Sophe Lux

Artist Information

Biography

These guys totally get it. And by "it" I mean the concept of modern music as serious art that still manages to entertain; something Freddie Mercury and Bryan Ferry and Peter Gabriel got a long time ago. This is about ten minutes of outstanding theatrical rock that lasts considerably longer, mostly because the two tracks on this EP will replay several times before you become a little concerned about attracting flies to your gaping mouth and pop the thing out of your CD player. It's been a long time since I've heard such enthusiastically faithful attention paid to the critical factors that make serious theatrical rock work really well; with the Hungry Ghost EP we get to witness what could become the birth of a new art rock classic." -Music Geek

"Pardon me if this review is scatter-brained, because my mind has officially been blown. Portland's Sophe Lux is without question the most distinct band I've covered since handling album reviews for College News. And yet, pondering a way to describe their act took no time at all. Let's start with a female lead singer. Give her the attitude and wardrobe of Freddie Mercury, the voice of Kate Bush, and the depth of Tori Amos. As generous a description as that is, it perfectly depicts Sophe Lux's Gwynne Haynes. Now imagine Queen with five members, three of which are female, including the aforementioned Haynes. Add more synthesizers while keeping Queen's rock opera storytelling approach and you have the recipe for Sophe Lux. -College News Magazine

"The band's tumbling melodies, trippy lyrics, eclectic instrumental arrangements, and all-out pageantry have dazzled. Sophe Lux blends elements of the Dresden Dolls, Queen, a French opera, Ella Fitzgerald, and, yes, Dante to achieve some awesomely bizarre, dark and sweet soundscapes."
-SPIN


"Sophe Lux sounds like Kate Bush fronting Queen."-WNYC Sound Check (NYC NPR)

"I've been listening to Sophe Lux's CD Waking the Mystics nonstop for a week or so, and just loving it. The Portland, OR eclectic glam band is fronted by Gwynneth Haynes, who sounds a little like PJ Harvey by way of Freddy Mercury. The songwriting is often hilarious, sometimes profound, and the songs veer from faux-psychedelic 1960s clavier rock ("God Doesn't Take American Express") to luscious sci-fi rock opera ("Marie Antoinette Robot 2073") to bouncy numbers like "Little Soldiers of Time." It's singable, it's danceable and the concert DVD I've been perusing suggests that this is the kind of thing you want to see live."
-Cory Doctorow, BOING BOING

Sophe Lux is an art-rock ensemble from Portland, Oregon. In the tradition of bands like Of Montreal, early Roxy Music, and Arcade Fire, Sophe Lux performances are spectacles with shiny costumes and playful theatricals. Often described as a female Freddie Mercury, lead singer and songwriter Gwynneth Haynes is known for her a ability to hold audiences captive. �The Portland band�s live performance is brilliantly theatrical, and the wailing falsetto of Gwynneth Haynes transforms each show into a bona fide rock opera� (Willamette Week).
Sophe Lux was created in 2002 as the brainchild of singer-songwriter, actress, visual and performance artist, Gwynneth Haynes. Exploring painting, acting, performance art, writing, and poetry; Haynes first job was acting in TV commercials at the age of 6. Throughout her youth she appeared in homemade theatricals and movies directed by her big brother, filmmaker Todd Haynes (I�m Not There, Velvet Goldmine, Far From Heaven). At age 14 Haynes became captivated by the art of the Dada and Surrealists schools and the music of Billy Holiday, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, David Bowie, and The Beatles. Teaching herself how to play guitar she started writing songs. Haynes made her adolescent income collecting change form passers by while performing her songs on the streets of Venice Beach.

