A while back I was checking out a new HDTV channel called ‘RaveHD’ which broadcasts live music performances in a very well produced format. As HD not only has superior picture, but also far superior sound than regular television, its a great use of the new medium. Concerts I would never watch on regular TV can be riveting in HD.

One of the shows RaveHD features is called ‘City Sessions’ and features local working musicians from different cities, who each play one of their songs in a soundstage provided by Rave for quality recording.

One night I was watching City Sessions and caught an act known as ‘Heth and Jed’. They are just a bassist and a guitarist. Think ‘The Edge’ goes solo ambient. In fact, Heth and Jed (Weinstein, they’re brothers - Heth is the blond one) describe themselves as ‘Jambient’.

Bands like to think they create their own genre. I had a band in California, and we decided that we didn’t fit into any convention and called our sound ‘Mystic Vox’. I think thats part of H&J’s appeal for me - they are originally from Los Angeles, and although they also grew up in New Jersey, their sound and appearance for me is very Californian.

I liked Heth and Jed’s music alot - apart from their grunge-y appearance, they had a very mellow and listenable sound.

About 2 months later, I was walking from the S Train to Grand Central and heard some very familiar music coming from the GCT subway gates. Sure enough, it was Heth and Jed, performing the song I had heard on Rave - “Desert Sun”.

I bought a CD from them and told them I really liked their City Sessions performance, which they still hadn’t even seen yet, and wondered if it had ever aired at all. I told them it was on about 10 times a week.

They were really nice guys, very friendly and appreciative of the other fans who stopped to talk with them between tracks.

They are also featured in a new documentary film about street performers titled “Playing For Keeps“:

I encourage you to check out Heth and Jed’s tracks above, and definitely seek them out on the subway. For Metro-North riders, they will be in Grand Central Terminal next Tuesday, April 29th, near the 4, 5, 6 subway trains, at 3 PM, See their calendar for other locations and times.