Carmina Piranha

Carmina Piranha is a four-member, all-female band based in Portland, Oregon. Since 1995, they have charmed audiences throughout the western United States with their refreshingly original music. On stage, the members of Carmina Piranha are magnetic performers who clearly enjoy themselves -- a feeling that inevitably infects the crowd. Like their name implies, Carmina Piranha's sound juxtaposes beautiful melodies with a biting edge. The results are unpredictable and moody.

Like their name implies, Carmina Piranha's sound juxtaposes beautiful melodies with a biting edge. The results are unpredictable and moody. Their eclectic songs range from the Latin-influenced to the power pop, from the heartbreakingly lonesome to the mysterious and spooky. Their sound is nonetheless unified by the powerful and moving vocal talents of Lisa Stringfield; the flamenco-inspired acoustic guitar prowess of Lara Michell; the rock-solid virtuosity of bassist Nancy Hess; and the knock-your-socks-off drumming that Kirsten Swanson impressively provides.

In April of 1998, Carmina Piranha collaborated with the respected Oregon Ballet Theatre, composing and performing the musical score for an original rock ballet choreographed by OBT Artistic Director James Canfield. The band recorded this music as their debut CD, Revenge Poems, and released it in conjunction with OBT's performances.

Carmina Piranha has also participated in both the NxNW and SxSW Music Festivals and has contributed to several compilation CDs including Artists for a Hate Free America, Trout Aid I and II and Deep Roots V (the Troutdale High School Poetry Project).

August 3, 2002, marks the release of Carmina Piranha's new 7-song EP, Lucid, and will also serve as the band's affectionate swan song (or fish song, as the case may be). With more than seven years of great fun and hard work behind them, Carmina Piranha has amicably decided that while it has been a great ride, the time has come to move on to different pursuits, musical and otherwise.

NOTE: If you like Carmina Piranha, check out solo recordings by Carmina Piranha guitarist Lara Michell and Carmina Piranha bassist Nancy Hess!