"Sable" is a collection of songs by Portland, OR based multimedia artist Darci Phenix.
Written over the course of five years, this work reflects the artist's search for a sustainable version of love.
Shaped by the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, "Sable" moves through memories and dreams of dripping moss, streaming cascades and piles of wood in the snow. As fantasies of home and eternity unravel, these natural images are met with simple truths.
In what will be the second single, "Truth and Clear Water," Phenix goes back to Alaska in the 70s to meet her grandfather, Randy. Written shortly after his passing, this song is set in one of the many novels he wrote and is composed of half his poetry and of half Darci's. This song also moves in conversation with Van Zandt's Loretta , attempting to offer new dimension to his barroom girl.
Stark songwriting, wandering pedal steel and distorted guitars locate this record among recent releases from artists like Allegra Krieger, Hannah Frances and Haley Heynderickx.
Thanks to co-producer Tejas Leier Heyden (collaborator of Madison Cunningham) and Philip Weinrobe (collaborator of Adrianne Lenker and Florist) on the mix and master, "Sable" finds itself in the same dream-folk spaces the artist's favorites frequent.
"Sable" is both proof of Portland's rare and incredible music scene as well as a vote of confidence in it. It was recorded in places like an 1800s carriage house off of Belmont Street and a community music studio behind a donut shop. It has involved more than 15 local artists whose titles range from wallpaper maker to owner of an ethical dove release business. Much of the post production effort was financed by a Portland arts grant and the vinyl was pressed only 15 minutes from Phenix's house. This kind of community support is what led Phenix to leave Team Love Records (after 7 years of collaboration) to work with a local label, Get Loud Recordings.
In celebration of her finished work, Phenix is currently combining her love of textiles and music by creating large scale (8' x 6' and 9' x 7') textile sculptures that reflect the worlds of the songs and take the shapes of butterflies. These sculptures are made primarily of recycled wool that Phenix dyes with local plants. The process of making these is called rug-tufting and is an emerging art form with roots in historic practices like punch needle and rug-hooking.
Phenix hopes that these textile pieces will give listeners a visual entry point for the songs and encourage deeper engagement with them. They offer small responses to big questions like: What would it be like to live inside of a song? And what if the imaginary worlds we create got to be as real as the one in front of us?
Phenix will be performing 4 songs off of the record with a string trio alongside her finished textile works at LAURA VINCENT DESIGN & GALLERY on March 6, 2025. The textile show will remain on display throughout the month of March.
