Category Archives: psychedelic

Heez ‘Dancing’

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Born in Mexico City, 22 year old Heez grew up in Dallas, Texas and now resides in Downtown Los Angeles. The first story he wants to tell is about codependency and having such a strong connection with someone that both identities begin to blur into one. He achieves this through his debut single ‘Dancing’. Heez embarked on this musical journey from his Los Angeles dorm room while studying music industry at the University of Southern California, finding inspiration from his past heartbreaks.
 ‘Dancing’ was released earlier this year. Its a catchy flex wave track with a snappy beat interweaving electronics glazed in shadowy melancholy tones. The heavy hearted vocals add emotion to the track while the rap adds rhythm and gives an edge. The track is richly textured and portrays Heez’ lyrics poetically while holding a grit and darkened atmosphere. The quick synth stabs give the track an elastic bendable quality while providing a strong sharp whack beat that has a trance effect. ‘Dancing’ presents us with an airy hazy vibe you can loose yourself in while maintaining a bite and grit that gives this track substance and attitude.
Stream ‘Dancing’ below

Fauna Twin ‘Water on Mars’

Fauna Twin are Parisian singer-songwriter Claire Jacquemard Ginsberg (leader of Hippies Vs Ghosts) and North Wales’ Owain Ginsberg (We Are Animal). The duo have recently signed to Crammed Discs Records and they released their new single ‘Water on Mars’ taken from their debut ‘The HYDRA EP’, which will be released in October followed by a string of shows around Europe.
‘Water on Mars’ is a dark intoxicating swirling concoction of alternative synth pop. The track lures you into its bewitching atmosphere from the very start with meandering instrumentation that draws you into a psychedelic labyrinth of complexity and confusion while enticing and coaxing you into its rich interweaving textures. Jacquemard’s vocals are haunting and gently coo and soothe the listener while giving a mysterious eerie tone to the track. The guitar adds grit and gives that final pull, drawing the listener in and trapping them in an enthralling brooding atmosphere. The track is coated in mesmerising rhythm and shadowy hints of tribal beats that give this track a fantastic bounce and multi texture.
Put ‘Water on Mars’ on repeat and let yourself become consumed and enraptured by this fantastic dark enchanting track.
Watch ‘Water on Mars’ below

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Ten Fé

London band Ten Fé consist of duo of Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan. We did a feature on their dreamy 80s inspired love song ‘Elodie’ earlier this year. Both their tracks ‘Elodie’ and ‘In The Air’ reached No. 2 in Hype Machine’s most popular chart and accumulated 4 million Spotify streams, whilst their debut single ‘Make Me Better’ was remixed by electronic music legend UNKLE. Ten Fé have just released their new single ‘Turn’ and we have chosen it as our worth a listen track this week. The duo weave and infuse a blissful blend of lazy mellow Americana with mists of delicate psychedelia. With sweeping compelling electronics that add a hazy opaque melancholy atmosphere to the track. The velvety smooth vocals add a tender softness to the track with lush supple harmonies that are oh so sweet and creamy adding a dainty elegance. The psychedelic guitar adds subtle sharpness and gives a sorrowful daydream effect. Ten Fé showcase their ability to show raw emotion in a gentle and compassionate manner. Another fantastic track from the duo, look forward to more and hopefully an Irish show soon.
Stream ‘Turn’ below

ROOD ‘Obsessed’

Yorkshire based five-piece ROOD are an Alternative Rock band formed in 2015. The band consists of Tom Hale (vocals, guitar), Joe Castle (guitar, vocals), Liam Butterfield (bass, vocals) Elliot Mann (drums) and Jack Miszewski (keys, percussion).
ROOD have released their debut single ‘Obsessed’. Its a deep edgy track churning with dark murky tones encased in layers of sultry driven guitars and muggy keys. The heavy bass and punchy solid kick of the drums adds a thick chunky weight to the track. The vocals brood and sulk for the verse and become animated for the chorus with lush harmonies in backing vocals that seem to “coo” and lament. The guitars become more dynamic and psychedelic and electrifying as they break the sticky tension with an invigorating and shredding solo.
A fantastic debut from ROOD looking forward to hearing more.
You can catch ROOD live Saturday 3rd September, The Polish Club, Barnsley.
Stream ‘Obsessed’ below

