Essential Forever’s Al Heaney recently packed up his turtlenecks and Peter Asher glasses and made the big move from the mellow Midwest to the lights of Los Angeles, where the former film student turned crooner just surprise-debuted a new single sparkling with Hollyweird dramatics. Released on Bandcamp “in the wee small hours of the morning” (to quote another beloved crooner), “Knew It Was the First Time” rotates in a candy-colored Roy Orbison orbit through a Milky Way of tape distortion, haunted by the specter of Phil Spector. Heaney croons about the power of love and crunches numbers like a possessed ’60s accountant in what he so poetically calls “the arithmetic…
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The Akashic Field Is a Mystical Heavy Psych Folk Trance From Lamp Of The Universe
Lamp Of The Universe has mixed heavy psych and acid folk together for a unique sound that transports the listener into another state of consciousness.
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Stewing on and Swooning Over John Myrtle’s “Myrtle Soup”
2021 may finally, blissfully be in the rearview, but there were a few delectable albums whose sizzle we missed amidst the pandemic madness that deserve a spot amongst your 2022 spins, and cheeky Brit John Myrtle’s Myrtle Soup (with vinyl album release set for January 28) is this chef’s choice of the day. John Myrtle crafts songs that simmer with the earnestness and innocence of the early Fab Four but delivers them straight from his London bedroom (or kitchen?) with a knowing modern wink at the sheer absurdity of bursting into song about matters of the heart. On songs like “How Can You Tell If You Love Her” he tackles…
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Mystery Flavors Are San Francisco Folk Rock
Mystery Flavors The Mystery Flavors self titled album released on January 7th 2022. The band is from San Francisco making original music that draws from the rich musical traditions of the city. Their lighthearted music draws inspiration from The Grateful Dead and The Byrds with beautiful harmonies and earthy folk stylings. This is their first full-length album with a collection of songs packed with dreamy harmonies, smooth production and a variety of instruments. Their enchanting style is more than just a revival of the classic west coast folk rock and sunshine pop sound; it also integrates modern folk. The album is dedicated to the Northern California coastal lifestyle with titles…
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THE 2021 FREAKOUT FESTIVAL at Ballard, Washington
For four days over the weekend of Thursday the 11th through Sunday the 13th of November 2021, the Freakout Festival rocked downtown Ballard, Washington. Multiple venues featured live Psych, Garage, Underground, Rap, Indie, Latin and other music variations from 6 PM to 1 AM.
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Loop Sonancy
Loop Sonancy “My motto has always been ‘Forward’ and I always try to do something new with each record. I always try to push different influences in there. Specifically for this record, I wanted to counter the idea of the ‘Array’ EP, on which all the tracks were longer and drawn out. They still had the motorik element of bands like Neu! and CAN, but LOOP’s always had that. With ‘Sonancy’ I also wanted to take a post-punk sound, spin it on its head and mix it with a psych influence. A total gumbo. Which has always been LOOP, this mash up of spicy rhythms.” -Robert Hampson (Loop) Loop of…
