Abronia

Abronia is a six-piece experimental psych rock band based in Portland, Oregon. The band was formed after Eric Crespo, a long-time musician, returned from a backpacking trip in Southeastern Utah with a vision for a new musical project. The name "Abronia" is inspired by a flower emblematic of the region. The band features Keelin Mayer on tenor saxophone and vocals, Paul Michael Schaefer and Eric Crespo on guitars, Rick Pedrosa on pedal steel, Shaun Lyvers on bass, and Shaver on a 32-inch marching bass drum. Their music blends elements of Americana, krautrock, psychedelia, and UK folk, creating a unique sound that is both haunting and energetic. Abronia's recent releases include albums like *Map of Dawn* and *The Whole of Each Eye*, showcasing their ability to craft genre-resistant music that explores complex emotional landscapes.

Abronia's members come from diverse backgrounds across the United States, with Keelin Mayer hailing from Chicago, Paul Schaefer from rural Minnesota, Rick Pedrosa from Maryland, Shaun Lyvers from Florida, Shaver from the DC suburbs, and Eric Crespo from North Carolina. This diverse mix contributes to the band's rich sonic tapestry. Abronia's collaborative approach to music-making involves a consensus-based decision-making process, which has helped them maintain cohesion and productivity, even during challenging times like the pandemic. Their music is characterized by its ability to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere, often drawing inspiration from natural landscapes and personal experiences.