Music Video: Meet ‘The Second Hands’ of Greenport

Matittuck native Geoffrey Schroeder and southern transplant Laura Hoch are more than partners in love, they’re partners in music.

They’re called The Second Hands, but to many they’re first rate, and both Mr. Schroeder and Ms. Hoch are ready to entertain audiences with the release of their self-titled debut album.

They’ve lived together for about three years in Greenport and also work together at Peconic Bay Winery, where their CD release party will be held between 6 and 9 p.m. Friday.

“We’ve been playing together since the day we met four years ago at an open mic night at Martha Clara Vineyards,” Ms. Hoch said.

The two started out playing cover songs at Greenport Market, “for sandwiches and tips,” Mr. Schroeder said with a laugh, but that was before they learned they could write their own stuff, Ms. Hoch added.

The band’s name comes from their cover-song origins, a name fans suggested they keep after they began writing their own music.

“We write love songs, but I don’t think they’re clichéd love songs,” Mr. Schroeder said of their music. “I think we have a really original lyrical attack.”

An example of such, he said, can be seen in a song he wrote about Ms. Hoch growing up in Florida with the line, “There’s a woman whose blood is thinner than water and she won’t shed a drop, not even for her daughter.”

Ms. Hoch said she enjoyed writing songs about growing up in the south, which she said made her truly appreciate it for the first time.

“We spent a lot of time exploring the differences between southern and northern upbringing,” she said. “I grew up in a rodeo town and embracing that whole aspect of my upbringing was really cool.”

Ms. Hoch, who used to tour Europe with bands after graduating from SUNY Purchase, said everything changed when she had her children, Annica, 7, and Noah, 4.

“It’s hard because I have two kids and a job,” she said. “I used to be a touring musician, but with kids its hard to get far from home.”

The two recently recorded their debut album at Caroline Doctorow’s studio in Bridgehampton.

Pete Kennedy, American folk-rocker of, “The Kennedys,” engineered the recordings.

“He actually works with [popular singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith, so we were honored," Ms. Hoch said.

The two are country and folk music lovers with influences like Graham Parsons, Gillian Welch, The Band and The Byrds.

The Second Hands were scheduled to appear on Bonnie Gryce's show on 88.3 WPPB Wednesday.

gvolpe@timesreview.com

GIANNA VOLPE PHOTO | Matittuck native Geoffrey Schroeder and Southern transplant Laura Hoch are The Second Hands.