One of the artists I’m most excited to see at Levitation Austinis Lee Scratch Perry. LSP is the godfather of dub music, one of the founding fathers of reggae, and one of the most influential producers and artists in the world. You owe a debt to him if you love EDM, dark wave, hip hop, and innovative studio work. I never thought I’d get to see him live, so his set was put at the top of my list as soon as the lineup was announced.
The band (Ambrose Kenny Smith – harmonica, vocals, synths, Cook Craig – guitars and bass, Eric Moore – drums, percussion, theremin, Joey Walker – guitar and vocals, Lucas Skinner – bass, Michael Cavanaugh – drums, Stu Mackenzie – guitar, vocals, flute) is wildly prolific and able to switch musical styles faster than a chameleon changes colors. Their last album, Paper Mache Dream Balloon, is a lovely bit of psychedelic hippy pop music with some rock and blues touches.
Nonagon Infinity, however, is the most blistering rock record I’ve heard in a long while. “Robot Stop” explodes from the opening seconds like a land mine hit by a tank. Each track flows seamlessly into the next. This happens so well that the album loops on itself by the end. I’ve read interviews with the band in which they had planned this all along. The album can be listened to on loop without any noticeable bumps in the road. In fact, you could start Nonagon Infinity on any of the nine tracks and it would still loop itself without stumbling. It’s an incredible piece of audio engineering.
“Big Fig Wasp” emerges from “Robot Stop” like a train emerging from a tunnel. Everything is layered in wall-flattening guitars, double drumming, and slightly distorted vocals before launching into “Gamma Knife” like a rocket leaving Cape Canaveral. The harmonica on “Gamma Knife” is the booster on that rocket, taking the song out of orbit. “People Vultures” follows it, with lyrics about rampant consumerism and a heavy Jethro Tull feel.
“Mr. Beat” has a great trippy groove before “Evil Death Roll” comes in with heavy reverb on the guitars and a cool mix of stoner rock and psychedelia. “Invisible Face” sounds like they recorded it while diving 80mph down a dark desert road. “Wah Wah” refers to both the guitar effects and the near mystical chant lyrics as it builds to mind-blowing intensity. It melts your brain into the closer (or is it the opener?) – “Road Train,” which might crush any sanity you have left by this point.
As stunning as Nonagon Infinity is, I’m sure it is even better live, so don’t miss them on their current tour. You won’t regret it, or buying this record.
Keep your mind open.
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People tend to fall into two categories when it comes to Azealia Banks – lovers or haters. I’m firmly in the first category, because she’s a musical titan with great rhyme, a lovely singing voice, and beats that “will make you gag” (as she puts it) because they’re so sick. I don’t care about her Twitter tirades (none of which have offended or affected me or anyone I know). In fact, more power to her for speaking her mind in the sausage fest that is the music industry.
So, I was one of the many excited when she started dropping a few cuts from her upcoming album Business and Pleasure on us this week. The only one you can still find with good quality is “The Big Big Beat,” which has Banks rhyming about her double-D’s to being the baddest girl on the block. The beats are killer and it’s a hot warm-up for the new album. Her last, Broke with Expensive Taste, was among my favorite records of 2014. This new record can’t get here quick enough for me.
Keep your mind open.
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Los Angeles psych-rockers Allah-Las will be performing at Levitation Austinon May 1st. They have a neat mix of surf, psych, and 1960s garage rock that I’m guessing comes from the fact that three of them met while working at AmoebaRecords where they had ample opportunity to talk music and dig up vintage gems from the era.
Keep your mind open.
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Australian psych-rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard return to Levitation Austinon May 1st. My wife and I were lucky enough to see their first performance on U.S. soil at the festival two years ago, and I’m keen to see them again. Their new album, Nonagon Infinity, is a sizzling rocker that loops on itself from multiple directions. Hearing it live should be mind-blowing.
Prince has left us. To say he was an innovator is a massive understatement. He’s influenced more people than we can ever know. Everyone has been writing about his massive hits, his virtuoso guitar work, his multiple talents in and out of the studio, his basketball skills, and everything to do with Purple Rain.
I choose to remember how damn fun he was. Yes, he wrote and performed songs about heartbreak and loss, but I’ll always remember him for his funk influences and how he encouraged all of us to get our groove on, and by that I mean to get laid. Prince encouraged us to embrace our inner nature and to overcome haters by being bigger, bolder, and ballsier than them.
I plan to write a larger piece on Prince’s cementing of his legendary status at the 2007 Super Bowl, but for now let us remember him with the joy he brought us and encouraged us to have with him.
Los Angeles post-punk band Drinking Flowerswill bring their cool drone / psychedelic sound to Levitation Austinon May 1st, playing the Levitation Tent that day. This is another band I hadn’t heard of before they were booked for the festival. I love discovering new, good bands, and they sound like another one I’ll be obsessed with by the time their set is finished.
Keep your mind open.
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This San Francisco psychedelic three-piece Cellar Doorsmakes haunting, intriguing sounds that hooked me from the first listen. I hadn’t heard of them until they landed a spot at Levitation Austin, so I’m thankful for their upcoming appearance on May 1st. They open the Levitation Tent stage, and I’m sure it will be a good start to the day.
Keep your mind open.
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A major coup for Levitation Austinthis year is landing the legendary Brian Wilsonof the Beach Boys. He’ll be performing the landmark classic album Pet Sounds in its entirety for its 50th anniversary on April 30th. He’s only doing this in a few spots around the world, so this performance is a must-see.
It’s hard for me to express how much I love The Black Angels. I first heard them when I downloaded a music compilation that contained their song “Doves.” It was my gateway drug to the psychedelic music renaissance that was going on without my knowledge. I’ve seen them five times since (Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, twice at Levitation Austin) and will see them any chance I get.
They curate the Levitation festival, so they always play the main stage. I will stand in the thunderstorms that might come on April 30th in Austin if I must to see them again.
Keep your mind open.
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