5 Bands to Check out at Austin Psych Fest 2014

Hey Allstonians! It’s almost that time of year that we spend all year looking forward to. No, not Allston Xmas, but SUMMER and what better way to welcome in Summer than with a festival. May 2nd through May 4th head down to Austin, Texas for 7th annual Austin Psych Fest. The three day festival is set on Carson Creek Ranch on the edge of Austin and features bands such as Shannon and the Clams, Quilt, Black Lips, The Dandy Warhols, The Black Angels and a ton more. One of these acts is Santa Cruz, Callifornia’s Sleepy Sun, coming off the January release of Maui Tears. It’s their fourth LP, and showcases the diversity of their sound with catchy, psych-tinged tracks, softer, dreamier cuts, and some of the band’s heaviest material to date.

If you need more incentive than these dope bands, sun, heat and the chance to live your life’s dream and finally track down Tim Riggins… no, just me? Check out this ridiculously full lineup and get your PSYCHed asses down to TEXAS. You might just see us there… pretending to do yoga or whatever you do on a ranch in Texas. See you then!

This being a blog based out of Allston, the chances of you being in Austin this weekend are probably slim, but in the off chance you have made the pilgrimage or want to be there in spirit, here are 5 bands that you shouldn’t miss out on.

MOON DUO – Wooden Shjips’ guitarist Ripley Johnson’s collaboration with Sanae Yamada has resulted in a modern psych wonderland. Not too out there, and anything but boring, the duo shares a resemblance to another duo in The Kills. And as much as I love The Kills and messy, loud anthems, Moon duo shows that duos can make complicated and interesting music with just two souls. Their video for Sleepwalker feature’s fellow weirdo King Khan and can give you a taste of their eccentric minds as well as their own special brand of smokey, fadeout vocals paired with strong guitar. And we can’t forget the psychedelic madness the guitar solos bring us. Check out their album, “Circles,” you won’t be disappointed and don’t miss their set Saturday, May 3rd.

PERHAPS – Local experimental dudes, Perhaps are coming off the release of their third album Kamikaze and a tour alongside Acid Mothers Temple. Jim Haney and co. demonstrate a dope way of integrating rock, psych, string, jazz, sounding a little like space rock, or what I would assume they listen to in space, but who the hell knows. Earmilk described their set as “unpredictable, and perhaps a bit unstable in the best way,” and “it is an organic plethora of mind shadows that did not need substances to be created.” Having never seen the word “plethora” used in a set review, I can barely keep my excitement for their Saturday set in Austin. And don’t fret if you can’t catch ‘em in Austin, the guys are set to play the Middle East May 23rd.

AVEY TARE’S SLASHER FLICKS – Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks is actually everything and nothing like you would expect. Obviously Animal Collective’s Tare’s new side project, but different than his other projects, Slasher Flicks showcases Tare’s softer side. And creepier side if you check out the band’s website. The collaboration with Dirty Projectors past member, Angel Deradoorian, and Ponytail’s drummer, Jeremy Hyman, the newly released album features singles like Little Fang and Strange Colores. Both of which are pop encased, catchy sides of Tare, as well as a lot of creepy static making this year’s release, Enter the Slasher House the perfect backdrop to your next Halloween party or just a Tuesday night. Catch their Austin set on Saturday, and check their album, NOW.

MIRROR TRAVEL – Austin natives and previously named Follow That Bird, Mirror Travel is a new band you’ll want to see. They’ve opened for Bill Callahan and … And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead and just released their debut album, Mexico. While they might sound a bit like they play in the background at urban outfitters and their album is streaming on NYLON, the band’s scuzzy garage pop is worth a listen from their seamless interweaving of reverb, dreamy vocals and vibrating guitar riffs.

DESTRUCTION UNIT – Destruction Unit. Destruction Unit. Destruction Unit. If you don’t know about them, may a higher power bless your soul. Being around for about ten years and having recorded their first two albums with Jay Reatard as a member in the mid 2000s, Destruction Unit is the ultimate punk, psych, feedback packed band. Check out their 2013 release Deep Trip and enjoy the…trip?

Psyched for PsychFest yet?