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Concert tour encourages students
to visit local public libraries.

The High Strung will play a full set of their
high-energy, well-crafted psychedelic pop at each
library appearance.

SUZANNE CHESSLER

Special to the Jewish News

ibraries across the state are like-
ly to be taking down any signs
requesting low voices — at
least for a couple of hours. The gesture
is to accommodate the High Strung
and those interested in listening to
them.
The High Strung, an all-Jewish rock
trio whose members met in Michigan,
has toured small clubs around the
country over the past four years and is
ready for some new experiences and
time at home. As they take a break
from major, almost nonstop, travel,
they have launched a project to get
teens reading.
The group's first "Rock & Roll
Library Tour" goes to some 40 facilities
and already has had one very upbeat
outcome. The project caught the atten-
tion of Ira Glass of National Public
Radio, and a reporter from This
American Life will be covering shows in
July.
"We don't need a big stage," says
Josh Malerman, guitarist-vocalist who
performs with Derek Berk on drums
and Chad Stocker on bass. "We don't
need a bar and lights. What we need is
a room full of people who want to hear
good music and a band that wants to
make that and play it for them. Why

English at Michigan State University.
After graduation, the musicians moved
to New York.
'We do short rock songs with high
harmony," says Malerman, who had
his bar mitzvah at Temple Israel.
"Many of them are character sketches."
The High Strung got its experience
at small venues by calling ahead and
asking to perform. They left the pay-
ment amount up to each manager,
who made the decision after watching
them and the reaction of the audience.
"I bought a magazine that lists ven-
ues and phone numbers, and my first
phone bill was $3,000," Malerman
says. "After 18 months, we started to
make money and hired someone else
to do the bookings. We allowed each
band member $10 a day after spending
the rest on travel expenses.
"There was never time for sightsee-
ing, but we did meet a lot of friendly
Becoming A Band
people. Some would invite us into
The High Strung, which will perform
their homes, and we had only one bad
at Smalls Bar and Grill in Hamtramck
experience. We saw how different peo-
Friday night, started out with four
ple live, and it was an overall lesson in
members, but singer-guitarist Mark
-
human kindness."
Owen tired of the travel and decided
The
group
is
optimistic
with
their
to stay in New York. Malerman con-
songs, written by Malerman. The first
nected with the other two musicians
while in seventh grade at Orchard Lake recording, These Are Good Times, was
released in 2003 on Tee Pee Records.
Middle School in West Bloomfield.
The second is being released in
The friendship and performing con-
September by Future Farmer Records.
tinued through West Bloomfield High
Moxie Bravo includes "Seems It's
School and while he majored in

can't that happen in a library?"
The High Strung, about to release its
second CD, Moxie Bravo, is halfway
through its library tour and has per-
formed at the Baldwin Public Library
in Birmingham, the Livonia Public
Library and more distant book centers.
The series of library dates came after
Malerman contacted the Birmingham
library about the group's new record-
ing, asked about an appearance and
was mentioned at a librarians' conven-
tion.
"We usually play 45 minutes and
take questions from the audience," says
Malerman, 29, who did the bookings
that kept the band in a makeshift tour
bus. 'As we meet with teens, we refer-
ence books and talk about the authors
who inspired us. We're all big readers."

One Thing," about an overachiever
who minimizes her accomplishments;
"The Gentleman," about a jealous nar-
rator admiring a smooth talker; and
"Deck the Boy With Mettle and
Manhood," which offers romantic
advice.
Malerman, a steady reader whose
favorite author is Stephen King, has
branched out from writing songs. His
first novel, Wendy, takes readers into a
fantasy world that is the opposite of
scary. The book, being released next
year by Elitist Publications, has to do
with sexual illusions.
As the High Strung travels the
library circuit, the band is prepared for
groups of all sizes.
"It's exciting to imagine that we're
making people think," Malerman says.
"I hope that the librarians work hard
to let the teens in their areas know
we're on our way." ❑

The High Strung can be heard at
9 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Smalls
Bar & Grill, 10339 Conant,
Hamtramck. (313) 873-1117.
Upcoming library dates include
Ann Arbor District Library, 343
Fifth, July 15, (734) 327-4200;
Oak Park Public Library, 14200
Oak Park Blvd., July 17, (248)
691-7480; Farmington
Community Library, 32737 12
Mile, July 19, (248) 553-0300;
Plymouth District Library, 223 S.
Main, July 24, (734) 454-0013;
Northville District Library, 212
W. Cady , July 25, (248) 349-
3020; West Bloomfield Public
Library, 4500 Walnut Lake Road,
Aug. 4, (248) 209-3041; Salem-
South Lyon District Library,
9800 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon,
Aug. 5, (248) 437-6401; Brandon
Township Public Library, 304
South Street, Ortonville, Aug. 6,
(248) 627-1460; and Auburn
Hills Public Library, 3400 E.
Seyburn Drive, Aug. 12. (248)
370-9466. Times are available by
calling the libraries. A full sched-
ule is at www.thehighstrung.com .

7/14
2005

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