BIOGRAPHY
Mayan Ruins (live debut~9/24/2006) usually perform with Tribal dancers in unusual venues like churches (deconsecrated & otherwise) Masonic temples & outdoor pagan festivals as well as taverns, coffeehouses & a teahouse. Our sound incorporates psychedelic, gothic, shamanic, middle eastern & asian influences.
Annette Christianson - violin
Rob Dorsey – chant, vocal, djembe & various percussive devices
Ron Esposito – crystal bowls & chant
Derek Garteiz - electric guitar, djembe, doumbek & percussion
Christian Hartman - fender bass, doumbek, frame drum & tambourine
Zachary J. Mechlem – resonator guitar, doumbek
Will Menton – electric guitar, doumbek
Gregory Morris – violin, acoustic guitars, mandolin
Paul Ravenscraft – conga, percussion
Denny Schoeny - doumbek, djembe, bells & various percussion
We are strictly improvisational & record most of our shows & our studio pieces are also improvised, round-robin style, with each player adding his/her layer over those previously recorded. ASTRAL VIOLET (on self titled cd) is a hybrid-Zachary J. Mechlem's Hindi style resonator guitar was recorded live at a performance, isolated & the other parts were laid in around it. Derek Garteiz is the engineering wizard who records it all, mixes it down (often dub style, dropping instruments in & out) & Christian does the final mastering.
Our all live compilation, SACRED & PROFANE (so titled because it was recorded in a church, in a woodland wedding chapel & at a couple of taverns!) is a collection of some of our best performances from 2008/2009 & it really captures some of the excitement of Mayan Ruins live.
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