The Archive Ravens are equally passionate about creating new music and preserving music from different cultures and time periods. They are currently finishing their first album of original music, Trobairitz.

Refusing to be restricted by genre, Trobairitz is highly exploratory: it contains a Troubadour ballad, a Japanese cradle song, a musical palindrome set in the style of sacred music, a 50's/60's girl group number, a Samba dance tune, a James Bond-esque cinematic jazz piece, and much more. However, the messages underpinning the music are united by common themes – including an emphasis on resilience, appreciation for the natural world, and a resolve to be mindful of the current moment. Trobairitz seeks to capture the essence of many disparate cultures, in attempts to unearth the threads of humanity shared between us all.

The Archive Ravens developed out of an acoustic folk duo, Will Schantz (guitar) and Ava Sauer (vocals, keys), covering beloved tunes by Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Neil Young, and other great musicians. Then, Tom Andolsek (guitar, saxophone, vocals) joined, and we began to diversify our repertoire. We now often perform with various friends, including Siena Facciolo (keys, vocals), Josh Miller (bass), and Chris Palace (drums).

[source: Abilene Bar and Lounge website, 2019-May-6]