Soriah, Metal, Eet & Childhood Friends

Large Poster Version

Sunday, April 20th, 9 PM
at Someday Lounge
125 NW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209

You are cordially invited to an eclectic and experimental benefit for KPSU, Portland's College Radio, featuring:

Beta-lactam Ring Records artist Soriah
with very special guests Metal
Eet and Childhood Friends

$5 cover, 21 and over only.

Soriah is a critically acclaimed performance artist and sound sculptor who draws on intensive study in Tuvan throat singing and classical Indian raga chanting filtered through a modern post-industrial and psychedelic perspective. Whether solo or accompanied by like minded musicians, Soriah promises a shamanistic experience of elaborate costumes and Butoh like movement set to sounds that appear to originate from outside this planet. His new album OFRENDAS DE LUZ A LOS MUERTOS on Portland's Beta-lactam Ring Records received this recommendation from reviewer Keith Boyd: "Several times during any listen as you are swept away in the clanking and organic soundscapes you will hear a small voice at the back of your awareness whispering, "Bliss and Void Inseparable".

Metal is a two piece ambient group who describe their sound as "...we're making love to science underwater." This is a fair assessment of the incredible atmospheric wash of their music, and also explains why the odd Jacques Cousteau sample sometimes finds it's way into the proceedings. While they obviously enjoy aggravating heavy metal fans who misinterpret what they are about from their name, that doesn't mean their quiet music is dull by any stretch. They bring visual elements such as film and mood lighting into their sets to create an entirely immersing experience.

Eet are yet another two piece, at least at the core, though they frequently turn up for shows with additional guests. Alyssa Reed and Ryan Stuewe are open about the fact that they are school teachers by day, and there is indeed an educational approach to the way they present their musical experiments. However, their students must be incredibly lucky, as these two have a sense of fun and charm that makes their toy instrument musique concrete entirely engaging. Seriously, they could easily explain why Columbus didn't really discover America by lecturing through circuit bent speak 'n spells and all manner of effects pedals without the kids even catching on that they were being subverted.

Childhood Friends may be the nicest parents of two you will ever hear sing ballads about bondage and psychic vampirism. Their pop sensibilities and flair for the dramatic never stop them from experimenting with new sound and new directions. If gothic music were allowed to be just a trifle more upbeat and less serious, then they would likely qualify for such a label, but even then they would gleefully confound any expectation you might bring to the table.

The proceeds of this event go to support KPSU, Portland's College Radio station, originating from Portland State University, and heard locally at 1450 AM or online via their website. KPSU is presenting several different benefit shows during their Spring Pledge Drive to get the word out about what a diverse array of sounds emanate from the sub-basement studio at PSU's Smith Student Union.