Barra Brown
The diversity of Brown’s musical experience is the driving force of his newest full-length LFT:RT (released March 5th, 2021). The album’s title represents Brown’s attempt to break down the binary thinking so often used to sort complex human life into simplified categories. KMHD Radio premiered the album and stated: “An adventure of an album with Brown’s ear for creative rhythmic structures and immaculate production front-and-center, “LFT:RT” inspires listeners to let go of their expectations and just listen.” -KMHD Jazz Radio. Jazz Revelations called it “something undoubtedly unique.”
It’s the rare artist from whose catalog a listener can pluck any song and instantly recognize who’s at the helm. Portland-based drummer, composer and producer Barra Brown’s artistic restlessness has led him from avant-garde beat-based music as one half of Korgy & Bass to original acoustic jazz compositions with his Barra Brown Quintet – but it’s the thematic ambition of Brown’s releases and the fearless merging of electronics and improvisation that let his voice shine through no matter the genre. Within each of his compositions carries a form of experimentation, homage, play, joy, and critique and constantly leans into what’s next.Barra has shared the stage with Ani DiFranco, Gregory Alan Isakov, Robert Glasper, and Makaya McCraven among others. He has worked with Tucker Martine, Michael Curry, OMSI, PNCA, Alan Jones, and the Portland Jazz Composer’s Ensemble.
SHEERS
"Rather than being some experimental collision of pop and classical, ‘high’ and ‘low’, the Sheers sound is instinctive and heartfelt, the various threads knitted seamlessly.” (Various Small Flames)
Sheers’ solo harp sets are as virtuosic as they are sincere and inviting. Poetic, often humorous lyrics are dynamically delivered over intricate jazz harp lines and chest-rattling synth bass, all performed simultaneously by songwriter Lily Breshears. Breshears tours regularly in the bands Haley Heynderickx and Alexandra Savior and has collaborated on harp with Jenny Slate, Lonnie Holley, poets, and performance artists.
On November 4th, Sheers released their EP In A Crowd, a collection of five songs with adventurous arrangements and lyric content that pulls listeners through literal and metaphorical crowds, narrating the happenings therein.
