The Deluge

Artist Information

Biography

Every once in a while you see a band that leaves an indelible imprint on you, drawing you in with a unique sound, gripping you with unexpected turns throughout their performance. Founded in 2005 by Andrew McKee (guitar) and Matthew O'Rane (viola), The Deluge is surely one of these bands. Along with brothers Grant and Shane Jordan (drums and bass), the instrumental group has captivated audiences with their seamless blend of progressive rock, jazz, world, classical, and electronic elements. On the verge of releasing their debut full-length (a concept album placing the Biblical flood story in modern times), the group is poised to win over listeners with new sounds, textures, and some new additions to their lineup brought in to recreate the expansive sound of the album for the live show. With their new instrumentation, album, and debut music video in the works, The Deluge is ready to take their place among the ranks of fellow prog-rock acts Tool, The Mars Volta, The Cinematic Orchestra, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, and Muse.

Instrumentation

Andrew McKee - guitars, aux. vocals, trumpet, didgeridoo, aux. percussion, synths/samples

Matthew O'Rane - viola, lead vocals, clarinet, aux. percussion

Grant Jordan - drumset, percussion, samples

Jordan Shokrian - bass, percussion

Discography

"Inverted Earth" (LP)
available on CD Baby
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/TheDeluge1

Self-titled (EP)

DVD - Live at The Jazz Bakery

DVD - Live at Java the Hutt/The San Diego County Fair

Official Website

http://www.myspace.com/thedelugemusic

Links

• MySpace
• Facebook
• Check us out on Reverbnation!
• Click here to view our MTVU Artist Page!

Audio

• Liquid 7th (radio edit)
  Listen  
• Variations (radio edit)
  Listen  
• Undulations
  Listen  
• Inverted Earth (radio edit)
  Listen  
• Root
  Listen  
• Neo-Classical Afrique
  Listen  
• The Paradoxical Sphere
  Listen  

Video

Variations on a Monotone

Photo Gallery

Press

• add salt review of "Inverted Earth" [+ Show ]
  

  "The Deluge release first full-length, 'Inverted Earth'..." The Deluge has been the brainchild of..."The Deluge release first full-length, 'Inverted Earth'..."
  
  The Deluge has been the brainchild of multi-instrumentalists Matthew O'Rane, Andrew McKee and Grant Jordan for half a decade now, and their first full-length, Inverted Earth stands as a testament to 5 years spent working out all the little kinks to craft an original concept album.
  
  The concept, according to their myspace, involves "placing the Biblical flood story in modern times". And there you have it: an idea so genius, that I may appropriate it in the future when I compose my own instrumental record.
  
  I keed.
  
  It is safe to say then that The Deluge's most ambitious project to date is also their most solid. By crafting and recrafting their post-rock stylings in the vein of jazz, electronic, world and classical, the triad never touch down for too long in one genre before pushing forward to the next. Their knowledge of theory makes this endeavor unique, but their grasp of timing is what deems the project tasteful, molding a sound that is, if not Biblical, certainly epic in it's scope.
  
  While the album aims to superimpose a classic tale on a contemporary setting (a model which I dare say James Joyce would be proud of), the most pleasant aspect of Inverted Earth lies in it's ability to convey multiple atmospheres. Easy example: "The Devil's Postpile". It's nadir conjures images of a smoky nightclub a la film noir, while the climax suggests endless desert sands or crashing waves on lost shores. The Mars Volta has similarly been able to take the listener through several atmospheres and eras in a single song. "Raindrop Matrices", perhaps the album's most intricate, is a song that is as dance worthy as it is lounge worthy. The addition of ambient sounds doesn't add anything to the seamless instrumentation of the artists, but it doesn't detract either, providing commentary on the intrusion of the past to the present.
  
  Then there's "Liquid 7th" and "Undulations", two songs composed so perfectly for their purpose, that the experimental world should collectively hang up their hats and go home. Pushing between an anticipatory and fulfilled melody, the listener becomes caught in the ebb and flow of the music as we watch the world wash away and rebuild itself. And "Root"? Don't get me started on "Root". Have you ever watched something take root and grow? Have you ever listened to it?
  
  The Deluge has a collection of influences, but no predecessors and, as far as I know, no imitators. Tying to find a comparable sound has failed me for 5 years. That is perhaps their defining attribute. That, and the didjeridoo.
  
  Inverted Earth is out NOW. Available on iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon.
  
  by Nyssa Grazda

• College News reviews: The Deluge [+ Show ]
  

  Before I started reviewing music on a regular basis, I admit I was all too enamored of the various l...Before I started reviewing music on a regular basis, I admit I was all too enamored of the various lead singers who fronted the groups to whom I listened. After all, sometimes a strong frontman or woman can make all the difference, especially if the surrounding music is only mediocre.
  