In 2004 Sophe Lux became a true band with various formations until the current line up locked into place in 2008 with: Briana Ratterman, (keys, accordion, vocals) a classically trained musician and noted actress, performance, conceptual, and visual artist. Like Eno in early Roxy music she wears many hats in the band managing synth, glockenspiel, accordion and piano duties with her effortless magic. The beautiful Erika Miller (Bass, vocals) is a stunning and mysterious red head. She has the royal air of someone who was born in the Golden Age. Twayn Willimas (guitar, vocals) high Priest of all fretted instruments. Williams packs in eloquent Eno and Frippian esque ambient e-bow loops and artful guitar riffs. Kent Sisson (drums) lays down some of the prettiest ass-giggling grooves around. His powerful and competent drum work passionately anchors and drives the Sophe Lux sound forward with an unforgiving vengeance. Sisson has a penchant for stand up comedy and loves making people of all ages laugh as well as dance.

The band�s releases its gospel art rock opera EP Hungry Ghost this summer July 2009 . Hungry Ghost was produced by Sophe Lux and Sean Flora (The Shins, Franz Ferdinand), and mixed by Jeff Saltzman (Death Cab For Cutie). Hungry Ghost explores the fall of America as she staggers towards the crumbling ruins of the Bush administration. The song begins with a riotous primal rhythm pattern based on Stravinsky�s Rite of Spring: An allusion to America�s bad karmic legacy. The first euphoric verse opens with a high energy pumping synths and a wailing 80�s Kate Bush 80�s soprano. Social political commentary in music has rarely been this much fun. �Punchy 70�s arena glam that�s dripping with the sugar of the Sweet and a touch of Heart. The grandiose keyboards in the mix pump up the drama even more in an over the top Styx kind of way that rides the line between the awesome and the ridiculous.� -The Big Take Over


Sophe Lux�s 2002 brainy, riot-girl positive pop debut release, Plastic Apple was Produced by Haynes & Larry Crane (Elliot Smith, Steve Malkmus & The Jicks, Sleater-Kinney, Cat Power, Quasi). Musicians from the Portland scene collaborated on the project, including John Mowen (The Decemberists) on drums, and Mike Clark (Steve Malkmus & The Jicks) on keys. The album received positive critical acclaim identifying Haynes� as the �smart girl�s singer-songwriter�, and �one the world�s finest indie legends.�-Sizzling CD�s The Oregonian says of �Plastic Apple�:
�Intelligent rock stars are a rarity these days which is why Sophe Lux should be soaked up like the sun. A delicious cocktail of Liz Phair, PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, and Cat Power.�

The Sophe Lux 2007 operatic pop sophomore release Waking The Mystics was produced by Haynes, recorded by Adam Seltzer (The Decemberists, M. Ward) and mixed by Brian Vibberts (David Byrne, Green Day). Darkly angelic, Waking The Mystics, is effervescent with witty humor, imaginative journeys, and Brechtian dramatics. Haynes� vocals on the album demonstrate a startling range of dynamic, creative expression and skill. Waking The Mystics evokes nostalgia for David Bowie, Neutral Milk Hotel, Kate Bush, and Queen while exploring themes of consumerism and hypnosis, and robots having existential crises. The instrumental landscapes transverse everything from Bowie to Bach. The lyrics explore the ancient alchemists, the surrealists, the philosophy of Nietzsche, and the poetry of William Blake. Waking The Mystics won the band National critical acclaim and a loyal cult following. The album appeared on many DJ�s �best album of the year� lists and became a National college favorite: �Waking The Mystics� is poised to become a cult classic.� �Indiana Daily Student News The album�s award-winning German-expressionist video for the track "Target Market" was screened at MIDEM in Cannes, France.
Sophe Lux has performed at venues and colleges across the country including Joe�s Pub in New York City, Carnegie Melon University, and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Sophe Lux has played live on WNYC�s �Sound Check� and has been played on KCRW as well as hundreds of domestic radio stations across the globe. The band appears with The Decemberists on Dave Allen's (Gang of Four) �Best of Portland Compilation� Sophe Lux has performed with The Gossip, John Trudell, The Thermals, Anna Oxygen, Mt Saint Helen�s Vietnam Band, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Classical Revolution, The Portland Cello Project, and Kristen Hersh.



