Tag Archives: psychedelic

R. M. Hendrix: ‘Night Divine’ — psychedelic dreampop Christmas

19 Monday Dec 2011

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During hours of mall shopping the week before Christmas, I was subjected the cheesiest remakes of the worst holiday pop tunes ever.  Really, I couldn’t care less that you gave your heart away to some undeserving recipient last Christmas.  And for goodness sake, I don’t want to hear that you saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus.  I love shoegaze all year round, yet when it comes to Christmas music I crave traditional carols.  R. M. Hendrix brings the best of both in ‘Night Divine.’

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Between the Cities are Stars interview: fuzzed punk psychedelia

19 Monday Dec 2011

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Between the Cities are Stars is a project that Kyle Hernandez (guitar/ vocals) and Heather (bass/ vocals) began after moving from their hometown of Fresno, CA to the San Francisco Bay Area.  Their joint interest in music fueled them toward a new experimental sound. Hyper punk rhythms, fuzzed out soundscapes, and spacey psychedelia shine through on the band’s August 2011 self-titled album.  As their bio says, Between the Cities are Stars ‘finds ways to make you move, groove and space out.’

Besides the recent release of a few EP’s and this full length album (on limited edition red cassette), the band has been included on a various compilations with Stellarium, Ringo Deathstarr and many others.  Currently, Between the Cities are Stars is looking forward to writing new songs and playing more shows along the West Coast.  Kyle spoke with Resonance about creating deconstructive pop in a way that’s more than just noise. Continue reading »

Sundress: ‘Sundress’ EP — blissful psychedelic reality

16 Tuesday Aug 2011

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There is a moment of consciousness when you close your eyes and hear a voice, and cannot tell if it’s outside the door you just closed or inside the dream you were about to open.  This moment bridges the breathless runaround we call reality and the floating blissfulness of our imagination.  This is the moment out of which Sundress gleans their psychedelic-pop sound.

This five-piece Denton, Texas band is created by principal members Ryan McAdams, bassist Drew McCary, and guitarist Kennon Talley.  Due to legal matters and band member changes, former band names (This Old House, ODYSSEY) were ditched and  keyboardist Jim Harrington and drummer Brack Cantrell were included;  Sundress was formed.  Within one year, Sundress was nominated for a Dallas Observer Music Award for Best New Band.  They opened for acts like Washed Out, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Mister Heavenly, and Tame Impala, and played their shoegaze psych rock at festivals like South by Southwest, 35 in Denton, and Free Press Fest in Houston.  Today, Sundress releases their six-song self-titled debut. Continue reading »

[aftersun]: ‘Pain Sounds’ EP — Internal Voices Echo

27 Wednesday Jul 2011

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It’s art rock, it’s hip hop, it’s shoegaze darkwave swirling in haunting echoes.  Bracketed as a side note, [aftersun] is the Brookly-based solo project of Stephan Cherkashin, former member of Telltale and Audn.  His debut EP, Pain Sounds was released this spring.

[aftersun] begins with the wrenching ache of defeat and humility in “You Were Right.”  Distant outcries are surrounded in tunnels of grooving doom.  Sounding very much trapped in a chamber, the vocals become part of the background, allowing the lead guitar to sing its own chorus. Continue reading »

Also: ‘Music Belongs in the Background’ — Psychedelic Jazz Groove

22 Friday Jul 2011

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Slightly psychedelic with a touch of jazz, Also is labeled by fans as “L.A.’s best kept secret.”  The band name is said to imply “possibility, open-endedness.” Additionally, the name incites expectation as if to say, But wait, there’s more!  And with Also, there’s always something more than what you initially expect.

Founded in 2003, Also is comprised of vocalist/songwriter Drew Conrad, bassist Mark Zelen and drummer Scotland Stephenson.  Somewhat pensive with occasional dramatic flair, their sophomore album, released February 2011 is titled Music Belongs in the Background.

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Stellarscope: ‘Call Me Destroyer’ EP — Spacerock Stars

13 Wednesday Jul 2011

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Out of South Philly, USA comes groovy psychedelic space rock.  Stellarscope is a three piece band comprised of Tom Lugo (vocal /Guitar / fx/ samples/ programming), Rob DeFlaviis (bass / keys) and Bob Forman (drums / percussion).

Over the past decade since their inception, Stellarscope has consistently played along America’s East Coast & Canada while releasing several full-lengths and EPs, and also participating in various worldwide compilations and tribute albums.

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The Sky Drops: ‘Making Mountains’ EP — Foamy Floods of Sound

04 Monday Jul 2011

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Summer is here in all its blazing glory, and in honor of the summer solstice The Sky Drops released a five-track EP, ‘Making Mountains.’  This Delaware duo provides a powerfully enveloping sound with guitar, drums, and vocals in a manner described as ‘gaze-grunge goodness.’

Together since 2006, Rob Montejo and Monika Bullette each bring a richness of previous experience, Montejo from his days in one of the original American shoegaze bands Smashing Orange, and Bullette from her time singing with NERO and drumming for Licorice Roots.  A solidly DIY band, The Sky Drops have self-mananged and self-booked their way into sharing a stage with Cold War Kids, Chairlift, Lights, The Dirty Projectors, and others while touring throughout the United States and the UK.  They performed at the Ambient/Psych Rock Fest in Boston, as well as the Austin Psych Fest this past April.

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