Thor Harris

Thor Harris is a Texas-based musician, multi-instrumentalist, artist and craftsman known for his versatility and distinctive contribution to a variety of musical projects. Born in La Porte, Texas in 1965 and moving to Austin in 1985, Harris has had a significant impact on the music scene, particularly within the experimental, rock and avant-garde genres. In addition to his musical pursuits, Harris is a talented artist and craftsman, known for his handmade marimbas and other percussion instruments. His artistic pursuits often reflect his deep connection to nature and his commitment to sustainability.

Harris served as the percussionist for the influential post-rock band Swans, where his dynamic drumming and eclectic instrumentation played a vital role between 2010 and 2017. in the band's sound.

In addition to Swans, Harris has been a member of several other notable bands and projects, including Shearwater. He has also collaborated and recorded with Bill Callahan, John Congleton, Ben Frost, Amanda Palmer, Adam Torres, Devendra Banhart and others, showcasing his wide musical abilities on a variety of instruments including marimba, vibraphone, flute and clarinet.

< p>Today, Harris fronts Thor & Friends, an ensemble that experiments with the conceptual vocabulary of American minimalism performed by rotating Austin musicians. Harris is an active member of several other contemporary groups, including the critically acclaimed krautpunk band Water Damag, the Sonic Herbalism project with Václav Havelka and James Toth, which brings an innovative fusion of medicinal plants and music, and Wreckmeister Harmonies.