Oren Lyons

Oren Lyons is an emerging Los Angeles-based nine-piece group formed in early 2011 by multi-instrumentalist composer Gueorgui Linev. The homespun D.I.Y effort soon took on a new life with the addition of guitarist/collaborator Peter Potyondy and pianist Morgan Miracle. The project began as an effort to fuse classical minimalism and experimental rock within a more accessible sonic environment. Some influence is drawn from bands such as Wilco and Pink Floyd, as well as a genuine interest in the sonic density of minimalist composers such as Phillip Glass and Steve Reich. The subsequent addition of four new members and a two-piece string section not only facilitated this experiment, but also injected a whole new palette of colors and textures to draw upon. Co-vocalists Kristianne Bautista and Noah Lowman weave bittersweet melodies through an intricate forest of instrumental orchestration, at times demanding the listeners' rapt attention and at times subtly evading it, allowing the string arrangements of Dannon Rampton and Kaitlin Wolfberg to take center stage, while drummer Randy Wagner and bassist Ian Anderson firmly navigate the fourth dimension. The group frequently incorporates four-part harmonies throughout their set, which adds a different dynamic to the already heavily textured sound.  The result is a cinematic and oddly danceable bricolage of experimental folk, textural post-rock, ambient psychedelia, and late 20th century minimalism.