The Phoenix & the Turtle

• Formed: 2003, Yucaipa, CA
• Genres: Rock

Biography

The mainly instrumental experimental ensemble the Phoenix & the Turtle (the title of a poem by William Shakespeare) travel the path of such avant-garde artists as Godspeed You Black Emperor! Based in the southern California town of Yucaipa, David Barrington (bass), Cahn Curtis (vocals, guitar, keyboard), and Mikie Curtis (drums) had been playing in various bands together for years before meeting Valerie White (vocals, guitar, violin, cello, keyboard). During the summer of 2003, Barrington and the two brothers were working on a song for a funeral when they asked White to collaborate on strings. The band's first effort, Sunday Is a Good Day for Relaxing (2004), was preceded by Asleep in America (2007). ~ Kenyon Hopkin, All Music Guide