Seattle Noise

Upcoming Shows October 13 - October 19

Modular Nights

The monthly free showcase of experimental electronic music will feature: Alpha Stream, Glass Places, BLAIX, Puzzle Teeth, Motormouth + Undine Noise, and Odd Partials.

Sunday, October 13, 5:00 PM at Substation - Event Page

Karōshi / Baus / Miscomings

Karōshi (punk) will play along with Baus (egg punk) from Los Angeles, and Miscomings (nasty noise punk).

Sunday, October 13, 7:00 PM at Bad Bar - Event Page

Groundhum Sessions 3: Huggy Pillow / tondiue / IVVY + THC.XLR

Huggy Pillow (electrophonic dreamwave), tondiue (electronic), and a special collaboration between IVVY with THC.XLR (Erik Sanchez and Keegan Wiltshire).

Thursday, October 17, 7:30 PM at Fremont Abbey - Event Page

TV-MA / Andrew Wayne / sonora enjambre / EKG

Coming up from Los Angeles, TV-MA (noise) will play along with Andrew Wayne (noise ambient) from Sacramento, sonora enjambre (ambient drone noise), and EKG (party noise).

Friday, October 18, 6:00 PM at Mudlark Oddities - Event Page

Lukas Dickson / MONED / SPITRAT / Glum Reaper / FAILSON

Lukas Dickson (experimental noise) will play along with MONED (guitar driven noise), SPITRAT (no input sound), Glum Reaper, and FAILSON (electronic)

Saturday, October 19, 7:30 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Tamagawa / Oldine / Skunk Ape / Thatching

Visiting from France, Tamagawa (ambient drone) and Oldine (ambient drone folk), along with Skunk Ape (noise), and Thatching.

Saturday, October 19, 8:00 PM at Drongo Tapes HQ - Event Page


Upcoming Shows October 6 - October 12

BASIC w/ Chris Forsyth, Douglas McCombs, Mikel Patrick Avery, and Dave Abramson + Neil Welch

BASIC, a mind-meld between Chris Forsyth, Doug McCombs, and Mikel Patrick Avery presents This Is BASIC, a complex and entrancing instrumental LP recasting forgotten scraps of guitar history into a moving mosaic of strings, skins and electronics.

Joining them will be Dave Abramson (percussion) and Neil Welch (saxaphone)

Sunday, October 6, 7:30 PM at Sunset Tavern - Event Page

Triangle Fire / Open Veins / Florida Man / Bridge Kids

Stay warm under the bridge with Triangle Fire (punk) from Georgia, Open Veins (crust punk), Florida Man (meme core), and Bridge Kids (punk).

Monday, October 7, 6:30 PM at Under 1st Avenue Bridge - Event Page

Meg Duffy x Greg Uhlmann + Abbey Blackwell

Blurring the limits between speed and slowness, guitarists Meg Duffy and Greg Uhlmann communicate in velocities, underwriting each other’s peaks and flurries as they ache toward a mutual horizon.

Abbey Blackwell will also perform.

Wednesday, October 9, 8:00 PM at Chapel Performance Space - Event Page

The OC34N, w/ Morgan Henderson, Joel Cuplin, and Chris Icasiano + DJ Veins

“Enveloping Instrumental Sounds” with Morgan Henderson, Joel Cuplin, Chris Icasiano (percussion) and a set from DJ Veins.

Wednesday, October 9, 7:00 PM at The Rabbit Box Theatre - Event Page

Tab In/Tab Out / Undine Noise / MRSA / Motormouth

Noise at Lucky Liquor featuring Tab In/Tab Out (harsh noise wall), Undine Noise (noise), Motormouth (noise), and MRSA (noise).

