More of Unknown Psychists

The annual official APF Al Lover mixtape will do a better job than me - but unfortunately, not yet downloadable. Whyyy???




Okay, let's 'finish' (?) the work started in previous 2014 Psych Fest Big Names, Stuff For Me, and Unknowns I posts. This shall be: Unknowns II... I'm sure I still haven't covered some.



"30 Past 7" by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, from Float Along - Fill Your Lungs (2013)

'Stralia! Well, in one post we've gone from unorthodox Psych Fest participants to perhaps a prototypical one. Nice selection scheme by me! Here's another official video: "Head On/Pill" and their Bandcamp-ish page.



"Lucifernandis " by Boogarins, from As Plantas Que Curam (2013)

I've generally liked the modern psych rock coming out of South America, and this sounds to me good & hippie. Here's another official video: "Despreocupar."



"These Days" by Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, from On Welfare (2011)

Guadalajara, Mex. Just like Has A Shadow, but different music. Here's another official (?) video: "What's Holding You?" Little more rockin' one there... and their Bandcamp.



"No Place to Go" by The Oscillation, from From Tomorrow (2013)

I have a feeling I might be going to catch this band. Check out their YouTube channel for more official videos, going back a full 6 years! (TAFKA The Orichalc Phase). Waitasecond! I'd actually heard this one song before: "Saturn 5" (live). Here's their Bandcamp as well.



"Trouba" by Steve Gunn, from On A Steady Diet of Hash, Bread, and Salt compilation (2012)

That's from a free download comp of Greek folk covers. I've seen this guy's name around some, and would have associated it with free-/freak-folk - so far, so good! Bandcamp's are mostly from various labels: Paradise of Bachelors, Three Lobed Recordings, and 3-Lobed again.



"Lithonia " by Circuit des Yeux, from Overdue (2013)

Indiana, huh? I've lived there! Here's their Bandcamp. Like all Indiana bands, since I wrote that first sentence, they've now relocated to Chicago.



"Livin' Free" by The Young, from Dub Egg (2012)

Is this the right The Young? That's one ungoogleable band name. Here's another official video: "Dance with the Ramblers." Ah, just noticed they're from Austin, TX. Okay, cool.



"Redness Moon" by Fantasmes, from Redness Moon (2012)

Because of geography, I was going to guess Mexico (again), but they're from Puerto Rico. This does not make me racist! So... here's another official (?) video: "Play It Wrong," and their Bandcamp.



"Zo No Senaka" by Kikagaku Moyo, from Kikagaku Moyo (2013)

[***very NSFW Jodorowsky film video***]

Hey, I guessed Japan correctly!! Bandcamp!

Up In Flames - Manitoba/Caribou (#1, 2003)

All references to Manitoba are explained by this ridiculous lawsuit and the resulting name change. The next couple of Caribou albums (#4, 2007 and the Krauty one) were good & quite different music.

I saw Manitoba on this tour, with many of these videos projected behind the live band. I remember it being great, but I remain frustrated that I cannot remember who the headliner was. I believe all of the official videos are contained on the Marino DVD+EP release (2005).

Also in general, Manitoba/Caribou is/was one individual guy (except live): Ontarian of Canadia Dan Snaith.



"I've Lived on a Dirt Road All My Life" from Up In Flames (2003)

Analogous to a lot of '60s pop, especially Brian Wilson (Teenage Symphonies to God & palette) and Phil Spector (Wall of Sound & drumbreaks). Even the pastoral interludes that would have been experimental nature field recordings way-back-when, but are handled electronically here.

Inserting relevant YouTube comments. I'm gonna skip the endless arguments about the acceptability of applying the Caribou name to these songs... in YouTube comments!

such a great song--and the video makes it look like they are tripping in the 80s?? its boring -otacon451

"Skunks" from Up In Flames (2003)

The first of a few song titles that are animalses. Later there will come "Bees" and "Hammerheads." Splashy cymbals and freak-out saxophone, maybe a bit o' theremin.

PRETTY sure this song is sampling a Bubble Puppy song. ''A gathering of promises'' -AlabamaManWhore

"Hendrix with KO" from Up In Flames (2003)

Bah bah bah... I think I might have had an album by this Koushik guest star - but I don’t remember connecting him with Manitoba.

THEY'RE ALL TRIPPIN' BALLS. -keith0rz

"Jacknuggeted" from Up In Flames (2003)

The song title makes me think of drugs. I can't tell what the whispered vocals remind me of. Something else.

The insturmental chorus sounds like love feels; beautiful synthesesia:) -dvdgrwtz

Then comes brief interlude "Why the Long Face?"



"Bijoux" from Up In Flames (2003)

It's got kind of a marchy martial feel, and with more blaring (but melodic) sax, I'm thinking of Albert Ayler. Well, except for the electro-tinkling breaks. "Bijoux" and other similar nonsense words also get recycled later on.

alucinante! -etnopinkfloyd

"Twins" from Up In Flames (2003)

I don't think I'd noticed that this song is so short. The power of strum.