"There must be something in the water in Portland, Ore., that turns perfectly normal musicians and bands into fancy-dressed, concept-loving, rock-opera terrorists. That would explain why the smallish city that produced the Decemberists has now also birthed Sophe Lux. This Weimar-infused, accordion-loving experimental (rock opera)cabaret is led by the blond and beautiful Gwynneth Haynes, whose octave-jumping soprano could easily turn from indie-rock to Brecht-Weill torch songs. A multi-talented band slips unexpected elements like glockenspiel, viola, sax and gong into the piano-heavy mix, embellishing their strange songs about a Marie Antoinette robot and the perils of consumerism.�- PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

Fandango guitars, marital snare drums, hurdy-gurdy carnival rhythms and operatic choruses converge in mysterious melodies swirling around thoughtful lyrics. It's a kaleidoscopic ride through sonic landscapes seldom explored in recent years." -Shepperd Express

Instrumentation

Gwynneth Haynes: Lead vocals, piano, guitar
Erika Miller: Bass, vocals
Kent Sisson: Drums
Twayn Williams: Guitars, effects
Briana Ratterman: keys, synth, accordion, vocals

Discography

Plastic Apple - 2002
Recorded by Larry Crane (Death Cab for Cutie, Quasi, Elliot Smith) and featuring John Mowen on drums (The Decemberists) and Mike Clarke on pianos (Steve Malkmus & The Jicks).
"Intelligent rock stars are a rarity these days which is why Sophe Lux should be soaked up like the sun." -The Oregonian
Plastic Apple track
"Perfect Love" appears on compilation "17 Ways to Beat The Rain" Songs chosen by Dave Allen (Gang of Four) to showcase best bands in Portland 2004. Compilation includes The Decemberists and Viva Voce.

"Little Odessa" and Peur Eternus" appear on Station to Station Compilation showcasing the best live recordings from KBOO radio 2004.

Waking the Mystics - 2007

" 'Waking The Mystics' is the kind of effort you wish more bands were darling and adventurous enough to attempt." Nuvo.net

Official Website

http://www.myspace.com/sophelux

Audio

• Target Market
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• Hungry Ghost
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• Sophia Song
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• God Doesn't Take American Express
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• Marie Antoinette Robot 20073
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• Stella
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• Little Soldier of Time
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• Electra 33
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• Girl of Your Tomorrow
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• Time of Light
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• String Theory
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• President
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• Fill Me Up with Grace
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Lyrics

• Target Market
• God Doesn't Take American Express
• Little Soldier of Time
• Lonely Girl
• Time of Light
• Electra 33
• Fill Me Up with Grace

Video

Target Market Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Awesomely bizarre, dark and sweet soundscapes... [+ Show ]
  

  "The band's tumbling melodies, trippy lyrics, eclectic instrumental arrangements, and all-out pagea..."The band's tumbling melodies, trippy lyrics, eclectic instrumental
  arrangements, and all-out pageantry have dazzled. Waking the Mystics, Sophe Lux's second full-length, was mixed by Adam Selzer (the Decemberists, M. Ward) and drops via Zarathustra Records. Sophe Lux blend elements of the Dresden Dolls, Queen, a French opera, Ella Fitzgerald, and, yes, Dante to achieve some awesomely bizarre, dark and sweet soundscapes. The collective employs tinkling bells, harpsichords, and carnivalesque accordions as Haynes theatrically croons lyrics inspired by the works of Nietzsche and William Blake. "Fill Me Up with Grace" and "Time of Light" take the jazzy center stage of Waking the Mystics, while "Target Market" and " Marie Antoinette Robot 2073 (A Rock Opera)" hold down the dreamlike sideshow tent."
  

