Solyoni

While Solyoni’s musical endeavors currently take place in the Pacific Northwest, the ruminations of the band began in Athens, Ohio in the spring of 1999. Friends bound by a common lust for generic cereal mascots, Solyoni braintrust Dan Lurie and Dominic Aulisio agreed to dwell together in a 5' by 9' one bedroom efficiency for a period of one year. Lurie and Aulisio precociously assumed that if they picked up musical instruments they had no idea how to play, an avalanche of brilliant song writing would logically ensue. Living at the time in a commune of hunters and artisans, they didn't have far to search for more talent to flesh out their desired sound. Enlisting any willing and able-bodied musician, Solyoni forged a tradition of incorporating varied musical talents. Lyrically, Solyoni attempts to weave interesting off-kilter tales, or give unusual perspectives on common themes. This ever-growing collective of musicians is spread all across the country, though Solyoni’s current live band is stationed in Portland, Oregon.

Meet the collective
Dan Lurie
Vocals, guitar.
Fun fact: Lurie almost gave up making music in 2002 after realizing that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to make an album anywhere close to the perfection that is Bell Bive Devoe's Poison.
Appears On: All Solyoni albums, and current live roster.
Dominic Aulisio
Vocals, guitar, mouth pieces.
Fun fact: Aulisio almost gave up making music in 2002 after realizing that no matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to make an album anywhere close to the perfection that is Bell Biv Devoe's Hootie Mack.
Appears On: All Solyoni albums.
Jess Abel
Bass, keyboard, melodica.
Fun fact: Jess keeps local merchants in business by purchasing a new dress for every Solyoni show she plays.
Appears On: Kenesaw Mountain Landis, and current live roster.
Shannon Handy
Drums.
Fun fact: Shannon enjoys wine, catchy music, and space heaters.
Appears On: Current live roster.
Garrett Burt
Guitar.
Fun fact: Garrett carries a switchblade comb, and he's not afraid to use it.
Appears On: Current live roster.
Aaron Semer
Guitar, drums, banjo, bass, programming, vocals.
Fun fact: Semer uses the number 3 setting on his Norelco beard trimmer. Beard officionados refer to this as a tweener beard.
Appears On: Prairie Monsters, The Princess Market, and Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
Robert Lurie
Guitar, vocals.
Fun fact: A tomato is actually a fruit, not a vegetable.
Appears On: Prairie Monsters, The Princess Market, and Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
Daniel Dominic Mancini
Drums, stylophone.
Fun fact: Daniel can see all the way to China, as evidenced by this photo.
Appears On: Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
Dave Nash
Guitar.
Fun fact: Dave is an aficionado of the rhombus-shaped guitar.
Appears On: Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
Harper Piver
Violin.
Fun fact: Piver will be happy to fiddle you a tune on the ol' horsehair.
Appears On: Kenesaw Mountain Landis, and Vanilla Clown.
Vanessa Rehder
Vocals, mini organ.
Fun fact: Vanessa has been known to marry members of Solyoni.
Appears On: Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
Chris Pierson
Bass.
Fun fact: Pierson foolishly uses scissors to trim his beard.
Appears On: The Princess Market.
Jon Kilian
Drums.
Fun fact: Kilian knows where you live.
Appears On: Prairie Monsters, and The Princess Market.
José Sandoval
Guitar.
Fun fact: Sandoval knows how to cook.
Appears On: The Princess Market.
Bethany Gordon
Clarinet, keyboard, toys, vocals.
Fun fact: Gordon's twin sister Stephie has never lost a game of Battleship.
Appears On: Swamp Dirges, Sadness & Kickball, and Prairie Monsters.
Leslie Keffer
Guitar, violin, keyboard.
Fun fact: Keffer makes really good mix tapes, and can tune a violin in just under 45 minutes.
Appears On: Swamp Dirges.
Brian Kokai
Bass.
Fun fact: Brian left Solyoni right before the band skyrocketed to fame. Now he wanders around in a life jacket, just to be on the safe side.
Appears On: Swamp Dirges.