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Brahma-Loka

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Brahma-Loka are a rock band from Mossley. The band consists of members Patrick Neville (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Will Owen (Guitar), Josh Leach (Bass/Backing Vocals) and Ryan Prescott (Drums). 2015 saw the band release their debut EP and tour the full length of Mainland Europe and the UK. They are currently working on tracks marked for release later this year. We have chosen their new single ‘Noble Savage’ to be our worth a listen track this week.
‘Noble Savage’ has already had heavy radio play from BBC Introducing Manchester and has been featured on Phil Taggert’s BBC Radio 1 show. The single was produced by Bill Ryder-Jones and is set for release on September 5th. Its a short slap in the face mind-blowing track with smooth sensual tones. The vocals are deep and dark for the verse adding a mysterious dangerously luring quality to the track while the contrasting backing vocals are higher in pitch adding a sweeter quality that is both effective and innovative. Neville’s  vocals become velvety, brimming with a swagger and confidence that is captivating. We are blasted from the start with punchy beats and fantastic crunching guitars that become more intense and dynamic as the song progresses. ‘Noble Savage’ is staggeringly intoxicating as Brahma-Loka coax you with every note and lead you down their eerie psychedelic-rock rabbit hole of seduction and obscurity. The flexible bass gives this track a funky dance quality that persuades the listener to dance and indulge in their magnetic and bewitching sound.
A fantastic catchy track from Brahma-Loka look forward to hearing more.
Watch the video for ‘Noble Savage’ below

Val Cale ‘Two People In The Dark’

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Val Cale are a Garage Blues band from Leeds. The band consists of members Tom Lister (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar), Henry Smith (Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals), Shafiq Dufrene (Bass Guitar / Keys / Backing Vocals) and Sam Hamer (Drums / Backing Vocals). The band has quickly made progress through the Leeds city gig scene, and is gaining a reputation for enthralling, atmospheric and groovy live performances. They claim their music is “capable of reducing the listeners mind to the creamy texture of a head of stout” and they are absolutely right.
‘Two People In The Dark’ gives us a taste of what we can expect from their upcoming debut EP ‘Blackstuff’ which is set for release this September. Its a deep dark swirling concoction of gritty blues and rock with a dash of psychedelia. ‘Two People In The Dark’ introduces itself with a massive attention grabbing dirty blues riff. The track becomes more sensual and luring with an elastic bass that adds an enticing lustful quality and burning desire feel to the track. While Lister’s vocals are raspy and emotion filled adding to the longing tone. The drums keep a flexible tempting beat that teases the listener as we wait for the massive crescendo. The shredding guitar solo adds that touch of psychedelia as it screeches with powerful distortion and is performed with slick proficient and nimble skill.
‘Two People In The Dark’ shows Val Cale’s skillful musicianship, looking forward to their EP.
These guys are ones to watch.
Stream ‘Two People In The Dark’ below

Fighting Caravans ‘Blue Heart Motel’

 

Fighting Caravans are an alternative rock band from Leeds. Band members Daniel Clark (Lead Vocals), Roff James (Guitar), Cinnamon Lees (Bass), Ali Fletcher (Guitar) and Joshua Hagzenberg (Drums) released their debut EP ‘Beasts Of England’ in 2015, which was promoted alongside a UK and EU tour, earning strong local and international acclaim. The quintet have already played at Live At Leeds, Liverpool Sound City and Tramlines and they will start work on their second EP in the autumn, alongside additional tours of the UK and Europe in association with Sofar Sounds.
Fighting Caravans released a new single ‘Blue Heart Motel’ earlier this year. Its is a dark mysterious track to start with deep eerie vocals and ghostly backing vocals. The drums are steady and give a “marching of the dead” feel. The track becomes more funky with elastic bluesy bass and smooth sensual guitars. The song builds into a psychedelic trip with screeching guitars and dynamic haunting vocals that create an aching longing atmosphere. The spiralling narcotic effect builds for the crescendo creating an intoxicated confused atmosphere with a shredding guitar solo. The intense vocals teamed with the ghostly backing vocals that echo and wail will give you goosebumps. ‘Blue Heart Motel’ is an eerie haunting psychedelic trip hybridised with gritty rock and embroidered with funky bluesy elements.
You can catch Fighting Caravans live at:
Aug 26 Leeds Festival Leeds, United Kingdom
Aug 28 Reading Festival,Reading, United Kingdom
Sep 06 Bar Bloc, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Sep 07 Secret Show, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Sep 09 Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading, United Kingdom
Sep 10 Brudenell Social Club (Games Room),Headingley, United Kingdom
Sep 11 Blues Bar, Harrogate, United Kingdom
Sep 23 The Magnet, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Sep 24 The Underground, Bradford, United Kingdom
Sep 28 Dog & Parrot, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Sep 30 FAC251 Manchester, United Kingdom
Oct 01 The Rocking Chair, Sheffield, Uk
Oct 14 Cafe De Speeltuin,Breda, Netherlands
Oct 15 Huize Spoorloos, Emmen, Netherlands
Oct 16 Secret Show, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
Oct 17 The Waterhole Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oct 18 Dorett Bar,Mainz, Germany
Oct 20 Secret Show, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
Oct 21 Subway to Peter, Chemnitz, Germany
Oct 24 Roxy, Prague, Czech Republic
Stream ‘Blue Heart Motel’ below

