The solo project of Oregon-based harpist, pianist and singer Lily Breshears, Sheers occupies the intersection of pop and neoclassical, producing songs that defy any clear genre and instead operate according to the vision and intuition of their creator.
The invention and ambition of the Sheers sound is formed in part by the formative experiences in which it developed. Breshears tours as a member of the bands of Haley Heynderickx and Alexandra Savior, and has lent harp to recordings by Jenny Slate, Lonnie Holley and a number of other artists, meaning they have steeped themselves in a wide range of musical styles and genres from Portland and beyond. Therefore, rather than operating within the limited conditions of a small local scene, Sheers draws from a vast pool of influences, collecting small elements from across the field to craft something entirely new.
Because, in resisting the pull of genre conventions, Breshears opens up a space in which genuinely novel combinations can be explored. But rather than being some experimental collision of pop and classical, ‘high’ and ‘low’, the Sheers sound is instinctive and heartfelt, the various threads knitted seamlessly. This is not a clumsy reach for novelty for novelty sake, rather a versatile and innovative artist using every tool available to best convey what they have to say.
Today we’re delighted to share a brand new track, ‘Indistinct Clatter’, what Breshears describes as “a song for the sleepless nights, for the days that feel too loud to hear through.” The atmosphere is equal parts haunting and comforting, lapping with a tidal patience and slowly gathering intensity. The restrained atmosphere might never quite be punctured, no thundering crescendo arrives, but the track’s impact lies in its gradual build, Breshears’s vocals echoing with a mantra-like power.
The song comes complete with a video by Aaron Curry, recorded at Fairchild Chapel in Oberlin, Ohio during a tour with Haley Heynderickx across the East Coast and Midwest. Check it out below:
You can find Sheers on Bandcamp.
