Blake Hickman
Assistant Promotions Director
Hey Friends,
Just wanted to alert you to the latest in our series of shows that we’re partnering up with Holocene for.
On May 14 there’s a killer lineup of Morning Ritual (Ben Darwish and the Shook Twins) alongside Portland up-and-comers Rio Grands (winner of And And And’s Riggstekball citywide band basketball tourney).
Morning Ritual is a collaboration between Portland-based composer Ben Darwish and twin singers, Katelyn and Laurie Shook, known as the Shook Twins. The band also features multi-instrumentalist William Seiji Marsh and drummer Russ Kleiner. Their first album, The Clear Blue Pearl, was self-released in May of 2013 and has gained considerable attention for its unique sound and overall concept.
Portland’s Willamette Week describes the album as “a record generous with sacred moments” and their sound is “unlike anything that has come before them.” Their live performance of “So Cold” was featured as a Favorite Session on NPR Music and BlackBook Magazine debuted their expansive music video for “The Drought.”
Darwish, the primary composer for the group, creates complex, piano-driven arrangements with soaring vocal melodies and harmonies. In addition, they employ live “glitch vocals” which can mimic a skipping record or the “pulses” used in Steve Reich’s music. Although you can hear a wide range of influences in their sound, it has been described as “fantasy folk” and “hypnotic R&B.”
The Clear Blue Pearl, tells the story of a man and wife who, after a drought plagues their land, set out in search for the Clear Blue Pearl, an aquifer which is rumored to be close underground. After a harrowing search, they finally discover the underground oasis they’ve been looking for, but once they decide to make it their new home, they realize they may have settled on unstable land.
Rio Grands bring a plethora of tunes all named after women woven with the sounds of Americana and distinct soothing vocals. Definitely worth showing up early for!