Edgar Duke ‘You And I’

Edgar Duke are a psychedelic-funk rock band from Leeds. The band consist of members Tom O’Reily (lead guitar and vocals), James Raymond (drums) and Luke Strange (bass). Their slick bluesy track ‘You And I’ caught our attention this week. Its a confident funky track oozing swagger and strut quality. Edgar Duke pull in a variety of styles and sounds creating their own blend of seductive smooth tones that spark fiery steamy 70s suave while maintaining cool and indifferent. The sharp sting of the guitar keeps the track fresh and adds an edge and zest, while the elastic bass gives that hip swaying flirtatious effect. The rapid beat is smooth and keeps the track spirited and light while adding a brawn and muscle. The track is catchy and with dynamic vocals is a fantastic listen. Keep an eye out for Edgar Duke. ‘You And I’ shows these guys have great potential.
Stream ‘You And I’ below

Mucklo ‘Double Dealing’

Hailing from Frankfort, Indiana, the man behind Mucklo, Michael J. Hall, started writing music at a young age. In High School, Michael played many punk rock shows as the guitarist and vocalist for a progressive, genre-clashing four piece psych rock band called, Split Lips and Lemons. After departing from Split Lips and Lemons, Michael began meeting a lot of phenomenal local musicians and commenced to playing bass for both an original blues rock band, The Down Low Kickers, and a Grateful Dead cover band, The Graciously Departed (formally known as Band And Dave). Hall has taken his experience and has been perfecting the lyrics and sound of the project he now calls Mucklo. The name Mucklo stems from a bolt-making artist who worked out of the same local factory Hall and his family worked at for a time. Hall fully composes, writes and produces his music. He has a passion for home recording and a knack for instruments, Hall can play the guitar, mandolin, drums, harmonica and autoharp, to name a few.
Mucklo released the track ‘Double Dealing’ earlier this year. It is an alluring and enticing song with entrancing shadowy tones that lure you into the darkest depths of the track. Mucklo traps you in this intoxicating atmosphere while seducing you with his bass- driven bobbing groove. The track develops into a sticky gooey head bopping trip with bouncy guitars and a soft pop punch beat. The shredding guitar solo freshes up the track and adds to the psychedelic trip while the vocals are dismal and draw the listener in giving a narcotic hypnotic effect that is eerie yet soothing.
Stream ‘Double Dealing’ below

The Only Ocean ‘CUL-DE-SAC’

Lompoc, California born four-piece, The Only Ocean, bring a fresh new edge to indie rock. Band members Wesley Hill (Vocals, Guitar), Dustin Whalen (Guitar), Alex Burdess (Bass) and Shae Kakos-(Drums) are childhood friends who have pulled together a wide range of sub-genres from Psych-Pop and Post-Punk to Acid Rock to create their unique sound.
‘CUL-DE-SAC’ is the first single off  their soon to be released EP, ‘TOO’ which was produced by Graham Ginsburg and Rick Mabery of The Barn Music Studio, and Jonathan DeBaun (The Mars Volta, Le Butcherettes, Antemasque). The track begins with a dark aggressive tone blasting us with heavy flashing vigorous guitars and a psychedelic delirious vibe. The verse cools things down with light beats and cool sedated vocals. The track is drenched in reverb adding to the psychedelic vibe. With swirling melodies that hypnotise and pull you into the intensity of the track teamed with cynical snarky lyrics that adequately portray that this track is an “anthem for anyone who has ever tasted the sweet angst in desolation”. The churning surge of instrumentation is enticing and leads the listener into the acid trip explosive crescendo.
‘CUL-DE-SAC’ is a well written and crafted track full of dark tones and confusing mystery that is perfectly conveyed through a blend of Psych/Acid Rock.
Stream ‘CUL-DE-SAC’ below