that grief is like waves, surging and ebbing. “I picked pieces of the verbiage that fit with the waves and in working with Sean, we developed surging sound scapes to really embody the feeling, completely enveloping the listener and then retreating.”
Horahan hasn’t done a live performance with The Number H and doesn’t think for this particular project it is necessary. As far as the direction of the band goes she says that remains to be seen. As Horahan evolves she says that the music evolves with her. She hopes that her music is enjoyable and that in some way the listener is able to connect to it. Horahan encourages new listeners to her music to listen to her song “Miss Me”. She challenges listeners “ if they ever thought a song could have a base layer of a phone recording of someone running. “ She is interested if listeners can tell and what they think. The Number H provide some unique and fascinatingly beautiful music for new listeners.
Links
Bandcamp : https://thenumberh.bandcamp.com/
Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lat8kwVukm6WPIRgb1Exk?si=5g-iLCkdRB-BFfq8JLWjxw
