Sound and Stone

Name: Sound and Stone
Band members: Bash Evans–composer, guitar, vocals, ukulele, autoharp, banjo, piano, mandolin.
Nico Evans–primary lyricist, lead vocals, guitar, any hand drum, piano, banjo
Hometown: San Clemente, California AND Portland, Oregon

Founded: 2007

Genre: Acoustic / Storytellers / Folk / Blues / Indie / Improv

Influences: Cat Stevens, The Dublineer’s, The Gipsy Kings, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Bon Iver, James Taylor, Eric Clapton and Jim Croce to name a few.

A mere description of the musical magic created by Sound and Stone does not do justice to the experience that is Sound and Stone. At first glance, the two appear to be ordinary musicians but once they engage you, there is an alluring force felt which attracts even the most casual passerby. As they begin to play, the rhythms, sound, skill, talent, and personality begin to attract and hypnotize an audience with fascination. They way they are able to make music that reaches the soul is a rare gift offering an enchanting encounter long remembered.
J. Lee Hunt writes and open letter about Sound and Stone:
Not so very long ago, maybe a lifetime or two, or maybe just seven summers past, I met these two incredible young men; vision impaired–both of them–by the very same genes that provided them with so many other beautiful and unusual talents. Raised in a truly unconventional way and with absolute acceptance of the beautiful beings that they are, they were encouraged to learn from everything, and share the most abundant ingredient of their upbringing. . . love, love, love.

Self taught musicians, writers, dancers, artists, and storytellers. They are philosophers . . . and both of them, the gentlest of gentlemen. They started street busking ten years ago . . expressing their passion and acting on their strong desire to share and connect intimately with people through their music. Drawing inspiration from their unique view of the world, because of their literal vision being so altered, they are conscious with their determination to honour the generations of artists and music lovers in their family. They spent a nomadic youth between their dual hometowns of San Clemente, California and Portland, Oregon .. . and their unique narrative is the result of all of these aspects combined and presented as an engaging musical experience.

Audiences of all ages, from babes to great grandparents, are captivated by this duo’s combination of storytelling and multicultural sound. Weaving together many diverse musical elements, Sound and Stone creates a one of a kind sound that still manages to truly differ with each song. Influenced by all music and especially blues, 70s folk, flamenco, Irish folk, throat singing, Rishi, and chanting. The blend of all these different sounds, married with their organic ability to express has proven over and over again to move the audience and reach out and touch each person.

They sing standing and dancing barefoot on a rug that belonged to their beloved Nana, who went from here to everywhere in 2010 . . they play instruments with names and being that they do not drive, they are never without their tribe crew for drivers, sound tech and roadies. They are the artisans for any art, designs, website, and merchandise .. and pour their heart and soul into all of it. They do tiny living room concerts, big festival shows and everything in between. When they are not making music or art or dancing . . . they are playing disc golf, playing in water, hiking and watching films. Their core tribe is twelve people strong and they are almost always doing any of these things as a group.

Bash is calm lord of his land, fingers like lightning, guitar virtuoso, working in the color of sound, the light of paint, the precision of pen, with only 13 lessons at 13 years of age his passion born from the first pluck of string, this young man plays the guitar, and my how he plays!

Nico, his famous like face and silly character ways, with the wisdom and grace of a man many times his age, also at 13 he began writing lyrics to the melodies his brother playing, he expressed his voice, and the magic began to happen. . . When this man sings, we listen, we weep, we laugh, and no one is left unmoved!

They have performed all over the west coast between Portland and San Diego with major time touring the eastern parts of Oregon and Washington as well. Always known as live music only, they release new music on the road, to hear it you had to see the next show! They are only just now making plans to record soon, sometime before the end of this year.

It began with love, this journey, and with love it continues. These two extraordinary young men, Bash and Nico Evans, musicians, artists, mystic visionaries both of them, expressing the respect and reverence for their ancestors, and the generous love of their living tribe, in the music of their collective spirit….
So, it is with pride, and a great honor that I introduce you to Sound and Stone. They are my tribe, and we all are excited to share with each and every one of you!

With love,
J Lee Hunt (aka Poe)