7th Level Music

Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Amerikan Bear

Hailing from California, Amerikan Bear are masters of the psychedelic 1960’s California sound. I discovered these groovy cats when they discovered me by following me on Twitter. I was soon hooked on their cool mix of psychedelia, rock, and blues. They’re opening the Elevation Amphitheater at Levitation Austin on April 29th, so they’ll be the first band I see. It should be a good start to the festival.

Keep your mind open.

[We can’t bear the thought of you not subscribing to us. Drop us your e-mail address before you go.]

Levitation Austin spotlight: Night Beats

I will see Seattle, Washington’s Night Beats any chance I get, so I was happy to see the Empire Garage main stage on April 28th at the Levitation Austin kick-off show there.

I just saw them at Levitation Chicago, and their set was in the top three I saw there. They get better every time I see them and they’re at the top of their game right now. See them before they take off on their tour of the UK. If you’re in the UK, don’t miss them.

Keep your mind open.

[Don’t miss your chance to subscribe to us. Drop your e-mail address in the box to your left.]

Levitation Austin artist spotlight: The Golden Dawn

The Golden Dawn are one of those legendary bands who put out one great record and then disappeared. They formed in Austin, Texas around the same time as The 13th Floor Elevators and released their lone record, The Power Plant, before breaking up in 1968. Everything I’ve heard off The Power Plant is great, with a heavier edge than 13th Floor Elevators material. I missed these guys at Levitation Austin in 2014, so I’m keen to see them at the Thursday night pre-festival kick-off party at Empire Garage.

Keep your mind open.

[You know what would be golden? Subscribing to us, that’s what. Why not, huh?]

North Coast Music Festival first line-up announced for 2016.

Chicago’s North Coast Music Festival has announced its first performers for 2016. The festival specializes in EDM, but it branching out this year into psychedelic and electro music. Bassnectar always brings a big crowd, but don’t miss The Claypool Lennon Delirium or Sleigh Bells either. I’m keen on seeing the full line-up in a couple months.

Keep your mind open.

[You could be the bee’s knees by subscribing to us. Drop your e-mail address in the box to your left.]

Outside Lands 2016 festival line-up announced.

San Francisco’s Outside Lands music festival has released its line-up, and it’s a good one. Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Air, and many more great acts will be there.

Located in Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands offers art, music, comedy, locally crafted beer, and “gastromagic.” It looks to be a wild time, so don’t miss it if you’re out west.

Keep your mind open.

[Don’t be an outsider. Subscribe to us.]

Levitation Austin artist spotlight: The Blind Owls

The Blind Owls are a four-piece rock act from Corpus Christi, Texas with obvious Beatles, rockabilly, Buddy Holly, and mod-rock influences, but they certainly aren’t derivative. These four have put in their time to develop their chops and can lay down a serious groove. They’re opening the Empire Garage stage at the Thursday night pre-festival kick-off party there. Come by and get your groove on with these cool cats.

Keep your mind open.

[Don’t be blind to the idea of subscribing to us.]

Wrecka Stow Day 2016 event list now available.

Don’t forget that Record Store Day is April 16th. Don’t forget to visit your local wrecka stow and show them your support. There are always prime releases on Record Store Day from hundreds of artists, and many places have live performances to boot.

The list of wrecka stows hosting live events on the 16th is now available at the RSD website and will surely be updated as the date grows closer. Don’t miss the chance to see some good gigs and score great stuff for your collection.

There’s plenty of stuff I’d like to snag: the Bee Gees / Faith No More 7″ single. a double Buzzcocks album, two classic Johnny Cash records, a Dark Shadows TV film score re-release, a Flaming Lips CD I haven’t heard before, a Buddy Guy / Junior Wells re-release, a live James Brown double album re-release, new stuff from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, a Daft Punk remix of a Junior Kimbrough song, a psychedelic samba record, a live double Ravi Shankar LP, a cover of “John the Revelator” by The Sword on 7″ vinyl, a new Rhino Records psychedelic rock compilation, another psychedelic compilation (from the UK), a compilation of Cambodian 1960’s rock, a live Muddy Waters record, an Italian horror film soundtrack by Goblin, two Japanese garage / psychedelic rock compilations, and a Stooges re-release.

Keep your mind open.

Levitation Austin releases set times and Thursday night line-up.

Levitation Austin has released its schedule of Thursday night pre-festival shows in downtown Austin and its daily festival schedule as well. I’m happy to see Night Beats playing again, and I’ve already found a couple bands added to the full festival I’d like to see.

The Friday schedule is insane. I’m going to miss a few bands I’d like to see and have to make some tough decisions. The set times are better for my “must-see” lists on Saturday and Sunday, however.

See you there. Keep your mind open.

Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Nicolas Jaar

Chilean-born and NYC-based composer and electronic music maker Nicolas Jaar will be performing at Levitation Austin on April 29th. Mr. Jaar produces spacey, dreamy electronic music that mixes jazz touches, Euro lounge, and South American flair. I think it will be an interesting set.

Keep your mind open.

[Wait, don’t forget to subscribe to us before you leave.]

Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Imarhan

Tuareg musicians Imarhan are the latest band of fine musicians from Algeria who blend traditional music with rock guitars.

Levitation Austin always brings in at least one Tuareg band every year. The wide variety of bands form around the world I probably wouldn’t be able to see otherwise is one of the things I love most about the festival. Imarhan’s first single tore up BBC 6 Music radio and I eagerly await their set in Austin.

Keep your mind open.

[Be at peace by subscribing to our e-mail list. You won’t have to worry about missing the latest post.]