TIME OUT NY - NOV. '99

November 15, 1999

I am writing this letter to express my most sincere enthusiasm for an
up and coming of talented individuals who charm audiences with a relatively
unexplored genre of music; funk pop. The ensemble, The Hillary Step, is an
arrangement of six young artists who utilize their voices as well as their
manipulation of the guitar to create a sound that is a fresh and exciting
alternative to much of hat you hear in Indie Rock today. The band, with
a mixture of original lyrics, enchanting harmonies created by the mesmerizing
voices of Suzanne Morris, Jon Rothstein and Rob Schiffmann, is truly a
musical triumph. I happened to have the good fortune of catching the singing
act at the venues Down Time as well as CB’s Gallery, both of which had
audiences who were captivated by The Hillary Step. What’s more, as a
patron of CB’s Gallery, as well as CBGB’s, a space legendary for The East
Village’s punk rock scene, often catering to a hard-core audience of th
e same nature, I was amazed at the reception The Hillary Step was given.
It was refreshing to seee an audience, who would otherwise be unexposed
to this funk pop genre, receive with enthusiasm, this band. The Hillary Step
has also been featured on Summer Stage, Baby Jupiter as well as The Baggott
Inn and is in the process of releasing a much anticipated album by the name
of Knee Deep in Giants. The album is currently being test marketed in Canada and should be in the States early 2000. Other members of the band include Joe DeGise II on the rhythym guitar, Melissa Houston on drums as well as Matthew Dunn on bass. I very much look forwrad to the development of The Hillary Step and their much deserved success in the new millennium.

 - Jeff Whitney