  But not these guys. I’d like to introduce you to a group of artists whose music is the embodiment of their selfless collective and could not be mistaken for anything less than sheer musical talent. Say hello to California-based The Deluge. Based on the foundation of Andrew McKee, Matthew O’Rane and Grant Jordan, these experimental instrumentalists are here to impress.
  
  After the promising success of their 2007 self-titled EP, The Deluge are back for more, having dropped their first full-length album, Inverted Earth, in late March. They describe the effort as “a concept album placing the Biblical flood story in modern times.” I’d describe it as a record to immediately place in your music collection.
  
  The pitch-perfect, precisely played violins on the first track “Variations” will have you hooked from the moment you press play. On “The Devil’s Postpile,” the guitars and bass are fast-paced and mesmerizing, but they also serve as a smooth background. Since there are no lyrics to speak of, it’s easy for the songs to blend into each other, but that’s not a complaint. The album feels like a complete journey,not one that starts and stops in multiple melodic locations.
  
  Vocals are sparingly—but effectively—used on Inverted Earth, often there to supplement the existing instrumentation but never distract you from it. With a variety of instruments including the viola, didjeridoo, trumpet and the clarinet amongst many others, you certainly don’t want to be distracted.
  
  Even if you’re not metaphysical enough to fully grasp the album’s story, there’s no question you will be able to appreciate and enjoy the lush tones and melodies The Deluge puts forth. Though the track count may appear low at a mere eight, every track breaks the five minute mark, making for an instrumental epic that successfully merges countless genres and styles.
  
  You can see The Deluge perform next at The Talking Stick in Venice, CA on June 17th or at the Green Door in Hollywood on the 24th. Keep your eyes on their MySpace page for more upcoming shows as well as to stream tracks from Inverted Earth!
  
  Pick up Inverted Earth via iTunes, Amazon or CD Baby and impress your friends with your classy taste.
  
  Joe Anello
  06/02/10

• "Inverted Earth" album review [+ Show ]
  

  http://chewingbones.blogspot.com/2010/02/inverted-earth-by-deluge.html My friend Grant Jordan (Go...http://chewingbones.blogspot.com/2010/02/inverted-earth-by-deluge.html
  
  My friend Grant Jordan (God for this analogy), drummer of The Deluge, came to me (Noah) and asked me to write a review (build an ark) about his band’s new album. He also asked me to listen to it first. And so I braved the tempest, a deluge is a flood for those without a dictionary, and sat down to listen to The Deluge’s Inverted Earth.
  
  Knowing the band mates as I do, I was given the inside scoop: the (loose) concept of the album is a flood that wipes out our modern world. While you may have heard a thing or two about floods wiping out the earth, you probably haven’t heard many albums like this one.
  
  The album begins energetically. “Variations” sets the atmosphere of the world. The impression is that of a tragically beautiful world haunted by, if nothing else, the sound of Matthew O'Rane’s viola laid over pulsating drums and ethereal vocals. “Inverted Earth” is the calm before the storm, a slowed down melody that marks the end of the line for the world.
  
  Those opening tracks give way to “The Devil’s Postpile“, a change of pace that is the beginning of the end for modernity. “The Devil’s Postpile", if my facts are correct, will be the single. It is an apt single, displaying exactly what The Deluge has to offer: beautiful instrumentation, a hypnotic and soothing sound, and the ability to switch gears seamlessly. The song leads in with viola as the focal point and then a brief interlude of horns followed by vocals, guitar and then back to viola. The song is anchored by the bass and drums, allowing moments for the other instruments to break through.
  
  “For forty days and forty nights….”
  
  The flood continues on "Raindrop Matrices", "Liquid 7th", and "Undulations", my favorite song on the album. O’Rane’s frantic viola eventually bleeds into a smooth transition. "Undulations" makes use of an up tempo drum section that sounds like something from an Aphex Twin song. The viola raises the song to new heights but Jordan’s electronic-influenced drums, and some handy synth work, keep it centered.
  
  The final two tracks, I hypothesized, represent the growth after the storm, once the water recedes. “Root” builds and builds until the clarinet takes firm hold of the composition, nestling it back into a solid melody that is followed by the final track, "Waterfalls."
  
  I found myself searching for similar music, listening to different progressive rock, jazz rock/fusion and electronica before giving up altogether. The closest I came to finding a similar sound was Weather Report, but they were too jazz-like to be in the exact genre of The Deluge. Giving up, I called Mr. Jordan who was as perplexed as I was to find a name for The Deluge’s sound. He did, however, reinforce a few of the similar bands I mentioned.
  