Dan Snaith is my god. -drearyleary
These guys are incredible. -MightyDragon
terrible -400millionbillion

Here's a pretty cool unofficial fan-video for "Kid You'll Move Mountains." (no comments)



"Crayon" from Up In Flames (2003)

That's a toy piano, right? That's pretty '60s, right? Yeah, the Koushik album I have is Out My Window (2008).

really? to me it was instant but then again i'm more musically evolved then you..... everybody has always said that about us -Humanshieldchorus00

"Every Time She Turns Round It's Her Birthday" from Up In Flames (2003)

And this ties it all together and brings us home. I think the whispering vocals also reminds me of Mercury Rev - Dingus Donahue's, not David Baker's.

I don't wanna kick off any further legal proceedings, but this one could be included in some sound-a-like song-pairs internet listicle - right beside one of my favorite indie-noise-pop hits. Hmmm....

I'm glad I didn't take that LSD before watching this. -BigPapaSmurfy

Genre - Neo-Retro Electro-Indie-Pop
Official - caribou.fm/
Myspace - myspace.com/cariboumanitoba
Location - Dundas, Ontario

Review - Stylus Magazine
Download - Amazon, iTunes (w/ bonus)
Purchase - Amazon

Unknown Psych Festives Explored

Well, we've taken a couple of looks at announced line-up for the 2014 Austin Psych Fest: first the top-billed, and then more of the known quantities. So now, I'm going to try to explore some of the complete unknowns - probably not covering every band named for the fest.



"No. 1 Against The Rush" by Liars, from WIXIW (2012)

"Brooklyn dance-punk"... yeah. Supposedly, that doesn't say it all, but everything I heard was pretty in line with exactly that.



"From the Sun" by Unknown Mortal Orchestra, from II (2013)

What is this? I just... Okay, "So Good at Being in Trouble" is a bit closer, but these seem a bit odd choices for Psych Fest.



"Lamborghini Meltdown" by Tobacco (ft. Zackey Force Funk), from LA UTI (2010)

Hey, I know a little bit. The guy in Tobacco is also from Black Moth Super Rainbow, and has worked with Beck. Although I probably have more sympathy for this experimental maximalism electro-funk, these 'unknowns' are ranging pretty far afield from trad 'psychedelic' music.



"Nous Etions Deux" by La Femme, from Psycho Tropical Berlin (2013)

That's French tropicália coldwave, non?



"Rat House" by Shannon & The Clams, from Dreams in the Rat House (2013)

Garagey weirdos, with an electric jug? Bones Brigade as directed by John Waters? Okay, making more sense...



"Awa Adounia" by Terakaft, from Kel Tamasheq (2012)

Not what I was expecting from the band name. I'm down with this kinda stuff, although I do realize you could make an equally valid argument against its Psychfestivity as I would against, say, Unknown Mortal Orchestra.



"One" by Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, from Uzu (2013)

I'm a little confused. What does it mean to "pay tribute to the extended group's indigenous upbringing?" I'll check out some more of the music before delving into the upbringing of the extended group.



"Sonic Pearl" by Destruction Unit, from Two Strong Hits 7" (2013)

Stonery grungeness, or post-punk gothic?



"Shine Your Light" by Gap Dream, from Shine Your Light (2013)

Sparkly. Now that's exactly what I thought it would sound like, based only on the band name. What do I win?!

Looks like I might have the makings of 2nd 'unknowns' post. This one left me a little... unsatisfied. (Not that I've totally passed judgment anywhere just yet.)

The Word On My Lips Is Your Name -Tape Loop Orchestra (#10, 2012)

Sleepy, sleepy loops of narcotic dreams.


Excerpt from "The Word On My Lips Is Your Name" (2012)

Since there's not much of it floating around, I can only offer this promotional excerpt of the A-side title track. Looks to be some still available at this place. Not bad... 2xCD for £8-- unsure how legit, but looks okay.

I've already got a subsequent previous album vinyl re-release, and I've been digging that too.

The guy in TLO is part of The Boats. I'm just gonna say "England," because I lost interest before I uncovered more relevant details. (This time. Looking below, I do see Burnley, Manchester. Fine.)



The Killer In The Rain (2012), by Tape Loop Orchestra

Looks like TLO also released a '3" CDr limited to 100 copies' last year: The Killer In The Rain. I'd never even heard of it, but that's the whole thing up there. Better than nothing, I guess - which is what's streaming online of TWOMLIYN B-side "The Burnley Brass Band Plays On In My Heart." And I like that piece a bunch.

Genre - Classico-Ambient Tape-Loop Music
Official/tumblr - oursmallideas.tumblr.com/
Location - Burnley, Manchester, UK

Review - Fluid-Radio
Download/Purchase - Ltd. to 400 copies...
Maybe try here.

Campground Tracers, Snailface Four

Why didn't anyone tell me the third Snailface album, IV, was out? They were my #1 Free of 2010, and my #8 Next 10 Metal of 2009.




As usual, this one's Name Your Price as well. At their main band's website, you can check out this explanatory post.

