We would not have Early Morning Hours from Sheer Funk and Misery if it were not for ryan hagelmans mom, Karen. She personally financed the production. Here is her memory from The Ties Weve Tied: Ryan brought his new friend Spencer home from 10th grade at Lahser High School. They had discovered each other in their first week in the hall when Ryan ran into Spencer in the hall and complimented him on his Ren & Stimpy t-shirt. They began a conversation about their mutual interests in music. Both were new to the school. Ryan coming from a private catholic boys prep school, and Spencer from the prestigious Interlochen School of Arts. I recall this darling curly topped tall teen, equal in size to Ryan, coming through the back door after school that day. Hey mom, meet my new friend Spencer! He plays guitar to! I made them sandwiches while I asked too many questions. They couldn’t wait to jam. As I was putting the laundry away in the adjoining room, I heard the sweet melody of Spencer singing what I learned to be “Big Blue Sun”. I found myself standing on the other side of the closed door smiling and saying wow. I wanted to bust through the door and applaud. He had such a lovely voice, and I couldn’t believe he wrote that himself. I was witnessing a pinnacle moment for these two boys that would evolve into an interesting relationship, and the beginning of a real band, Sheer Funk and Misery. Spencer was the missing link for three boys who had ambitions of competing in the upcoming Lahser Talent Show. Their union was magical, as they really did interpret each others style well as it rapidly and effortlessly evolved. Spencer was a daily wonder as his unbridled inspiration found him writing new lyrics up and down his arms, or on any scrap of available paper. To his words the rhythm flowed. One awesome song after the other was born through their combined talents. A record companies dream. This was all too good not to record, and promote. Myself being newly unemployed, realized I found very worthwhile new project, motivated and inspired by their fresh ambition, passion and raw talent. We all learned an awful lot about music production, performance, and each other. I think they learned the most about themselves. My involvement, as a mother, was resented at times. I sure believed in them with all my heart, and loved each of them, though that did become very challenging at times. It was inevitable that they would part ways, each to explore their own path. When they were good, they were so good, and so happy. It was a privilege as a mother and a sponsor to be in their lives for that exciting moment in time. I wish they could have all hung on to each other for a while longer. The band will always be in our hearts, with a tear and a smile. That complicated, talented, curly headed young, will always be missed. (below: The album cover for Early Morning Hours with Spencers concept cover not used and the inside front photo from the album):
Posted on: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 13:14:21 +0000
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