New York (November 19, 2010)–Radiohead drummer Philip Selway recently toured behind his first solo CD, Familial, opening for Wilco while using a full compliment of Heil Sound mics.
The Heil Sound connection for Selway can be traced to Sean “Sully” Sullivan, a longtime Heil mic user who brought his mics on tour with Thom Yorke’s band, Atoms for Peace. Selway’s monitor mixer Mick Brown and FOH Gavin McComb took note which lead to the drummer’s input list being sent to the Heil Sound factory. A package consisting of (7) PR 35s, (6) PR 30s, (2) PR 40s and a HDK drum mic kit were shipped for the tour that kicked off in Tokyo.
The show was acoustic driven and Selway’s four-piece band provided support with vocal harmonies and a variety of instruments. Between them Caroline Weeks and Kath Mann played keyboards, recorders, flute, viola, harmonium, glockenspiel and even a musical saw. Adem Ilhan played bass and handled lead vocals on one song. Drummer Alex Thomas stuck to drums although he had help on the last number, “What Goes Around,” when everyone grabbed sticks, clustered around his kit and bashed cymbals and toms at will.
A review on SPIN.com stated, “At this fragile volume, Selway’s voice stood out magnificently, the mic picking up every tiny nuance. Each bout of reverent applause came as a deafening shock; this being Tokyo, there was no heckling, no chatter, just total immersion.”
Gavin McComb cxplained, “I have pretty much converted to Heil. The PR 35s are fantastic for Philip’s voice. The big test for me though were the PR 30s on the very quiet instruments such as musical saw and the glockenspiel. Before, we were using condensers, but failed to get enough purchase (level) and I was always close to howling feedback. I was excited to try the PR 30s and when I finally did I was thoroughly delighted. Good level with great sonic quality. Happy days!”
Heil Sound
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