Austin Psych Favorites

Gonna be a lot like the previous APF post yesterday - but this time, it's personal! Some of the involved bands that I'm already super-geared up for...

Once again with a minimum of yakkin'.



"Sonic Prayer Jam" by Earthless, live at Winter's Womb III,
The Casbah, San Diego, CA (01/21/2012)

YES!!! Never seen Earthless before - #3 of 2008, shoulda-been's of 2007, and #3 of 2005. Psyched!

Barn Owl - Turiya from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Wait, I mentioned these drone magicians at the end of the last time, right? O well, we're talking #8 of 2011 and #11 of 2010, and greatness beyond.



"Dream Odyssey" by Mono, from For My Parents (2012)

Occasionally mellow, until they aren't. Mono (#4, 2009 and #5,2006 among others) have been very good to see live (#7 Live, 2009 and #10 Live, 2010).



"Mazes" by Moon Duo, from Mazes (2011)

From year before last, Moon Duo (#11, 2013) were awesome fun (at A.P.F. and #7 Live, 2012).



"To Clean" by Woods, from Songs of Shame (2009)

Woods has been on a 3-album Top 10 tear, and mighta gotten the previous in there somehow: #9 of 2012, #7 of 2011, and #6 of 2010. They were a highlight for me at APF5 (#1 Live, 2012)... and I often forget I discovered them as a terrific opener (#4 Live, 2009).



"H-p1" by White Hills, from H-p1 (2011)

Got to meet some of White Hills (co-#5, 2010) at my first Psych Fest (#4 Live, 2011), which was cool. I'm glad to hear we'll get another shot. They do so much so good - check out their bassist-director's official video channel: Ego Sensation.



"Blue Velvet Blues" by Acid Mothers Temple, from Pataphisical Freak Out MU! (1999)

I keep missing AMT! Must not miss AMT again.



"Ready to Fly" by Aqua Nebula Oscillator, from Aqua Nebula Oscillator (2002)

I've only heard Aqua Nebula Oscillator's 2002 self-titled album. Guess which year is next for a historical 21st-century Top 10 list??



"Entrance Song" [***NSFW video***] by The Black Angels, from Phosphene Dream (2010)

Oops, almost forgot the main hosts! The Black Angels, since #3 of 2006, and... let's say: co-#6 Live Show, 2010.

Might be the last of these for awhile. But if I do another one soon, it will be more exploratory of currently unknown players.

Finally!! Austin Psych Fest 2014

After more than 3 weeks since the initial line-up announcement for Austin Psych Fest (#1 Live Show, 2012 and #4, 2011) was promised "this week," we now have info!

Here's the initial line-up:

Primal Scream - Loop - Black Angels - The Zombies - The Horrors - of Montreal - Black Lips - Liars - Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks - Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Mono - Tobacco - Dead Meadow - Oneohtrix Point Never - Moon Duo - Toy - Woods - La Femme - Jacco Gardner - Earthless - Zombie Zombie - Acid Mothers Temple - Kadaver - The Golden Dawn - Shannon & The Clams - Barn Owl - Terakraft - Yamantaka//Sonic Titan - White Hills - Destruction Unit - Quilt - Joel Gion & The Primary Colors - Gap Dream - King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizzard - Boogarins - Aqua Nebula Oscillator - Lorelle Meets The Obsolete - The Oscillation - Steve Gunn - Circuit des Yeux - The Young - Fantasmes - Kikagaku Moyo

Some returning alumni, some old-time faves, some new faces... What's at the top?



"Loaded" by Primal Scream, from Screamadelica (1991)

From the early-'90s, and since...



"From Centre to Wave" by Loop, from A Gilded Eternity (1990)

From the early-'90s only!! Here's fan video for "Be Here Now" too.



"Time of the Season" by The Zombies, from Odessey And Oracle (1968)

Hits from the actual '60s!

THE HORRORS - MIRROR'S IMAGE from on Vimeo.

From... more recently?? Hopefully you have your tickets already.



"Problem Areas" by Oneohtrix Point Never, from R Plus Seven (2013)

I haven't been listening new OPN since around the #39 of 2010 - but I'll still probably try to go live.



"Join the Dots" by Toy, from Join the Dots (2013)

I think that's the correct Toy (artist).



"Clear the Air" by Jacco Gardner, from Cabinet of Curiosities (2013)

This was the first unknown artist I randomly looked up, and: not too bad...



"The Bank Robbery (Escape from New York)" from Zombie Zombie Plays John Carpenter (2010)

Might not be the Carpenter fest of a few years back, but maybe they'll theme it up proper.



"Creature of the Demon" by Kadaver, from Kadaver (2012)

I'm glad the heaviness is creeping in!



"uᏞuᏒu ᏒᎾᏟᏦ" by ᎬᎪᏒᏆhᏞᎬss, from From the Ages (2013)

I'm only gonna mention a couple of super-pleasant surprises.

#1: EARTHLESS!! (I believe they were one of my answers when asked by Psych Fest on Facebook who we'd like to see.)



"Void Redux" by Barn Owl, from V (2013)

And #2: Barn Owl!! Yusssssss...