On his new album Sun Glories, Oakland-based musician, composer, and producer Chuck Johnson explores themes of time, memory, and illusion through his unique blend of pedal steel, synths, organs, strings, and drums. Opening track “Teleos” explores the linear and cyclical qualities of time itself through episodic sections and motifs, which evoke the bittersweet relief and nostalgia that flood the senses with the arrival of the first warm and sunny day after a long, dark, and rainy stretch of winter. According to Johnson, the piece “took a surprising turn when I started adding guitar textures that recall the music I played and listened to when I was much younger.” Evocative fields of guitars and pedal steel conspire to spark an intoxicating palimpsest of memories, before being ushered forward by an improvisatory and propulsive drum performance from Ryan Jewell.
The Caverns are a pedal steel, bass, and drums trio. Travis Bruner, on pedal steel, weaves sparse vocals in with the steel over an intricate and melodic rhythm section built by Brian Gregory on bass and Matt Tress on drums. Improvisation is the guiding force, and the feel moves from meditative to deep grooves, constantly transforming like clouds moving across the Arizona sky. The lyrics, inspired by everything from the band members’ shared mission of fatherhood to the political upheaval of our times, are concise and pointed. As a recent music critic said on instagram, The Caverns make some “campfire under the moon coyote howlin’ old western psychedelic ambient stuff.”
Save 10% with membership! Use unique member number at checkout. Household members receive two tickets at a discount and individual members receive one. To learn more about membership and how to find your discount code, visit: https://www.coconinoarts.org/member-discount
Thank you to Americana Motor Hotel, our lodging partner for visiting artists and performers.
