Levitation Interviews: Babe Rainbow

“There’s no formula for happiness that’s guaranteed to work”, sings Angus Dowling on the opening line from “Open Up Your Heart,” the latest release from Babe Rainbow. “It all depends on how you treat your friends, and how much you’ve been hurt. But its a start, you open up your heart, and try not to hide what you feel inside.” Throughout the new album, The Organic Band sets a strong tone of acceptance, respect, and speaking truth to love. Gone are the blase, stoner surf-pop days which so often tends to lead to apathy and negative connotations from a judgmental listening community. Babe Rainbow is taking up the reigns to make a statement and cultivate positive energy in all forms. Read more

Austin’s Marry Cherry Share New Video

Austin’s got a history of some read psychedelic sounds, from the 13th Floor Elevators to the Black Angels, and it looks like Marry Cherry are aiming to take back into the darkness from whence it came. Their latest single is this heavy video of live footage, edited by Andy Ray Lemon with some crazy visuals to melt your brain. Their sound is definitely on the heavier side of the genre, playing more with these horror riffs that tower over you as the vocals take on that cavernous howl from beneath the foggy mixture. This is the band’s debut single, so be on the lookout as their sure to be making waves with this brand of noisy psych.

Rocker From Strange Cages

As you probably know by now, I am frequently looking for solid rock n roll, fast paced music in a sea of what seems like nothing but slow burner music. Today my friends in Brighton based Strange Cages have this new song entitled “False Prophet Death Waltz” that is fulfilling my rock needs. This song doesn’t mess around as it kicks things off from the moment you hit play with a swirling lead guitar, banging drums and a screeching vocal delivery. Imagine if QOTSA had a more 60s psych rock sound.

Strange Cages will release new EP Silver Queen in September via Vallance Records.

Heavy New Single/Video From Mute Swan

The shoegaze and post-punk genre is pretty saturated in our music scene right now, so it’s nice when you find a band who do it right or add something new. Tucson based Mute Swan do exactly that with this new track and video called “Enough Fun”. It’s super washed out with an insane amount of heaviness and crazy guitar reverb. It’s like Colourmusic meets Clap Your Hands. Ya dig.

Mute Swan currently have this single available for purchase on a Lathe Cut 7″ single.

More From Hearty Har

Right around a month ago a band called Hearty Har from L.A. hit me up with some songs they were looking to get out into the world. Well, now song number two entitled “Radio Man ’56” is ready for your ever awaiting ears. This one is a great blend of Bowie style, mid-70s themed psych pop music. I’m also once again impressed with the tightness of the band and the overall quality of the performance. Well done once again.

Some Psych Rock From Pretty Lightning

As some of us continue to say that guitar driven rock is a dying thing, I dare you to check out this new one called “Willow Valley Blues” from German based duo Pretty Lightning. With a psych rock theme, one will immediately notice the heavy guitars, wailing organ, tight drums, and majorly distorted vocals. Guitars are alive and well my friends!

Pretty Lightning will release The Rhythms of Ooze on November 10th via Fuzz Club.

You’ve Got To Hear This Doll Baby Song

In the never ending quest to find something new and unique, it can sometimes become more painful than it should be. But then, hold the phone, a song like “Alive” from Richmond based Doll Baby and everything comes together. It’s a little bit of slower psych rock to start out, but wait for it, the song explodes about midway through and turns in to this slasher ready punk rock song. The vocal delivery from Julie Storey is about as good as it gets. For real.

Doll Baby have a new EP entitled Hell Block EP due out on October 13th via EggHunt Records.

You Need to Check out Hearty Har

Maybe stop what you’re doing right now and check out this hot new track “Creation Frustration” from L.A. based band Hearty Har. It’s like if MGMT, Portugal the Man., and you’re favorite weird psych band all got together and made babies. You cant deny the band has one hell of a lot of energy and sound like one of the tightest groups I’ve heard in a while. Carry on.

Stay tuned for more from Hearty Har in the future.

Smooth Jam From Dustin Lovelis

My man Dustin Lovelis is killing it today with his slick and bright new single “Tompkinsville”. The track, in a short amount of time, mixes elements of slacker rock and psych rock while throwing in a bit of brightness to keep things feeling light. The Long Beach based songwriter will surely impress you on this hot ass Tuesday.

Lovelis will release Been Hit Before on August 25th via Porch Party Records.

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Another One From BIRDS

Less than a month ago I shared a tasty new rock n roll track from Brooklyn based BIRDS and I’m excited to bring you another new song from the group today. This new one called “Scatter” treats us yet again to some straight up rock music with a bit of fuzz and psych elements to boot. It’s time for you to get this band on your radar if you haven’t done so already.

BIRDS will release debut album Everything All At Once on August 18th via Greenway Records (pre-order).

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