South China was born in 2002 as a marriage, musically and literally, of Jeremy and Jerusha Robinson. Their individual backgrounds in experimental rock and classical music produce a sound that feels sparse and improvised, evoking a slightly dark and dream-like state, like trying to recall something that is just beyond the edges of memory. They draw listeners into their intimate world of Maine winters, bittersweet moments, subtle humor, and the bizarre dream imagery.

While living on Washington Avenue in Portland during 2003-2004, they wrote constantly, and also began collaborations with their friend and former band mate David Lamb, forming the first trio version of Brown Bird. Over the following 6 years South China chipped away at their catalog, writing, re-writing, ditching, digging up, gestating. They moved six times. They landed in Biddeford and rented out a music studio on Washington Street. When coming up with a name for the album which they are finishing up with Ron Harrity at Peapod Recordings, the one that stuck was “Washingtons”.

They have been members of the dark Americana band Brown Bird for the better part of the last 6 years. They are also currently members of Plains and Tiny Fires (both Portland bands) and have been frequently collaborating with White Light, Tin Ceilings, Guy Capecelatro III and Sontiago. – LastFM

Sound picture (c) Laura Steenberge

Tune in to “Gachan Gachan” with DJ Space Cadet this Thursday, 3/4 from 4-6pm to hear LA-based sound artists Cat Lamb and Laura Steenberge perform a collaborative exploration of sound colorations by numbers for viola, contrabass and voice.

LA-based musician Rachael Cantu talked to DJ Lilly outside of her Feb. 11th show at the Motley Coffeehouse on Scripps College about her new album “Far and Wide,” touring with B.B. King, and why playing coffeehouses make her nervous. Tune in to “Flowerhours” today from 4PM-6PM to hear what Rachael had to say!