Friday, October 11, 7:00 PM at Lucky Liquor - Event Page

Kathryn Mohr / Power Strip / Rhoda_DenDrones

Closing up their tour will feature Kathryn Mohr (experimental folk), Power Strip (ambient synth pop), and Rhoda_DenDrones (synth drones)

Friday, October 11, 8:00 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Impact! Presents D@TAM0SH!! w/ xxhardbit3s, GABB3RVIOL3NC3, Five Star Death, Kabiyo, 9-5 Hyperfuck, and EXIMIOUS

GET READY TO (D474)M05H ON OCTOBER 14th WITH IMPACT! We’ve a̴͓̓s̸̲̃͛s̴̭̬̓͠e̵̥̾m̵̤͂b̸̢̓l̶̫͕̔ë̶͉́d̵͍̅͝ a t̴̟͌͜é̵̛̘̦ȃ̴̧͇́m̷͉̈́̃ of the !Ę¹*ʤx¨¾âÔ“ÌJD playing today to give you a show that will have you opening up the pit at the r4v3. A stacked lineup of hard breaks, gabber, digital hardcore, [DATA LOST], jumpstyle, terrorcore, and much much more. Our rebels against reality include:

Dip into a more rave style event with xxhardbits3s from Jersey, GABB3RVIOL3NC3 from Miami, Five Star Death also from Miami, Kabiyo, 9-5 Hyperfuck, and EXIMIOUS.

Saturday, October 12, 8:00 PM at Kremwerk - Event Page


Upcoming Shows September 29 - October 5

A little more of an abbreviated schedule this week. Still catching up on everything.

Devin Gray / Kelsey Mines + Laja Olaiya / James Falzone + Greg Campbell + Tom Scully

Visiting from New York City is Devin Gray (avant garde drummer / composter). They will be joined by a duo of Kelsey Mines (bass) and Laja Olaiya, along with a trio of James Falzone (clarinet), Greg Campbell (percussion), and Tom Scully (guitar).

Sunday, September 29, 7:30 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Stacey Levine / Theodor Kentros / A.F. Jones

Stacey Levine will be reading from her most recent novel Mice 1961”. Theodor Kentros (avant garde dungeon synth) from Sweden will perform along with A.F. Jones (experimental).

Thursday, October 3, 7:30 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Master Boot Record

I am a 486DX-33MHz-64MB processing avant-garde chiptune, synthesized heavy metal & classical symphonic music. 100% Synthesized, 100% Dehumanized.

Master Boot Record

Thursday, October 3, 8:00 PM at Substation - Event Page

Diositopes / Lukas Dickson / PIGPEN / ARMLESS

This show is hosted by Seattle Noise Music. Featuring Diositopes (hypnotic noise) from Portland, OR along with Lukas Dickson (noise loops), PIGPEN (sludge punk), and ARMLESS (experimental noise rock)

Saturday, October 5, 7:00 PM at Bad Bar - Event Page


Upcoming Shows September 22 - September 28

Coming to you from half a world away across the international date line in Japan. I will have a special post when I return with an overview of some of the live house music venues I visited.

LottoRPG / Miss Prince / Stetson Heat Seeker / Changing Bodies

Coming up from Los Angeles is LottoRPG (industrial electronic). They will be be joined by Miss Prince (punk), Stetson Heat Seeker (cowboy punk), and Changing Bodies (experimental synth movement).

Sunday, September 22, 8:00 PM at Bad Bar - Event Page

Modbang: NV Electronica / Hecklifter/ Peters Jacket / ea5e95

The monthly free showcase of all hardware electronic music featurings NV Electronica (live cello and electronics), Hecklifter, Peters Jacket, and ea5e95.

Tuesday, September 24, 7:00 PM at The 4Bs - Event Page

Mint Field / MØAA / somesurprises

Before their tour in Europe, somesurprises (dreamy krautrock) will play along with Mint Field (ambient krautrock) from Mexico City. MØAA (goth dream pop) will also play.

Thursday, September 26, 7:00 PM at The Central Saloon - Event Page

Kaley Lane Eaton and the Ineffable String Band / Okapi / Chris Icasiano

Kaley Lane Eaton and the Ineffable String Band, an all-acoustic Greco-Americana psychedelic chamber folk ensemble featuring Tom Baker (guitar, dobro), Sheyenne Leonard (mandolin), Rian Souleles (bouzouki), Mariah Larsen (cello), Jon Butler (bass) and Sam Strawbridge (harmonium)" will play along with Okapi (freak folk) from Asheville, NC and Chris Icasiano (solo percussion).

