Centripetal Force and Optical Sound Experience are excited to present a unique sonic experience at Oakland’s beautiful First Presbyterian Church with guitarist, improviser, and composer Nate Mercereau, alongside ambient pedal steel visionary Luke Schneider. The evening, rounded out by Oakland's Heavy Arts Ensemble, promises to be a transcendent night of creative sound and community.
Well known for recent work with frequent collaborators like Andre 3000 and Carlos Niño (among many others), Nate Mercerau will perform a solo set drawing on his expansive catalog, leaning into material from Excellent Traveller (Third Man Records, 2024). In the words of frequent collaborator Carlos Niño:
‘An excellent traveller on the surface of Earth, throughout our Human World, and within the vast internal depths of Vision, code and eternal vibration, Mercereau keeps moving . . . This exquisite album of spontaneous solo composition and nuanced improvisation features Living Legends Laraaji, Luis Pérez Ixoneztli and Idris Ackamoor, as well as 3000, Niño and their close collaborator, keyboardist, Surya Botofasina. Nate's (3 years young) Daughter Juniper is on the album.”
Over the past three decades Luke Schneider has established himself as an in-demand session and touring musician across the Outlaw Country, Indie/DIY, and experimental scenes in Nashville. Most recently, He has found his place in the landscape of New Age and pastoral Americana music. His well-received debut solo album, ‘Altar of Harmony’ (Third Man Records), is a collection of cinematic ambient compositions created entirely by pedal steel. In the years since, Luke has continued his experimental elevation of the pedal steel guitar and delved deeper into meditative and calming sounds.
Opening sound provided by Oakland’s Heavy Arts Ensemble
August 29, 2025 | First Presbyterian Church of Oakland | Doors 7 pm | $20 adv. / $25 DOS | Get tickets.
