Mirabilis
Mirabilis is the neo-classical/ethereal musical project started by Dru Allen of This
Ascension and Summer Bowman of the Machine in the Garden. Using vocals as the
primary instrumentation, Mirabilis crafts original musical compositions as well as
interprets traditional classical vocal pieces from a number of different periods. The
music is melodic and rich and borrows from classical, ethereal, darkwave, and gothic
genres.
The name Mirabilis is Latin for something that is wonderful, miraculous, or unusual.
The two women see their musical union as an amazing and unique experience and the
name embodies those sentiments. Dru and Summer are the core members of Mirabilis, but they use the project as an avenue to bring in other like-minded artists as guest performers to create something that is extraordinary and unique.
In 2001, Mirabilis made their debut on Projekt Record's holiday compilation, Excelsis, Volume 3 with their rendition of the Spanish carol, "Riu Riu Chiu."
In December of 2003, the band's first release, a limited edition 7-inch self-titled EP was released on Fossil Dungeon. They quickly followed up with a full-length debut CD, Pleiades, in 2004 on the Middle Pillar Presents label. Pleiades blends together the beautiful voices of Summer and Dru as well as guest vocalists Regeana Morris (of The Changelings), Katy Belle (of Matson Belle), and Rebecca Colleen Miller.
In 2007, Mirabilis returns with the second full length album, Sub Rosa. Released in partnership between Middle Pillar Presents and Projekt, the release has a unique intensity and style, showcasing a broader range of instruments and styles while still exploring familiar classical and ethereal ground. Vocals continue to shine as the dominant instrumentation but Dru and Summer also explore a variety of new lush instruments and still remain true to their own unique genre.
Summer Bowman is half of acclaimed gothic/darkwave duo the Machine in the
Garden. Summer has performed roles as both a singer and songwriter and has also
become involved in the recording studio engineering, mixing, and producing. In addition
to these projects, Summer performs with the Austin Civic Chorus, the featured chorus
of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Dru Allen has also put her stamp on the ethereal world, having co-founded the band
This Ascension. The group blends standard indie rock with tribal elements and a
number of vocal styles including opera, medieval, and traditional folk. In addition, Dru
performed in the University of California Santa Barbara Women's Ensemble every
quarter for four years while working towards her degree in Classical Latin and Greek.
Other Middle Pillar releases by Summer Bowman/the Machine in the
Garden:
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