Saxophonist Tony Mowe (Modest Mouse, Phil Hesh) and drummer Mark Musselman formed Volcanic Pinnacles in 2012, and over the last decade, they've released a trio of EPs. Now the Portland-based jazz and post-rock duo are now finally releasing their debut LP Tablelands, on December 2. They recorded the experimental and cinematic album at Iconica Studios in Hollywood, CA, where the project was produced by Justin Longerbeam—whose collaboration credits include Portland’s claim-to-fame gems like Siren and the Sea’s For Bathing, and numerous hip-hop and R&B projects such as Chanti Darling’s RnB Vol. 1 and Blossom’s Tease, among others. Tablelands opens with a nine-minute track called, “Spirits of the Highest Clouds and Deepest Waters,” which lets you know how things are going to be: epic. At the close of final track “May All Beings Be Liberated,” it's apparent how much the whole ambient project feels like an uprising followed by war, and the deadly quiet that follows. Fans of British group Sons of Kemet will absolutely love “Festoon.” Days prior to Tablelands’ release, the band will play a celebratory show at the Doug Fir; they'll also have vinyl versions of the album available for presale. 11/23/22 ”

Portland Mercury

The Portland Mercury on the Creative Music Guild Outset Series show, 7/3/13:Tonight's event by the Creative Music Guild promises to be a seismic eruption of experimental innovation. For a few years now, the Guild has been responsible for promoting and showcasing Portland's most inspired left-field musicians and sound projects. Lavas Magmas and Volcanic Pinnacles are forged from the same igneous ore as all acts for CMG showcases, displaying an improvisational spirit that makes these shows a dynamic and unique experience for both audience and performer. Volcanic Pinnacles set a course for the center of the earth with Sun Ra-esque explorations into the free jazz inner core as a two-piece of saxophone and drums.”

Portland Mercury

On the NW Post-Rock Collective Showcase, 4/29/17: "Local jazz/post-rock fusion duo Volcanic Pinnacles headline the NW Post-Rock Collective's third showcase with their lava hot drum- and sax-fueled experiments. http://www.portlandmercury.com/events/18886625/volcanic-pinnacles-human-ottoman-long-hallways-you-may-die-in-the-desert-a-collective-subconscious”

— Portland Mercury

[Volcanic Pinnacles] present a free-floating, free-roaming sonic exploration into the realms of rock, free jazz, and ambient sound." http://www.portlandmercury.com/events/18818591/volcanic-pinnacles-paper-gates-patrick-mcculley”

— Portland Mercury

On the EYRST Halloween Show, 10/30/16: https://everout.com/portland/events/eyrst-halloween-party/e53682/”

Portland Mercury

Doug Fir show, 8/11/19: Volcanic Pinnacles's driven, experimental tracks call in fringe elements of jazz and electronic music.https://www.wweek.com/calendar/cal/1695855”

Willamette Weekly

Mississippi Studios show, 5/1/19: polyrhythmic masters”

Willamette Weekly

Seattle's The Stranger on Debacle Fest 2017, 5/6/17: http://www.thestranger.com/events/25046070/debacle-fest-2017 http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/03/29/25044527/10th-annual-experimental-music-fest-debacle-lineup-heavy-on-northwest-talent”

The Stranger

When I listen to Volcanic Pinnacles I’m instantly stoked on their textural horn and percussion madness. It’s no secret when you hear this song that this duo is incredibly creative and deeply in it. It’s hard not to appreciate a sound like this." -Bryson, from the CD Baby Baby Discover Music Podcast, June 2014 http://discover.cdbaby.com/2014/06/we-are-indie-a-new-music-discovery-podcast-centered-on-local-portland-music-and-the-cd-baby-employee-showcase/#comments”

— CD Baby Discover Music Podcast