redshift, sb.
[f. RED a. and sb + SHIFT sb.]
1. Displacement of spectral lines towards the red end of the
spectrum; increase in the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation.
2. Portland based modern hard rock band; members include
Jonah Saifer, Tyler Chen, Gabriel Kniffin, Chris Veitz
and Reed Thompson.

QUOTES FROM THE BAND:

"I used to think of music as something to construct. To result in success, or money, or popularity, or sounding like this, or achieving that. Being able to drop that attitude of trying to construct music for a purpose...be it success or otherwise, and instead being able to channel what's in the air and what's on your mind. Letting the music use you as a vessel in the way that you don't even feel like you're really writing it. It's just coming to you and coming through you.

I think that that is really the goal for me in terms of the kind of music I write. I think you get the most honest and original results that way. Don't think about it as an end. Be sensitive to what is around you and what is in the air."
-Jonah Saifer (lead vocals/guitar)



"Michelangelo had a very interesting theory about sculpting: that the statue is already in the stone, and has been in the stone since the beginning of time. The sculptor's job is to see it and release it by carefully scraping away excess material.

I believe this is also true in music. You can spend your entire life struggling to master an instrument, but until you are able to momentarily surrender your consciousness and forget about your fears, technique, your audience and the physical moment, you may never truly see the masterpiece that is within you.

For me, there is a point that I reach when playing the drums where my consciousness moves past the here and now, and I relinquish control of my playing. As my mind separates from my body, I become a mere observer of my own performance."
-Tyler Chen (drums)



"When I was a kid, I religiously listened to my dad's record collection. I don't know why. Some of the music would give me a weird feeling...it was like I was absorbing it. Whether it was a guitar chord or a singer's voice, I felt something. I began to delve into underground music that was different than what was popular at the time. Finally, one day my brother bought "Moving Pictures", by RUSH and it changed me forever. The playing of those three guys was unbelievable. It made me want to play so bad. My family didn't have the means to just buy me a bunch of equipment and hope to god I would play, so it took me a while to figure out where I needed to be with my musical dreams. I didn't set any unrealistic goals, I just let it happen, and this is where I am now...with my four other musical "brothers", waiting to see what will happen next."
-Chris Veitz (bass guitar)



"There are many parallels between the martial arts and music. Both require an ability to adapt to a situation that is in constant state of change. Both force you to be fluid with ideas. Choosing notes in response to a changing chord progression, for example, is analogous to choosing counters in response to various moves and positions of your body with respect to an opponent.

A musical situation, like a situation one encounters in the martial arts is fluid and dynamic, much like a conversation that flows automatically, without conscious thought - the refined product of muscle memory and reflex action. It moves... flow with it. Where is it going? Bruce Lee would say, " It just sort of happened." " It ," happens instinctively - automatically and you're left thinking, "How did that happen?"

It's most gratifying when it's a surprise, beautiful and spontaneous. It's hard to understand unless you experience it for yourself. Then you know, and there's no question - it's almost Zen."
-Gabriel Kniffin (guitar)



"One of my first memories of music was listening to my stepfather's vinyl copy of "Start Me Up" by the Rolling Stones. My mother banned the album after getting tired of me listening to it everyday, over and over. Since then it's been an addiction and an obsession. I grew up listening to lots of old great bands. My parents gave me The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, Warren Zevon (R.I.P.), The Velvet Underground, Stevie Ray Vaughn and much more. All this paved the way until I was actually ready at age 14 to seriously pick up a guitar. At this point I started finding other artists of my own: Metallica, Zakk Wylde, Van Halen, Godsmack, Pink Floyd and Mudvayne to name a few. It came pretty naturally to me, and I felt like a hole in my life was filled.

Music has always been a part of my life, even when I denied its importance to me. It has always been in the shadows, patiently waiting for me to acknowledge the inevitable. If I were to describe what type of affect music has had on my life, it would be like a soul mate or a really good friend. I learn about myself and the world around me when I'm totally engrossed in the craft. It gives me time away when I need it but always reminds me where my heart lies when I stray too far or forget. It gives me comfort when I need it, understanding when I feel alone and an outlet when my emotional cup is full.

When I am playing music I feel whole. When I share my music I feel like I can help others find what they are missing."
-Reed Thompson (guitar)