  Classification aside, the album is a wonderful listen. Though I feel it is an album to be sat and listened to, a practice that has become scarce these days, I found myself playing Devil’s Postpile and Undulations over and over again by themselves. Andrew Mckee, Matthew O’Rane and Grant Jordan wrote all the compositions on the album with Mckee and O’Rane playing several instruments throughout. The album will be available on itunes in the very near future, but in the meantime, you can find the band at http://www.myspace.com/thedelugemusic. Be fruitful and multiply!
  

• What an Experience! The Deluge - LIVE - Inverted Earth [+ Show ]
  

  As I was making my way down to the basement towards the University of Redlands' infamous Java the Hu...As I was making my way down to the basement towards the University of Redlands' infamous Java the Hutt on Saturday night, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. All I knew was that simply listening to this music was sensational, and that was more than enough to get me out the door.
  I watched as people of all types came together to fill a space no bigger than a classroom to catch the first glimpse of the group's new
  music. I would soon realize that having the opportunity to watch them portray their music to its full (and obscure) potential was an adventure on its own! Similar to that of the Mad Hatter's tea party, which was depicted in a vibrant mural behind them, "The Deluge"
  displayed a stellar variation of sights and sounds for the release of their new album "Inverted Earth".
  
  The Deluge performs with an erratic style on an instrumental and
  electronic sound. Unusual tools like the didgeridoo and a homemade wind tunnel gave the group's sound an innovative approach on an edgier
  type of "world music" and kept me hooked as I watched live. Inverted Earth was a very moody experience - one second I felt mellow, the next I was completely overturn by a blast of heavy percussion, irregular
  tempo, or the harmony of intertwined voices. As you glance into the audience, you saw some people following sounds from one side of the
  stage to the next, some moving to the beat and others simply closing their eyes and allowing the melody to soak in. No matter what you came
  there for, you were about to take home much more than you anticipated.
  
  Each of them well practiced musicians, with every second of their 10+ minute songs perfectly timed, you couldn't help but be impressed!
  Their individual styles blended impeccably to form one movement unlike any I had seen before. The Deluge brings back the timelessness of classical music, with a refreshing kick of rhythm and an extraordinary
  flair for composition. They brought 11+ instruments to the stage and made everyone believe that none of them should ever be played separately again. Watching them perform Inverted Earth, I new it was something they wanted their audience to indulge themselves in. And, if
  you're like me, you're going to ask for seconds.
  
  Check them out on Facebook :)
  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Deluge/192656976456?ref=ts

• Excerpt from "The Deluge: Live @ The Jazz Bakery [+ Show ]
  

  "...The Deluge have been captivating audiences with their unique blend of jazz, rock, classical and ..."...The Deluge have been captivating audiences with their unique blend of jazz, rock, classical and world music influences. Their innovative compositions can be partially attributed to their instrumentation, often lending itself to highly structured odd-meter grooves, epic thematic material and heated improvisational passages..."

• Excerpts from "A Deluge of Unusual Sounds" [+ Show ]
  

  "The Deluge is a band that floods with progressive musical theory, polyrhythms and melodic and harmo..."The Deluge is a band that floods with progressive musical theory, polyrhythms and melodic and harmonic elements...
  
  ...The name of the band echoes the long form and odd meters of their music, a 'great flood' or 'heavy downpour' of tonal colors and pitch...
  
  ...But it is not the band's wish to make their music inaccessible, but rather to test the limits of musical style and composition..."

• Excerpt from "The Deluge" [+ Show ]
  

  "...The Deluge have referred to their music as 'world rock' or 'progressive instrumental', but can b..."...The Deluge have referred to their music as 'world rock' or 'progressive instrumental', but can be best summed up by the term 'crazy-epic-viola-jazz-rock-that-kind-of-
  reminds-me-of-Beethoven-sometimes'...
  
  ...It holds universal appeal, despite it's very non-universal genre. This seems to be because people understand they are witnessing something special at their shows, whether or not they quite get it...
  
  ...Their unique sound comes from the complex melodic interplay between the guitar and viola, coupled with the intense, driving drums and bass..."

Setlist

Variations
Inverted Earth
The Devil's Postpile
Raindrop Matrices
Liquid Seventh
Undulations
Root
Waterfalls (Ascension)

Encore: The Paradoxical Sphere

This is our new set, comprised of our new album. Every song flows into the next, making it a very dynamic set. We are capable of playing anywhere from a 30 minute to 2 1/2 hour set.

Basic Requirements

Calendar