Thursday, September 26, 7:00 PM at Jules Maes Saloon - Event Page

Matthew Welch / Ornament & Crime / Tarsier Eyes / Broken Crow

Experimental bagpipe by Matthew Welch. They will be joined by Ornament & Crime (noise), Tarsier Eyes (guitar noise), and Broken Crow (experimental.

Saturday, September 28, 7:30 PM at Chapel Performance Space

Cop Funeral / SH!TOMATO / Peopling / EKG

Also in town from Los Angeles is [Cop Funeral(https://copfuneral.bandcamp.com/) (ambient-industrial junk electronic), along with SH!TOMATO (noise), Peopling (party noise), and EKG (party noise).

Friday, September 27, 7:00 PM at Mudlark Oddities - Event Page

NV Electronica / Faux Macro / Hecklifter / Herr Shield / Egress / Synthiak

Another show this week of experimental electronic music featuring NV Electronica, Faux Macro, Hecklifter, Herr Shield, Egress, and Synthiak.

Friday, September 27, 7:00 PM at Woodland Theater - Event Page

Lauren Sarah Hayes / Sebastian Camens / RM Francis

Even more experimental electronic music! Featuring Lauren Sara Hayes, “a mix of experimental pop/live electronics/techno/noise/free improvisation and has been described as ‘voracious’ and ‘exhilarating’.” They will be joined by Sebastian Camens (experimental elecontric) and RM Francis (extreme computer music).

Friday, September 27, 8:00 PM at Chapel Performance Space - Event Page

Unpoetry: Frye w/ Hannah Rice / Alia Swersky / Casey Adams / Changing Bodies / Emily J Mundy / Eric M Acosta

For this iteration of Unpoetry, local artists will create written pieces and performances based on current exhibitions, with the goal to inspire deeper engagement with the museum space and the artwork it holds. - Frye

Featuring Hannah Rice (movement) + Alia Swersky (movement), Casey Adams (percussion), Changin Bodies (experimental synth movement), Emily J Mundy (poetry), and Eric M Acosta (experimental / poetry).

Saturday, September 28, 2:00 PM at Frye Art Museum - Event Page

xShitConsumerx / Zona Zanjeros / rEEk / Tom Scully / Vanille Onyx / Bottle Meat / Halting

If you managed to make to it to the daytime event, continue your evening with xShitConsumerx (special noise collaboration between Takeshita and NUDECONSUMER, Zona Zanjeros (experimental computer music), rEEk (noise), Tom Scully (guitar noise), Vanille Onyx (noise), Bottle Meat (noise), and Halting (experimental).

Saturday, September 28, 7:30 PM at Woodland Theater - Event Page


Upcoming Shows September 15 - September 21

Unpoetry: Eric M. Acosta / Jenny Holman

Part of the ongoing unpoetry series, mixing experimental sounds and poetry will feature Eric M. Acosta

Thursday, September 19, 8:00 PM at Vermillion - Event Page

Marginal Frequency: ILIOS / Itai Anker / Casey Adams

Visiting from Athens, Greece, ILIOS (experimental sound art) will perform, along with Itai Anker of Raash Records, “involving percussion, chance recordings, and RF transmissions, among other manners of moving air. Casey Adams (experimental percussion) will also perform.

Thursday, September 19, 7:30 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Bill Horist / Undular Bore

Album release show of Substratum by Bill Horist (experimental guitar). Troy Swanson will perform as Undular Bore (experimental electronic).

Saturday, September 21, 7:00 PM at The Grocery Studios - Event Page

Mike Meanstreetz + Stevie Richards / Thatching / Cameron MacNair

A duo of Mike Meanstreetz from Los Angeles and Stevie Richards, “rigorous duos of freely improvised music by way of saxophone, drums/percussion and dual electronics rigs”. They will be joined by Thatching, debut performance by members Bowhead, Tarsier Eyes, and My Mistress’s Sparrow: “pulsing guitar drone and harmonica, prepared and unprepared”. Cameron MacNair will also perform.

