SONRAY

Saturday, April 24

Doors at 6:30pm

MSA Annex-267 Avenida Del Convento 85745

On Saturday, April 24th, The MSA Annex in Tucson will host the world debut of SonRay, a new musical project that brings together two songwriters familiar to Tucson audiences. Poet and musician Oliver Ray grew up in New York City and spent a decade as guitarist in Patti Smith’s band before relocating to Tucson in 2009, where he began gracing local stages while fronting his own exploratory band (Saint Maybe). In 2018 Ray released the critically lauded solo album Out Passed Nowhere, which features a stellar collection of songs highlighted by a duet with his former running mate, Patti Smith.

The other half of the SonRay partnership is nomadic songwriter Mark Matos (Sonny Santos), who emerged from the Tucson scene in the early 2000’s with his project Campo Bravo and later went on to form the San Francisco-based psych-rockers Os Beaches, and his Lee Hazlewood inspired solo project Trans Van Santos. After spending the last few years living and performing in Europe, Matos has returned to the Old Pueblo to explore his musical relationship with Oliver Ray in the aftermath of recent, world changing events.

Describing the new project, Matos says “It’s Esoteric Music, it can’t really be talked about, it’s a process of initiation.” Expect a departure from the noisy and unwieldy concerts these two have become synonymous with in the past. Rumors suggest tablas and synths may be involved. All bets are on SonRay casting light into the shadows.

The concert is limited to 100 tickets and it is suggested that you purchase tickets in advance here. Doors are at 6:30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased individually or as groups.