Levitation Austin artist spotlight: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

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Australian psych-rockers King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard return to Levitation Austin on May 1st.  My wife and I were lucky enough to see their first performance on U.S. soil at the festival two years ago, and I’m keen to see them again.  Their new album, Nonagon Infinity, is a sizzling rocker that loops on itself from multiple directions.  Hearing it live should be mind-blowing.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Drinking Flowers

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Los Angeles post-punk band Drinking Flowers will bring their cool drone / psychedelic sound to Levitation Austin on May 1st, playing the Levitation Tent that day.  This is another band I hadn’t heard of before they were booked for the festival.  I love discovering new, good bands, and they sound like another one I’ll be obsessed with by the time their set is finished.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Cellar Doors

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This San Francisco psychedelic three-piece Cellar Doors makes haunting, intriguing sounds that hooked me from the first listen.  I hadn’t heard of them until they landed a spot at Levitation Austin, so I’m thankful for their upcoming appearance on May 1st.  They open the Levitation Tent stage, and I’m sure it will be a good start to the day.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Brian Wilson

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A major coup for Levitation Austin this year is landing the legendary Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.  He’ll be performing the landmark classic album Pet Sounds in its entirety for its 50th anniversary on April 30th.  He’s only doing this in a few spots around the world, so this performance is a must-see.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: The Black Angels

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It’s hard for me to express how much I love The Black Angels.  I first heard them when I downloaded a music compilation that contained their song “Doves.”  It was my gateway drug to the psychedelic music renaissance that was going on without my knowledge.  I’ve seen them five times since (Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, twice at Levitation Austin) and will see them any chance I get.

They curate the Levitation festival, so they always play the main stage.  I will stand in the thunderstorms that might come on April 30th in Austin if I must to see them again.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: The Thurston Moore Band

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Another legend I’ll get to see at Levitation Austin is Thurston Moore, formerly of Sonic Youth.  He’s playing April 30th with his new band and everything thing I’ve heard from them so far has this nice dangerous edge to it.  His former bandmate Lee Ranaldo is playing the same day on a different stage after his set, so it’s a double whammy for Sonic Youth fans.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: David J and the Gentlemen Thieves

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David J, former bass player of Bauhaus and co-founder of Love & Rockets, is bring his band, the Gentlemen Thieves, to Levitation Austin on April 30th.  I’m a big fan of Love & Rockets, and this might be the closest I get to any kind of reunion.  David J’s dub-style bass playing was an influence on my brief career as a bass player in high school, and he’s a harmonica player to boot (like yours truly).  I’m stoked to see him live.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: La Mecanica Popular

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Psychedelic salsa?  I’m in.  La Mecanica Popular are playing Levitation Austin‘s Elevation Amphitheater on April 30th, and I’m sure it will be a lively, fun show down by the river.  The band combines hot salsa music with wild, weird psychedelic and Euro/mondo flavors for something you can’t quite pin down but definitely can dance to without trouble.

Keep your mind open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWqIXhs6X_8

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Bayonne

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Austin’s own Roger Sellers, otherwise known as Bayonne, creates great electro dream pop all by himself.  He’s the type of guy who makes me think I could create electro music if I made the time and bought even discounted gear at a pawn shop.  He’s inspiring, and I’m sure his set on April 30th at Levitation Austin will be, too.

Keep your mind open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvxaGn4W14c

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Slowdive

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England’s Slowdive are shoegaze legends who should’ve been bigger over here in the U.S. than they were in their early 1990’s heyday.  They’ve been reunited and touring for a couple years now, which is good news for all of us.  I missed them at Chicago’s Pitchfork Music Festival a couple years ago, but I’m happy to see them at Levitation Austin when they close out the main stage on April 29th.

Keep your mind open.

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