Saturday, September 21, 7:30 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Carl Annala / A Minority of One / Cathartech / Nicole Walters / Andrew Anderson

An evening of dance and sound featuring Carl Annala, A Minority of One (experimental field recordings), Cathartech (drone noise), Nicole Walters, and Andrew Anderson (experimental drone).

Saturday, September 21, 8:00 PM at Teatro de la Psychomachia - Event Page


Upcoming Shows September 8 - September 14

Modular Nights

The monthly free show of experimental electronic muisc will feature Brad Loving, limanjaya, hecklifter, James Tailor, and SNOWDN.

Sunday, September 8, 5:00 PM at Substation - Event Page

Spencer Sundell / Lori Goldston / Swil Kanim

Presenting experimental film, “inspired by Surrealist film, psychedelic light shows, found footage, fireside storytelling, and songs from the past, present and future.” from Spencer Sundell. Lori Goldston (cello) and Swil Kanim (violin) will provide musical accompaniment.

Tuesday, September 10, 7:00 PM at Common Area - Event Page

So Pitted / Black Shelton and The American Dream / Versing

So Pitted (numetal) will play along with Black Shelton and The American Dream (punk free jazz) from Portland and Versing (noise pop).

Thursday, September 12, 8:30 PM at Clock-Out Lounge - Event Page

Miscomings / Spring Breeding / Debt Rag / Sux

Miscomings (nasty noise punk) will play along with Spring Breeding (no wave dance punk) from Las Vegas, Debt Rag (experimental), and Sux (punk).

Friday, September 13, 7:00 PM at Black Lodge - Event Page

Bhanjan Bhoy / Tarsier Levitation / sonora enjambre / Zona Zanjeros

“Deep meditative music filled with kosmische guitar psych magick” from Bhanjan Bhoy. They will be joined by Tarsier Levitation (Tarsier Eyes + Adam Levitt), sonora enjambre (ambient drone noise) and Zona Zanjeros (experimental computer music).

Friday, September 13, 8:00 PM at Casa Del Xolo - Event Page

How to Destroy the Universe 9

Featuring: IX, Verota (hideous sludge), Thee Effluvium (experimental noise), Rending Sinew (experimental), TERROR WRISTS (experimental), Death Mask (experimental synth), Droneroom (experimental ambient drone), Sacred Signs (experimental drone), Principal Pleasure, and Power Skeleton (experimental rock band).

Friday, September 13 and Sunday, September 15, 5:00 PM at The Rendezvous - Event Page

Mt Fog / somesurprises / Tiny Vipers

Release show for Mt Fog (art pop folktronica). They will be joined by somesurprises (dreamy krautrock) and Tiny Vipers (ambient minimal folk).

Saturday, September 14, 8:00 PM at Tractor Tavern - Event Page


Upcoming Shows September 1 - September 7

Things are quieting down as summer winds down.

Erin Jorgensen Fest

Three day event. Performing artists by day include: Saturday, Raven String Quartet, Adam Sherry. Sunday, Leanna Keith with Steve Fisk, Nordra. Monday, Christopher Icasiano, Gretchen Yanover, Raven String Quarlet, and Benjamin Marx & Erin Jorgensen.

Saturday, August 31 - Monday September 2, 12:00 PM at 18th and Union - Event Page

Ro(b)//ert Lundberg + Jack Gold-Molina / Heather Bentley / Neil Welch

Visiting from Chicago, Ro(b)//ert Lundberg (bass) “makes sound and image, thinks about and drinks water.” He will play a solo set while Jack Gold-Molina (percussion), Heather Bentley (viola) and Neil Welch (saxaphone) will perform together.

