Folk rock outfit He's My Brother She’s My Sister (HMBSMS)––the name was derived from the siblinghood of founding members Robert Kolar and his sister Rachel––had considered a number of labels before deciding on Santa Monica, CA’s Park The Van Records (PTV). “PTV came on very early,” recalls guitarist Robert.
“When we played South by Southwest last year, [label rep] Chris [Watson] approached us after our set. It was great because it wasn’t a huge show in front of a massive audience, but it was one we felt good about. Basically he said, ‘We want to work with you guys,’ right then and there.”
PTV was not the band’s first choice, however. “We'd been looking at labels like ANTI-, Glassnote and Merge [Records],” Robert recalls. “PTV was definitely there; they were responsive. Some of the other labels, the way they handled it was kind of disrespectful.
“Now we’re one of PTV’s priorities,” he continues. “They’re always pushing different opportunities our way. These guys really believe in us.” Initially, HMBSMS landed management with erstwhile Capitol Records COO Jon Polk by way of former band cellist and established actor Satya Bhabha. “Jon was incredibly generous with us,” Kolar observes. “He invested his own money in the band.”
Ever since Nobody Dances in This Town dropped last October, the band has hit the road hard, averaging 150 shows a year. Festival stops in 2013 have included Bonnaroo and Delaware’s Firefly.
– Rob Putnam
