MP3: Seryn – “We Will All Be Changed”
Seryn are a rare kind of band: Their brand of indie folk is immediately accessible, yet it still grows on you with repeated listens.
Layers of beautiful instrumentation make This Is Where We Are a rich debut from these Texans, but the sublime fusion of guitar, ukulele, accordion, bass, viola and banjo only tells half of the story. The group’s true appeal lies in its chilling harmonies, with each member playing an equally important role.
The Denton Record-Chronicle called one of Seryn’s recent live performances “so dynamic that you could feel the key changes in your feet, through the … concrete floor!” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram described the same performance as so impeccable that it must have been an auditory magic trick, or “sleight of ear.”
You’ll be able to hear for yourself on June 9, when Seryn come to San Diego’s Tin Can Ale House. In anticipation of the show, check out their Poetic Memory list of influences, which you can find below.
Poetic Memory: Seryn
1. Max Klinger: 19th century German Artist. Really amazing stuff, and he was kind of a prodigy as well. Pre-dated Freud with his series on fetishism, most notably The Glove. – Nathan Allen (guitar, guitar, geeeter, banjo, and guitar. And some mouth sounds.)
2. Free Willy: The ultimate human triumph film about an animal. Bonus: MJ is on the soundtrack. – Aaron Stoner (bass, trumpet, cello and bear roars)
3. Spoonerisms: Wipping Flords around is the coolest ing thever. – Nathan
4. Cerulean: Not a real color, it’s a pigment. Everyone in the band’s favorite crayon, and such a cool word. – Trenton Wheeler (ukulele, banjo, accordion, sings the sung songs)
5. Ties: They really help to pull an outfit together. What was once mere clothes is now an ensemble. – Chris Semmelbeck (drums, banjo, pump organ, guitar, accordion, bells, earthquake stomps)
6. E. E. Cummings: His poetry is like a painting or a song on paper. It unravels me. – Chelsea Bohrer (violin, percussion, and bird chirps)
7. Polyrhythm and polymeter: This is playing a waltz and a shuffle at the same time. It does something extraordinary in the brain, and creates a texture unlike any other. We use this technique in most of our songs, and it’s inspired by Steve Reich and African music. – Everyone.
8. “Super Smash Bros.” N64: The ultimate game, we hook it up in the car on tour. Keeps the dudes sane, and drives Chelsea insane. Its also how we invent new expletives. – Aaron
9. Handmade Clothes: Making clothes is kind of a dying craft. There is something undeniable about wearing something you created. – Chelsea
10. Planet Earth: Actually all nature documentaries. David Attenborough is a personal favorite, and anything about big cats. – Chris