Sunday, September 1, 7:30 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Wolf Eyes / Trigger Object / STUMPGRINDER

Returning to Seattle again (last show was August 10, 2023 at the Vera Project) will be Wolf Eyes (experimental electronic). Local weirdo Trigger Object (experimental electronic) from Portland and local noise weirdo troupe STUMPGRINDER.

Tuesday, September 3, 8:00 PM at Clock-Out Lounge - Event Page

Changing Bodies / Afterlife Giftshop

Afterlife Giftshop (experimental art pop will joing Changing Bodies (experimental synth movement).

Thursday, September 5, 8:00 PM at Rabbit Box Theatre - Event Page

Twig Harper / V.Vecker x Tarsier Eyes / EKG

Coming from Los Angeles, Twig Harper (avant garde musique concrete) will play. Guitar driven noise Tarsier Eyes will collaborate with V.Vecker (minimal composition spiritual jazz) from Vancouver, BC. EKG (experimental party noise) is returning from tour.

Thursday, September 5, 8:00 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

◍ Ecstatic Cosmic Union ◍ Style King of the Week ◍ Forrest Friends ◍ Where the Light Goes ◍

Third show this week at Gallery 1412 featuring Ecstatic Cosmic Union (experimental cosmic drone), Style King of the Week (electronic post-rock), Forrest Friends (freak folk) and Where the Light Goes (experimental).

Saturday, September 7, 8:00 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page


Upcoming Shows August 25 - August 31

Wally Shoup Life Celebration Session Night 3

Open improv jam session in honor of Wally Shoup. Also check out the article by Dave Segal profiling his many contributions to music culture in Seattle.

Sunday, August 25, 6:00 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

Modbang: Production Unit Xero / DJ Weak Acid / Glass Places / Brother vs Robot

The monthly installment of all hardware synth music will feature Production Unit Xero from Portland, DJ Weak Acid, Glass Places, and Brother vs Robot.

Tuesday, August 27, 7:00 PM at The 4Bs - Event Page

Trinkle Tinkle / Parabola / Noel Kennon / Lukas Dickson

Visting from San Francisco is Trinkle Tinkle. Joining them will be Parabola (Adam Levitt + Kole Galbraith) (noise), Noel Kennon (noise), and Lukas Dickson (noise loops).

Thursday, August 29, 6:00 PM at Mudlark Oddities - Event Page

unpoetry

Featuring: Colette Cosner, Joel Myers, Tyler Dupuis, Mike Simmons, Vinnie Sarocco, Hanna Broback, and Glad We’re Together.

Thursday, August 29, 8:00 PM at Casa Del Xolo - Event Page

MSHR / Pirámides / RM Francis / Beachcomber Hotel and Spa

Experimental electronic sounds from MSHR, along with Pirámides (experimental pop), RM Francis (extreme computer music), and Beachcomber Hotel and Spa (experimental).

Friday, August 30, 8:00 PM at Gallery 1412 - Event Page

SAD BOIX / DNcrystal / Herr Shield / EZBOT

Electronic music presented by FRUITING BODY. Featuring SAD BOIX, DNcrystal, Herr Shield, and EZBOT.

Friday, August 30, 7:00 PM at Bad Bar - Event Page

Feed Fatigue / WXTCH / Casey Adams / Lola Mahaney

Harsh noise from Portland, Feed Fatigue will play along with WXTCH, Casey Adams (solo noise), and Lola Mahaney.

Saturday, August 31, 7:30 PM at Mudlark Oddities - Event Page

SPLASTEEN x SPITRAT / Haunted by Lights / Planar Drift / MouseMan

House show. Collaboration between SPLASTEEN and SPITRAT. They will be joined by Haunted by Lights, Planar Drift (acid techno), and MouseMan (computer music).

Saturday, August 31, 7:30 PM at Casa Dentata - Event Page


Upcoming Shows August 18 - August 24

Skunk Ape / Daniel Sienna / Benjemaa

Skunk Ape (noise) will play along with Daniel Sienna (experimental ambient electronic noise pop), and Benjemaa (experimental ambient).

