Levitation Austin artist spotlight: The Arcs

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The Arcs are the psychedelic, two drummer-having side project of The Black Keys‘ Dan Auerbach.  Their new album, Yours, Dreamily, will be freshly out by the time Levitation Austin gets here, so I’ll be hearing the material on April 29th while it’s still fresh and unknown to most.  I like what I’ve heard so far and I’m happy that Auerbach is taking his blues guitar into the land of psychedelia.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Federale

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You can call Federale a supergroup, really.  Consisting of members of SpindriftThe Black Angels, and the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Federale makes spaghetti western psychedelic rock best suited for obscure European films of the late 1960’s.  Seeing them under Levitation Austin’s Levitation Tent in the Austin, Texas sun on April 29th seems like a can’t-miss show.  I love spaghetti westerns so I’m sure I’ll love their set.

Keep your mind open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm-6WyHBQC8

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Levitation Austin spotlight: Indrajit Banerjee & Gourisankar

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Masters of classical Indian music Indraji Banerjee (sitar) and Gourisankar (tabla) will open the Reverberation Stage at Levitation Austin on April 29th.  I love traditional Indian ragas and music, and I’m excited to have the chance to hear these two masters of the craft.  It will be a good spiritual way to start the festival.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: Amerikan Bear

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Hailing from California, Amerikan Bear are masters of the psychedelic 1960’s California sound.  I discovered these groovy cats when they discovered me by following me on Twitter.  I was soon hooked on their cool mix of psychedelia, rock, and blues.  They’re opening the Elevation Amphitheater at Levitation Austin on April 29th, so they’ll be the first band I see.  It should be a good start to the festival.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin spotlight: Night Beats

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I will see Seattle, Washington’s Night Beats any chance I get, so I was happy to see the Empire Garage main stage on April 28th at the Levitation Austin kick-off show there.

I just saw them at Levitation Chicago, and their set was in the top three I saw there.  They get better every time I see them and they’re at the top of their game right now.  See them before they take off on their tour of the UK.  If you’re in the UK, don’t miss them.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: The Golden Dawn

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The Golden Dawn are one of those legendary bands who put out one great record and then disappeared.  They formed in Austin, Texas around the same time as The 13th Floor Elevators and released their lone record, The Power Plantbefore breaking up in 1968.  Everything I’ve heard off The Power Plant is great, with a heavier edge than 13th Floor Elevators material.  I missed these guys at Levitation Austin in 2014, so I’m keen to see them at the Thursday night pre-festival kick-off party at Empire Garage.

Keep your mind open.

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North Coast Music Festival first line-up announced for 2016.

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Chicago’s North Coast Music Festival has announced its first performers for 2016.  The festival specializes in EDM, but it branching out this year into psychedelic and electro music.  Bassnectar always brings a big crowd, but don’t miss The Claypool Lennon Delirium or Sleigh Bells either.    I’m keen on seeing the full line-up in a couple months.

Keep your mind open.

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Outside Lands 2016 festival line-up announced.

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San Francisco’s Outside Lands music festival has released its line-up, and it’s a good one.  RadioheadLCD SoundsystemThe Claypool Lennon DeliriumAir, and many more great acts will be there.

Located in Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands offers art, music, comedy, locally crafted beer, and “gastromagic.”  It looks to be a wild time, so don’t miss it if you’re out west.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin artist spotlight: The Blind Owls

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The Blind Owls are a four-piece rock act from Corpus Christi, Texas with obvious Beatles, rockabilly, Buddy Holly, and mod-rock influences, but they certainly aren’t derivative.  These four have put in their time to develop their chops and can lay down a serious groove.  They’re opening the Empire Garage stage at the Thursday night pre-festival kick-off party there.  Come by and get your groove on with these cool cats.

Keep your mind open.

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Levitation Austin releases set times and Thursday night line-up.

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Levitation Austin has released its schedule of Thursday night pre-festival shows in downtown Austin and its daily festival schedule as well.  I’m happy to see Night Beats playing again, and I’ve already found a couple bands added to the full festival I’d like to see.

The Friday schedule is insane.  I’m going to miss a few bands I’d like to see and have to make some tough decisions.  The set times are better for my “must-see” lists on Saturday and Sunday, however.

See you there.  Keep your mind open.