While Solyoni’s musical endeavors currently take place in Portland, 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. Musically, the personality of the songs is aided significantly by the considerable talents of Aaron Semer and Jon Kilian of Seattle band The Plains, Robert Lurie, José Sandoval, Chris Pierson, Dave Nash, Jess Abel, Daniel Dominic Mancini, Chris Croft and Bethany Gordon, as well as Adam Fox of Ohio’s Parker Ben Parker. 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