On May 16th at Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, Oregon-based composer Ben Darwish will release his latest project, Morning Ritual, and release their first piece on 12" vinyl, "The Clear Blue Pearl" (featuring Shook Twins).
Also on the bill are De La Warr. Doors are at 8pm, show starts at 9pm. Tickets are $10.00 in advance. The show is 21+.
Ben Darwish, well-known throughout the Northwest as a versatile songwriter and composer, creating everything from free-form jazz and hypnotic R&B to off-kilter indie-pop, Darwish doesn't rest on just one sound or style, incorporating his many musical passions and influences into his diverse sounds.
His latest project, Morning Ritual, features Darwish on keyboards, William Seiji Marsh on guitar, Russ Kleiner on drums, and everyone on vocals. It touches on nearly every genre Darwish has worked with in the past, making it hard to define, but ensuring each piece fuses different musical influences together within the framework of a style that's uniquely their own.
The result of the Individual Artist Fellowship from Oregon Arts Commission, and Darwish's month-long Artist in Residency at Caldera Arts, Darwish was initially able to raise $10,000 through USA Artists to produce the album. He then received the 2013 RACC Project Grant to turn his composition, "The Lonely Night," into a multi-media performance.
"Morning Ritual is a transformative project for me," comments Darwish. "It allows me to pursue songwriting like I never have before while still incorporating my other vast range of influences. In addition, I am able to explore my more creative side of storytelling. Working with Shook Twins have opened my ears to new possibilities in music."
Folk duo Shook Twins joined Darwish in Morning Ritual for their first piece, entitled "The Clear Blue Pearl."
"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.
A video for "Tunnel of Light" featuring Shook Twins can be found here:
A treat on record, the project is best experienced live, with live shows on the horizon pending the album's release. Instead of a series of single songs, their live performance is best described as an experience which will transcend your expectation of a live concert.
