Silian Rail split 7"Popdose’s semi-regular Class of 2009 Updates follow the latest developments with the artists covered in last year’s Parlour to Parlour series.

Silian Rail, the Bay Area duo covered in Episode 3 of Parlour to Parlour, bear the distinction of being of the only all-instrumental band covered in last year’s video series. Given the excitement incited within me by the intricate musical explorations of drummer Eric Kuhn and guitarist Robin Landy, I’m only too happy to report that Silian Rail have two new releases out this year.

First up is a split 7″ single with the Seattle-based band By Sunlight, which was revealed just two short months ago at a record release show at Milk, in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district.

Silian Rail "Parhelion"But the big news here is that Silian Rail’s second full-length album, Parhelion, has finally arrived via the small Bay Area label Parks and Records (and the label has kindly made a short preview of the album available to hear). It follows in much the same fashion as their debut, and I you, to pieces, offering more of their intense, progressive grooves that place these two musicians in such high regard. Robin Landy is one of those guitarists I have to limit myself to hearing just to keep myself from succumbing to the urge to give up and put my guitar down for good, and Eric Kuhn just might be the finest rock drummer you’re likely to hear in the Bay Area today. When they’re on, they’ll simply knock you flat on your ass.

And if you’re in the mood to have your ass knocked out cold, you’re in luck — the band begins a month-long tour this week, taking them all through Washington, Oregon, Northern and Southern California, and (gasp) even a bit of Arizona too. It’s at any of these shows (or at the Side With Us Records online store) where you can pick up the new 7″ single, though Parhelion is also available as a download through Amazon if getting there in person — always the best option, in my not so humble opinion — is out of the question.

Silian Rail summer 2010 tour dates:

July 9: Uptown Lounge — Oakland, CA
July 15: Noami’s Warehouse — Chico, Ca
July 16: TBD (”help us book this show and be loved forever by us,” says the band) — Arcata, CA
July 17: The Knife Shop w/ Hearts and Minutes, Swim Swam Swum — Portland, OR
July 18: Sunset Tavern w/ By Sunlight, Keaton Collective — Seattle, WA
July 19: Empyrean — Spokane, WA
July 20: The Garden of Sweden — Olympia, WA
July 21: The Granery Pizza Company — Eugene, OR
July 22: Mate Bar w/Polar Bears — Santa Rosa, CA
July 23: Gingerbread House — San Jose, CA
July 24: Pehrspace, w/ Death House Chaplain, Signal Hill — Los Angeles, CA
July 25: Bar Pink, w/ The Burning of Rome — San Diego, CA
July 26: Skrappy’s (Tuscon Youth Collective) w/ .west, Mascaron — Tucson, AZ
July 27: Yucca Tap Room — Tempe, AZ
July 28: Hotel Monte Vista — Flagstaff, AZ
July 29: Origami Vinyl — Los Angeles, CA
August 1: The Rickshaw Stop (record release show) — San Francisco, CA

Music, Parlour to Parlour

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Michael Fortes

Michael Fortes began writing for Popdose upon its launch in January of 2008, following a music writing journey that began with his high school newspaper and eventually led to print and web publications such as Performer Magazine and Bullz-Eye.com. Born and raised in The Biggest Little State in the Union (otherwise known as Rhode Island), Michael relocated in 2004 to San Francisco, where he works as an office professional during the day, sings harmonies in Sugar Candy Mountain at night, and religiously supports the local San Francisco Bay Area music scene nearly every chance he gets.

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