The Sonora Pine

Following a late-1994 dissolution of Louisville math rockers Rodan, bassist Tara Jane O’Neil relocated to NEW YORK and founded two split rings: the rootsy indie pop duo Retsin (with Cynthia Nelson of Ruby Falls) as well as the more experimental Sonora Pine. O’Neil’s main collaborator within the Sonora Pine was guitarist Sean Meadows, a previous person in Lungfish who’d also became a member of ex-Rodan guitarist Jeff Mueller’s fresh music group, June of 44. O’Neil and Meadows quickly added improvisational violinist Samara Lubinski, and performed some shows around NY. Following a break to focus on their additional tasks, the Sonora Pine reconvened in Louisville, this time around with Rodan drummer Kevin Coultas in tow, and documented a self-titled debut record that made an appearance on Quarterstick in 1996. Even though off-kilter sensibility of Rodan was present, the record had a very much gentler chamber atmosphere and folk-pop impact; it also highlighted visitor piano from Rachel Grimes of Rachel’s, the post-rock chamber ensemble discovered by just one more ex-Rodanite, Jason Noble. Certainly, most critics positioned the Sonora Pine’s music among the orchestrated sensibility of Rachel’s as well as the angular mathematics rock and roll of Rodan and June of 44. Meadows eventually departed the group, reducing these to a trio; in his lack, their music dropped a lot of its rock and roll flavor, growing also subtler and quieter. Their sophomore work, The Sonora Pine II, premiered in 1997, and the group associates went their split ways. O’Neil came back to Retsin and in addition embarked on a single profession in 2000.