Jewels of the Nile are a trio out of Portland with an obvious influence from the dark Northwest.
Formed early in 2010 by Meghan Christine and Jessy Montaigne (Subtonix) while playing in their other project Magick Daggers, the two bonded over a common love of more primal, downtempo electronic music, also sharing double air in the stars, combining to create a spark of desire to form something that allowed the freedom of complete exploration in music and the world. The two are joined by Amity Givens on electric drums and floor tom, bringing driving beats and a dynamic live performance.
In the past annum, even without a physical release, they’ve already played both coasts with kindred spirits Jessie Evans, The Present Moment, Soft Metals, Bestial Mouths and Arohan on the West Coast, with a short tour of Mexico City performing in underground art gallery parties with RIitualz, and in New York City with their second live performance at QxBxRx.
The music transcends boundaries of dark electronic dance beats, to hints of tropical upbeat tango rhythms, laced with psychedelic reverb and infectious new wave hooks in others. Montaigne provides ether based come- hither lyrics that at times span into a deeper velvet clad register, bringing the suggestion of a more sensuous gnosis. The textures of the multiple synth layers range from pensive organ sounds to bell-like island melodies over tribal beats.
Their first release was a cover split 7” single with Soft Metals out on desire earlier this year and is now sold out.
Pleasure is their debut album and will be released by desire on CD, LP and digital next September and on cassette by Portland’s Sweating Tapes.
