By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Taciturn’s new album celebrates impermanence

On paper, you might not think a progressive rock group from Des Moines has much in common with one of the three essential doctrines of Buddhism. But when you look up the definition of the word impermanence and learn how it expresses the Buddhist notion that every conditioned existence is in flux [the aging process, the cycle of birth and rebirth, and in any experience of loss] you can see how it applies to Taciturn’s enlightened independent album, “Secret Messages in Impermanence.”

The way brothers Todd (guitars) and Shaun (drums) Riekena change musical direction on a dime is a good reminder that attachment to any one musical movement or feeling is futile. The album’s eight original instrumental songs are models of musical unrest and experimentation of atmospheric sounds, noises, melodies and rhythm — the results of countless hours of jamming. They ebb and flow between the dark and the light and encompass a variety of emotions in between, challenging the listener to make their own conclusions at the end of a musical voyage that includes haunting guitar melodies, intricate drum patterns and electronic samples.

“We like to keep a sense of mystery in our music and allow fans to go on a journey,” Shaun said.

That might be the most lengthy explanation you could hope to elicit from the duo that prefers to let their music do the talking — often 10 or more minutes at a time. They live up to their band name as polite, but reserved in speech and manner.

“We’re just happy to be done with it so we can get it out to the people,” Todd said, noting it took the duo four years to complete the album. The drum tracks were recorded at a Des Moines warehouse studio they rented for rehearsals and the guitar parts at their father’s home studio in Oskaloosa. They spent four days mixing and mastering the album at Sound Farm Studios in Jamaica (Iowa) with the help of Matt Sepanic. Shaun, who works as a graphic designer, created the album’s artwork.

“We put a lot into it and we’re proud of it,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming.”

So, too, has been the brothers’ musical journey, which continues to take new direction. After playing in a trio called Moth, Todd and Shaun formed Taciturn in 2001. “We had a vision of forming a band that was something people haven’t heard, to create something different and that would make us happy,” Shaun said. During the past six years, the group has done just that, steadily building a reputation as one of Des Moines’ most original acts, if not only instrumental rock band, which they say is both a hindrance and a good thing.

“We can fit in with different types of music when it comes to finding places to play even though we don’t fit into a specific scene or genre,” Shaun said.

Taciturn’s eclectic brand of music is likely to become even more adventurous with the recent addition of bassist Nick Borror, who also plays with Index Case and By The Beard of Zeus.

“The fact that the music comes first drew me to the band,” Borror said. “When I listen to music the first thing I hear is the instruments, not the lyrics.”

The brothers are excited about the endless possibilities Borror brings to the mix, including beefing up Taciturn’s sound to better allow them to explore new ranges of their instruments.

“He brings another layer to the music and gives us another element to feed off of,” Todd said. “I no longer have to play bass lines, I can go off and play higher parts.”

For Shaun, Borror’s addition will add to the band’s groove. “It’s someone else I can lock in with,” he said. “It will also free me up.”

Artistic freedom is of the utmost importance to Taciturn, adding it has no immediate plans to shop the album. It would, however, like to bulk up the number of gigs it plays. In the meantime, the group is focused on its two CD release shows on Saturday at the Vaudeville Mews, sharing the bill with some bands that have helped and befriended them along the way. Like the mix of groups on the bill, Taciturn continues to draw inspiration from a variety of genres while searching for the ultimate musical journey.

“We want to get a song to a climax,” Todd said. “We like to stretch out an idea and take it in a different direction and pull it all together in the end.”

Scene notes

Roosevelt High School and University of Iowa graduate Megan Bobo has been nominated for the Female Vocalist of the Year for the Southbay Music Awards in Redondo Beach, Calif. Her band, Neverwonder, has been nominated for Alternative/Artist of the Year. Bobo, who lives in Los Angeles, was among the top 25 finalists for “American Idol” last year. … In case you missed it, Scott Kubie is out as executive director of the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition. Kubie, who replaced DMMC founder and former executive director Fritz Jünker, took a job with the Iowa Stars hockey team where he works as a Game Presentation Manager — preparing the game’s opening sequence and conducting promotions during time outs, we’re told. Mike Shoafstall, the new chair of the DMMC’s Events and Festivals committee, whose brother-in-law is Vaudeville Mews owner and active DMMC member Amedeo Rossi, says the group isn’t seeking a replacement for Kubie at the moment and will operate as a board of directors. Other committee chairs include Justin Schoen (Development), Adam Batcheller (Membership) and Jill Haverkamp and Brian Sauer (Marketing and PR). The DMMC will host its annual Little Big Fest on Nov. 17 at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, which features local roots, jam, alt-country and bluegrass acts. … The Salisbury House presents Poem of Fire, the second classical performance of its Chamber Music season Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $25 for adults. Call 274-1777. … The “Breastival” Fundraiser for Breast Cancer, featuring an all-ages show and 21-and-over concert on Friday at 5 and 9 p.m. respectively, will be held at the House of Bricks. The all-ages show includes performances by Infuction, Ruby and Mindasylum. The late show features Soul Sick, Awakened and Dark Mirror. Admission is a cash donation at the door. … Singer-songwriter Scott Stilwell plays Saturday from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Café Diem, 2005 S. Ankeny Blvd., in Ankeny. Admission is free. … Colorado singer-songwriter Chris McCallum plays the Anchor Coffee House at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Call 274-1534. … The Jason Danielson Quintet will perform a jazz worship on All Saints Day on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 5720 Urbandale Ave. … Bon Jovi plays Wells Fargo Arena on April 22. … Martina McBride plays Hilton Coliseum on Jan. 27. Tickets go on sale Nov. 9. CV

Taciturn hosts two CD release shows on Saturday at the Vaudeville Mews to celebrate the release of their new album, “Secret Messages in Impermanence.” An all-ages show, from 5 to 9 p.m., also includes performances by Grinwire, And God Blessed Ignorance and Marcato. The late show includes Skin of Earth, By the Beard of Zeus and Wreckage of the Modern City. Admission is $5 to each show.

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