Haunt the House is many things. A trio, a 5 piece, a solo songwriter playing his songs. I am yet to find a group or artist in any one of those capacities that can move me emotionally with their music the way that the songs of Will Houlihan do. His songs are pure brilliance, beauty and suffering in the same breath. Bessie Bessin adding a layer that really elevates the sound to feel larger than a 3 piece and the blending of her voice with Houlihan’s is pure perfection. Amato Zinno holds is all down on the low end, switching from plucked bass notes to bow, back and forth, whatever the song calls for most…and when the three of them sing together it is all over. Goosebumps and shivers.
The latest project (originally a disc only available in hard copy format at the Newport Folk Festival) is a two track recording with one song that has quickly become one of my favorites in the world and another that is newer to me, but still evokes those same feelings I get when I hear these folks play together.
There is heart and soul and passion in this music. In a world where there are many artists trying to be something or writing in a fashion that isn’t heartfelt and real, this is the type of music that rises to the top. This is the cream, this is the good stuff. For lack of better words, I will re-quote myself and say that this just further proves Haunt the House’s music is “spooky, powerful, and affecting”.
It is true that Haunt the House is many things, but one thing is for certain: their music is passionate and evocative and moving unlike any other.