portal iii by portal iii

Famed composer Pauline Oliveros, originator of the "deep listening" concept said "Listening is a lifetime of practice, listening can be focused on detail or open to the entire field of sound. Listening is a mysterious experience that is not the same for everyone." portal iii invites the listener to become immersed and transported to the edge of consciousness.

portal iii featuring a trio of veteran Minnesota musicians, introduces its debut release with a self-titled double LP of four deep listening instrumental pieces. Bassist Liz Draper (who's played with everyone from the Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers to the Balkan folk group Orkestar Bez Ime), had been touring with folk traveler, songwriter and guitarist Charlie Parr of Duluth, MN. The two discovered a shared mutual interest in drone and ambient music. portal iii emerged as a trio when Draper recruited former bandmate Chris Gray from doom project Up the Mountain Down the Mountain to join them on drums. With the three of them sharing a broad range of tastes and playing styles, anything was possible, but it was a need to seek out new sonic territory that led them to create portal iii.

portal iii's self titled debut was recorded over two days at Real Phonic Studio with Erik Koskinen in Cleveland, MN. Having been recorded through hail and a tornado on the rolling prairie landscape seems hauntingly appropriate for their sonic template and connection to place.

Liz Draper / bass
Charlie Parr / guitar
Chris Gray / drums

portaliii.space