Sunday, August 18, 8:00 PM at Bad Bar - Event Page

HIDE / Mirrored Fatality / DJ Torturythm / RN White / DJ Swishblade

HIDE (industrial noise punk) on tour from Chicago, along with Mirrored Fatality (avant-garde industrial noise), RN White (experimental), along with DJ sets by DJ Torturythm and DJ Swishblade.

Thursday, August 22, 7:00 PM at Black Lodge - Event Page

Rose Martin / Sophie Chin / Aaron Michael Butler / Peter Tracy

“Another concert of unacademic and uncompromising contemporary compositions.” Featuring Rose Martin, Sophie Chin, Aaron Michael Butler, and Peter Tracy.

Thursday, August 22, 7:30 PM at Vermillion - Event Page

Ceremonial Abyss / Hen House / Cube / MYAKU

Visiting from Portland is Ceremonial Abyss (ambient). They will be joined by Hen House (no rave industrial) from Oakland, Cube (rhythmic industrial noise) from New York City, and MYAKU (afroindustrial).

Thursday, August 22, 8:00 PM at Teatro de la Psychomachia - Event Page

Wally Shoup Life Celebration Night 1

Influential saxophonist, bandleader, painter, and writer Wally Shoup was a leading advocate of free improvisation in both life and music and a mentor by example to scores of musicians spanning generations in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Over a long and productive career distinguished by grassroots organizing and collaborations with an international cast of notables, the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame honoree left a rich legacy of passionate in-the-moment playing, wry humor, and acute observations on music and the human condition.

Participants include: Dave Abramson, Casey Adams, Eric Amrine, Gust Burns, Arrington de Dionyso, Amy Denio, Jack Gold-Molina, Geoff Harper, Simon Henneman, Bill Horist, Gregg Keplinger, Mark Ostrowski, Dennis Rea, Bob Rees, Carmen Rothwell, Charley Rowan, Tom Scully, John Seman, Jefferey Taylor, Neil Welch, and Jacob Zimmerman.

Friday, August 23, 6:30 PM at The Royal Room - Event Page

WAV.fest

A night of chiptune hardware and dance music presented by Pacific Noise Works featuring Danamal Cannon, Trash80, Azuria Sky, exciting!!excellent!!, Balkan Bleeps , and EZBOT.

Friday, August 23, 7:00 PM at Substation - Event Page

Wally Shoup Life Celebration Night 2

Second night to honor Wally Shoup, this one is in West Seattle.

Participants of various groupings include Bill Horist, Dennis Rea, Dave Abramson, Casey Adams, Abbey Blackwell, Gust Burns, Greg Campbell, Arrington de Dionyso, Jack Gold-Molina, Simon Henneman,, Hannah Rice, Charley Rowan, Olli Klomp, Doug Theriault, David Chandler, Neil Welch, Jeff Greinke, Margareta Waterman, Noel Kennon, + others.

Saturday, August 24, 6:30 PM at Kenyon Hall - Event Page

Panic Boner / Sadie Siskin / Brent Vallefuoco / Entwined

On tour from Missoula, Panic Boner (experimental) will play along with Sadie Siskin (experimental), Brent Vallefuoco (experimental noise rock) and Entwined (experimental), both from California.

Saturday, August 24, 8:00 PM at Drongo Tapes HQ - Event Page


Performing by train with Ceremonial Abyss

image of experimental musician Ceremonial Abyss

Traveling by train has many benefits over driving to play at a venue in what can otherwise be a long distant journey filled with stress of driving. Taking a bicycle further adds to the sense of adventure and offers the means to understand the structure of the city on a smaller, more human scale than from the isolation of a car.

I’ll be interviewing Ceremonial Abyss (Bryan) on their experience taking the train long distances in relation to touring.

Seattle Noise: Can you give us a bit of introduction to your music and your background?