• Sophe Lux on Boing Boing [+ Show ]
  

  November 24, 2006 Sophe Lux: PJ Harvey meets Freddy Mercury I've been listening to Sophe Lux...November 24, 2006
  
  Sophe Lux: PJ Harvey meets Freddy Mercury
  
  I've been listening to Sophe Lux's CD Waking the Mystics nonstop for a week or so, and just loving it. The Portland, OR eclectic glam band is fronted by Wendy Haynes, who sounds a little like PJ Harvey by way of Freddy Mercury. The songwriting is often hilarious, sometimes profound, and the songs veer from faux-psychedelic 1960s clavier rock ("God Doesn't Take American Express") to luscious sci-fi rock opera ("Marie Antoinette Robot 2073") to bouncy numbers like "Little Soldiers of Time." It's singable, it's danceable and the concert DVD I've been perusing suggests that this is the kind of thing you want to see live, too.

• Ear Candy [+ Show ]
  

  "Pardon me if this review is scatter-brained because my my mind has officially been blown. Portland'..."Pardon me if this review is scatter-brained because my my mind has officially been blown. Portland's Sophe Lux is without a doubt the most distinct band I've covered."

• CD Review Hungry Ghost [+ Show ]
  

  "Never let it be said that Sophe Lux aims low: Dramatic and retro, and full of synths and a sort of ..."Never let it be said that Sophe Lux aims low: Dramatic and retro, and full of synths and a sort of throwback arena rock momentousness, Sophe Lux covers more ground than most bands ever set foot on."

• Sophe Lux Hungry Ghost Review [+ Show ]
  

  "These guys totally get it. And by "it" I mean the concept of modern music as serious art that still..."These guys totally get it. And by "it" I mean the concept of modern music as serious art that still manages to entertain: something Freddie Mercury and Bryan Ferry and Peter Gabriel got a long time ago. This is about ten minutes of outstanding theatrical rock that lasts considerably longer, mostly because the tracks on this EP will replay several times before you become a little concerned about attracting flies to your gaping mouth."

• The art-rock I grew up with back with a vengance... [+ Show ]
  

  “Seriously well crafted pop songs, dark, provocative lyrics,sung by a killer voice and gloriously ca...“Seriously well crafted pop songs, dark, provocative lyrics,sung by a killer voice and gloriously catchy pop hooks. This is the art-rock I grew up with back with a vengance.” - Duggup – December 12, 2006

• Operatic, ambitious and more... [+ Show ]
  

  “Operatic, ambitious and more than a little glam, the members of Sophe Lux craft sophisticated, thea...“Operatic, ambitious and more than a little glam, the members of Sophe Lux craft sophisticated, theatrical pop. While the band clearly channels influences like Kate Bush and David Bowie, it continues to push artistic boundaries, both sonically and visually.
  
  Unafraid of outrageous costumes and mini-operettas, Sophe Lux is the rarest of musical birds – which is to say it’s unique and unforgettable, particularly in a city that tends to favor knit caps and a lo-fi aesthetic over frills and trills.” - Portland Tribune - January 4, 2007

• Review Waking The Mystics
  

  "Waking The Mystics is poised to become a cult classic."

• Waltz beats, organ riffs and angelic sounding choruses... [+ Show ]
  

  "This band has been dazzling the music scene with waltz beats, organ riffs, and angelic sounding c..."This band has been dazzling the music scene with waltz beats, organ riffs, and
  angelic sounding choruses about things like robots and hypnosis. With addictive
  pop hooks and talent galore their new album "Waking The Mystics" is one you'll
  want to play over and over again." - Portland Mercury

• Rock Opera Goddess [+ Show ]
  

  "There must be something in the water out in Portland, OR that turns perfectly normal musicians into..."There must be something in the water out in Portland, OR that turns perfectly normal musicians into fancy-dressed, concept loving, rock-opera terrorists. That would explain how the city that produced the Decemberists has now birthed Sophe Lux. Weimar-infused, accordion loving experimental cabaret is lead by the blond and beautiful Gwynneth Haynes whose octave-jumping soprano could easily turn from indie rock to Brecht-Weill torch songs."

Setlist

Hungry Ghost
Target Market
God Doesn't Take American Express
Little Soldier of Time
Lonely Girl
Time of Light
Marie Antoinette
Electra 33
Stella
Arcadia
Sophia's Song
Oceans of Grace

Basic Requirements

Calendar