Episode 1: Introducing...DUCHESS!
Welcome to the inaugural episode of Harmony & Hijinks, the show in which the women of the New York City-based vocal trio Duchess explore and celebrate harmony, both in—and outside of—the world of music. When we started singing together, we discovered that humor, collaboration, and (yes) imperfection were essential ingredients for our signature style of harmony.
We're setting out to explore what harmony means to creative people from all walks of life, and to learn how they find joy and success in their chosen field. Along the way there’s sure to be laughter, storytelling, and probably hijinks---that’s just who we are.
In this episode...
...we interview each other and complete the Duchess Questionnaire.
Despite how much time we spend together onstage and on the road, we realize there's a lot we don't know about one another. For example, Melissa has deep ties to the animal kingdom, Amy howls with laughter when Ellen DeGeneres scares people on her show, and Hilary has a karaoke-and-country-music-filled past.
Fan Mail (excerpt)
Thank you to our Duchess Honey Bun, Lisa Austin, for these lovely thoughts, beautifully expressed on her blog:
"Duchess is about harmony. The musical kind, obviously. But it’ s bigger than that. They are what harmony looks like in action. They have a lesson to teach us about putting egos aside, sharing the spotlight, creating something greater than the sum of the parts…about laughter, friendship, mutual positive regard, and utter joie de vivre. It was a very pleasant surprise to discover, while sitting in a dive bar in New York, that these are the gifts Duchess offers anyone who is truly listening."
Learn more about the ladies:
Deep cuts from this episode:
Amy loves to watch Ellen scare people. DON'T TRY IT ON US, AMY!
Hilary's first vocal influence, Patsy Cline, singing Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart."
The pantsuit flash mob video that got Melissa dancing: girl power + Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling."