Sophe Lux & The Mystic is an American

art rock Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that generally reflects a challenging or avant-garde approach to rock, or which makes use of modernist, experimental, or unconventional elements. Art rock aspires to elevate rock from entertainment to an ar ...

band notable for its theatrical performances and its blending of

electronica Electronica is both a broad group of electronic-based music styles intended for listening rather than strictly for dancing and a music scene that came to prominence in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the term is mos ...

with

operatic Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

and chamber pop elements. The band has released four albums: '' All Are One'' (2016), '' Hungry Ghost'' (2009), '' Waking the Mystics'' (2007), and '' Plastic Apple'' (2002).

History

Sophe Lux was formed in 2002 in

Portland, Oregon Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...

. It began as a vehicle for singer-songwriter Gwynneth Haynes, the younger sister of film director

Todd Haynes Todd Haynes (; born January 2, 1961) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. His films span four decades with themes examining the personalities of well-known musicians, dysfunctional and dystopian societies, and blurred gender ...

('' Velvet Goldmine'', ''

I'm Not There ''I'm Not There'' is a 2007 musical drama film directed by Todd Haynes, who co-wrote the screenplay with Oren Moverman, based on a story by Haynes. An experimental biographical film, it is inspired by the life and music of American singer-so ...

'', ''

Far From Heaven ''Far from Heaven'' is a 2002 historical romantic drama film written and directed by Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert and Patricia Clarkson. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where Moore won the ...

''). The

band began incorporating elements of indie,

baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...

, and chamber pop.

''Plastic Apple'' (2002)

The band's debut album, ''Plastic Apple'' was produced and engineered by Larry Crane, who had previously worked with American groups Elliott Smith, Sleater-Kinney,

Cat Power Charlyn Marie "Chan" Marshall ( ; born January 21, 1972), better known by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer-songwriter. Cat Power was originally the name of her first band, but has become her stage name as a solo artist. Born in ...

, and

Sonic Youth Sonic Youth were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1981. Founding members Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar), Thurston Moore (lead guitar, vocals) and Lee Ranaldo (rhythm guitar, vocals) remained together for the entire history of ...

, at Jackpot Records in Portland. Larry Crane played as a multi instrumentalist on the album, with John Mowen (

The Decemberists The Decemberists are an American indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, formed in 2000. The band consists of Colin Meloy (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, multi-instrumentalist), Jenny Conlee (piano, keyboards, accordion, backing vocals ...

, Steve Malkmus & the Jicks) on drums, and Mike Clark (Steve Malkmus & The Jicks) on keys. ''Plastic Apple'' was mastered by Jeff Saltzman (

Death Cab for Cutie Death Cab for Cutie (commonly abbreviated to DCFC or Death Cab) is an American rock music, rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 1997. Death Cab for Cutie's music has been classified as indie rock, indie pop, and alternative rock. The ...

). The album was released on Haynes' record label Zarthustra Records in 2002. It explores themes of love and tragedy and features a song dedicated to

Nietzsche Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (15 October 1844 – 25 August 1900) was a German philosopher. He began his career as a classical philologist, turning to philosophy early in his academic career. In 1869, aged 24, Nietzsche became the youngest pro ...

, one of Haynes' noted muses. With references to

Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( ; ; 22 May 181313 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, essayist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his mature works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most o ...

, and

Lord Byron George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824) was an English poet. He is one of the major figures of the Romantic movement, and is regarded as being among the greatest poets of the United Kingdom. Among his best-kno ...

, critics dubbed Haynes the girl singer-songwriter for the brainy set. Reviewers of the album referenced Haynes' musical style with comparisons to Cat Power,

PJ Harvey Polly Jean Harvey (born 9 October 1969) is an English singer-songwriter. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments. Harvey began her career in 1988 when she joined local band Automat ...

, and

Tori Amos Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos; August 22, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She is a classically trained musician with a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Having already begun composing instrumental pieces on piano, Amos won a full ...

. The track "Void of Course" also appeared on CW network TV show ''It's a Beautiful Life''.

''Waking the Mystics'' (2007)

The second full length Sophe Lux album, '' Waking The Mystics'' featured more theatrical vocals with operatic pop and electronic

influences. The album was recorded entirely at The Type Foundry in Portland, OR engineered by Adam Seltzer of M. Ward and The Decemberists. The track "Marie Antoinette Robot" was mixed by Brian Vibberts (

David Byrne David Byrne (; born May 14, 1952) is an American musician, writer, visual artist, and filmmaker. He was a founding member, principal songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist of the American New wave music, new wave band Talking Heads. Byrne has ...

and

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained global fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and the piano, and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John ...

). The album features Gwynneth Haynes on lead vocals, guitar, and keys, Twayn Williams on guitars, Scott Appleman on Drums, Kelly Goodwin on keys, and Erika Miller on bass. The album was produced primarily by Haynes with the support of Williams, Appleman, Goodwin, and Miller. Choral arrangements for the

rock opera A rock opera is a collection of rock music songs with lyrics that relate to a common story. Rock operas are typically released as concept albums and are not scripted for acting, which distinguishes them from operas, although several have been ad ...

inspired song "Marie Antoinette Robot" were written by Camelia Nine. ''Waking the Mystics'' was released on the Zarathustra Records label in 2007. The cover for the album, "Mr. Bunny" is by pop surrealist Marion Peck. The album explores themes hypnosis and consumerism, and has a song dedicated to Nietzsche's muse Lou Salome. ;Reception The album was well received with Haynes' songs being compared to the likes of

Kate Bush Catherine Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer. Bush began writing songs at age 11. She was signed to EMI Records after David Gilmour of Pink Floyd helped produce a demo tape. In 1978, at the ...

Queen Queen most commonly refers to: * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a kingdom * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen (band), a British rock band Queen or QUEEN may also refer to: Monarchy * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Q ...

, The Decemberists, and

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

. The track "Electra 33" appeared on CW promos for TV show '' The Vampire Diaries'', and the track "Target Market" appeared on Starz Network TV show ''

Gravity In physics, gravity (), also known as gravitation or a gravitational interaction, is a fundamental interaction, a mutual attraction between all massive particles. On Earth, gravity takes a slightly different meaning: the observed force b ...

''. The video for the song "Target Market" was shown at MIDEM in Cannes, France in 2010.

''Hungry Ghost'' (2009)

The third Sophe Lux release ''Hungry Ghost'' (2009), features theatrical art-rock and experimental styles inspired by

Brian Eno Brian Peter George Jean-Baptiste de la Salle Eno (, born 15 May 1948), also mononymously known as Eno, is an English musician, songwriter, record producer, visual artist, and activist. He is best known for his pioneering contributions to ambien ...

Laurie Anderson Laura Phillips "Laurie" Anderson (born June 5, 1947) is an American avant-garde artist, musician and filmmaker whose work encompasses performance art, pop music, and multimedia projects. Initially trained in violin and sculpting,Amirkhanian, Cha ...

, and Kate Bush. The album features Gwynneth Haynes on keys and lead vocals, Kent Sisson on drums, Jeff Grazier on bass, Ken Yates on guitars, and Brianna Ratterman on keys. It was recorded and produced by Sean Flora ( The Shins) at The Magic Closet and Jackpot! in Portland. The album was again mixed by Jeff Saltzman. This album's art rock sensibilities gained comparisons to Queen, Kate Bush,

Peter Gabriel Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist. He came to prominence as the original frontman of the rock band Genesis. He left the band in 1975 and launched a solo career wit ...

, and

Roxy Music Roxy Music are an English rock music, rock band formed in 1970 by Bryan Ferry (lead vocals/keyboards/principal songwriter) and Graham Simpson (musician), Graham Simpson (bass). By the time the band recorded their Roxy Music (album), first albu ...

''All Are One (2016)''

''All Are One'' is an art rock album released August 19, 2016 by Gwynneth Haynes under the moniker Sophe Lux & The Mystic. Haynes wrote the songs, sang the vocals, played keys, synths, drum loops, and made string arrangements. Additional musical support was offered by the album's engineer Larry Crane (Elliott Smith, Cat Power, Sleater Kinney, Pavement, and The Decemberists). Crane contributed bass, guitars, and drum loops. Additional credits include: Paul Pulvirenti (Elliott Smith) on drums and Dan Lowinger for guitar on two tracks. The album was recorded at Jackpot! Recording Studio in Portland, OR. The album was mastered by Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios in Pittsburgh, PA. The album cover “Frequency Of Flower of Life” was created by artist Emily Arnold. ;Reception ''All Are One'' is receiving positive critical reviews with comparisons to Kate Bush, Air, Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Janis Joplin, Florence & The Machine, Aretha Franklin.

Chamber collaborations

Sophe Lux has performed and collaborated with chamber ensembles including Portland's Classical Revolution, and The Portland Cello Project. In these performances, arrangements were crafted for chamber instruments to perform live with Sophe Lux. In the band's performance with The Portland Cello Project, the Sophe Lux song, "Target Market" was performed with a score created by Mattie Kaiser for four cellos. In another performance with Classical Revolution Portland, a string quartet arrangement was created to accompany Sophe Lux in a performance of the song "Fill Me Up with Grace." The choral arrangement on the track "Marie Antoinette Robot 2073" appearing on '' The Mystics'' was composed by Camelia Nine. The baroque introduction to the song "Electra 33" on "Waking the Mystics" was arranged by Kelly Goodwin.

Videos

Haynes is a multimedia artist who has made self-produced videos for ''All Are One'', ''The Love Comet'' which is about an alien child in our future, was premiered in Stereo Embers Magazine and ''Love is Waiting'' premiered in Blurt online Magazine.

Members

Current

*Gwynneth Haynes - keys, lead vocals, guitar (2002–present)

Past/Guest

*Ken Yates - guitar *Twayn Willams - guitar *Larry Crane - multi-instrumentalist *Mike Clark - keys *Kelly Goodwin - keys *Brianna Ratterman - keys *Scott Appleman - drums *Kent Sisson - drums *John Moen - drums *Jeff Grazier - bass *Erika Miller - bass

Discography

Albums

*2002: ''Plastic Apple'' *2007: '' Waking The Mystics'' *2009: ''Hungry Ghost'' EP *2016: ''All Are One'' Sophe Lux & The Mystic: ''"All Are One"''

References

External links

Sophe Lux
at Howlin Wuelf Media
Sophe Lux & The Mystic
on Bandcamp {{Authority control Musical groups established in 2002 Musical groups from Portland, Oregon American experimental rock groups Indie rock musical groups from Oregon 2002 establishments in Oregon