Ceremonial Abyss: The project started around 2014, with the first self-titled release appearing in 2015 on the cult Olympia tape label Cuss Fetish. I did some short touring for that tape in the Northeast, as always by train and bus. Around this time the tours were like, 2-3 weeks max, as I was in graduate school, getting out of town on weekends and holidays, summers, etc. I was very into this dark psychedelic hard acid. Somatic Responses, Beverly Hills 808303, all the I-F shit. A lot of West Coast influence via SPAZ and Katabatik Soundsystems. That sound morphed and changed drastically the more music I listened to. I started favoring a lot more krautrock, free jazz, and classical music. Tapes started becoming conceptualized and it was like I finally started allowing disciplines to merge; sound, text, design all merged and aligned with life and cultural interests.

Before CA, I was part of this psychedelic/industrial/A/V group called Thee Source ov Fawnation with Ashley Paer Svn. We were undergraduate students, making records on the Buchla synth at Evergreen and touring the northeast and west coast rave circuit via ridesharing, hitchhiking, buses and trains. We didn’t take it very far as we could have, but this is where I started developing certain aspects of the touring method I still use today; prioritizing public transportation and ridesharing. At this point, I have covered most of the country. I have no interest in touring by car.

Seattle Noise: That’s sort of mind boggling. When you decided to make trains and public transportation your default touring mode, did anything change with the type of gear you were bringing to make your sounds?

Yes absolutely. At first it was all hardware, so much bullshit. Now it’s a much smaller system with a few small tape decks. The idea is to travel with as little as possible—getting the most sound out of the smallest amount of equipment, if you can. One backpack, one small case. This is ideal not only for traveling, but for sharing tables and working with other artists at shows as well. Also, it’s important to have gear that you can run with incase you’re in a gnarly situation—and don’t play yourself—it’s important to bring gear that is inexpensive/replaceable in case it gets jacked. Most important thing I learned is to carry backups for whatever weird power adapters you’re using, because the Fuzz Jawn on Main St. is not gonna be packing a 15V 1.5A wall wart intended for your weird shit! Big shoutout to Drow for fixing one of my adaptors in Albany, NY, day before a show, a few tours back!

Seattle Noise: Are there any Amtrak routes or sections you find memorable or scenic?

Ceremonial Abyss: The Amtrak Cascades line, running from Vancouver, BC to Eugene. I have rode this line so many times. It never gets old. I have laughed, cried, celebrated, slept, worked, wrote, listened, contemplated, meditated my way through the stained windows for over a hundred thousand hours it seems. It does feel like home in a way.

Seattle Noise: I agree there is something special about Amtrak Cascades in the way it connects together the region. The pandemic and also the loss of a number of rail cars with the 2017 derailment on the Point Defiance Bypass put a damper on the reliability and service recovery. Sometime in 2026 Amtrak will receive new Siemens trainsets, laying the way for service to expand with additional trips along the corridor.

Last time you visited Seattle you also brought your bicycle. Was this a more recent idea?

Ceremonial Abyss: The bicycle-touring idea has been on my mind for a few years now. I’m really big into cycling and try my best to utilize that method of transport for most of the local shows I play. It’s easy to throw gear in a pannier set and throw my bike on the train, or bike to the show. It provides me with a lot more options too, when I finally land in the city. If timed correctly, post-rainfall and pre-wildfire season, a cycling-based PNW/West Coast would be incredibly cool. Maybe next summer.

Seattle Noise: Yes planning around the weather can be tricky. Other than your upcoming show later this month do you have any future plans people should look forward to?

I’ll be hitting the road in a few months, covering the west coast and southwest, and up to Colorado, by bus and train in October. Haven’t been there in a while and I’m pretty psyched. I’ve been working with this Tony Conrad tape that Joe Mygan threw me in Northampton at the end of the last tour. It’s very strange the way things find you on tour and almost take the lead in directing the path. It feels very liberating to let things go and let it fall the way it needs to.

Listen to their music on Bandcamp and Abysmal Goods. Catch their performance along with Hen House, Cube, and Myaku on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at Teatro de la Psychomachia in Seattle. No sports games are planned.

flyer for Ceremonial Abyss, Hen House, Cube, and Myaku on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at Teatro de la Psychomachia in Seattle