Immediately after I wrapped the Daniel James interview (which you undoubtedly watched last week) on February 15, the second part of the day began as I made my way to the train to cross the San Francisco Bay into Oakland. My appointment was at a practice space, which turned out to be a more convenient location for everyone than an apartment. Awaiting me there were Robin Landy and Eric Kuhn, the instrumental indie rock duo known as Silian Rail. I had met them on an assignment for Performer Magazine that, due to the company’s restructuring, was never published. I hope this episode can make up for it.

On the night of November 21, 2008, I found myself in the basement performance space of San Francisco’s Retox Lounge, which was decked out with busted guitars, as well as seats and windows salvaged from a commercial airliner. The first band on the bill that night was Silian Rail, a guitar-drums instrumental duo that basically became my new Tristeza and Tortoise all rolled into one from the first tune they played. (more…)