Jeffrey Silverstein

Jeffrey Silverstein is an east-coaster turned PNW-er who teaches, writes, runs, meditates, and obviously, makes some extremely cool music. He has a beautiful new EP called Torii Gates that is out tomorrow on Arrowhawk Records.

Last year, Jeffrey’s full-length You Become the Mountain made our AOTY list – an album of “effortless meditation” – even the most reluctant ball of stress will find their jaw unclenching and their shoulders descending as they listen to Jeffrey’s grounding vocals accompanied by recordings of guided mindfulness techniques and Barry Walker Jr.’s soaring pedal steel arcs.

Torii Gates uses similar elements – soothing tones, singing bowls, root-chakra-reaching resonance, and positive affirmation. Although it is an EP – it feels like a perfect circle, no weak moments and not too shortlacking or wanting – just enough. Retaining YBATM’s chill, the addition of a heavy, acidic injection of fuzzed-out, blistering guitar electrifies the listener. Previously, Walker’s pedal steel may have been center stage, but with Torii Gates, the intriguing, luminescent guitar work is the star of the show. Of course, it it is more than the sum of its parts, a kaleidoscopic journey inward and out. You Become the Mountain was very much of earth and air while Torii Gates contemplates aquatic themes, both literally and figuratively – the blue mind, fluid and languid, rivers running by, emerging earnest and transcendent.

Pre-order Torii Gates on Bandcamp.

Album art by Sunny Eckerle.