(All photos by Christopher Bruno) Psychedelic Sangha’s Blotter Bath event last Friday night was a spectacle for the mind, body and soul that all in attendance won’t soon forget. While slightly smaller than the recent Bardo Baths that I’ve covered here before, this was a more intimate gathering, with a deeper, heavier focus. Jesse JarnowDr. Erik Davis Ph. D.Bubba AyoubIs the answerMargaret Sabrina, who live painted by the stageArik Moonhawk Roper In the confines of Manhattan’s historic Judson Church, I set up camp with a small, but mighty crew of curious seekers in a far corner under the secon ..read more

The Record Crates United Mixtape 134 Keith Speaks! Earthcaster – Beltane – Beltane Wheel of the Year Vol 3 Daisy Rickman – Sunflowers Of Your Mind – Howl Arianne Churchman & Benedict Drew – Bonny May – May Volume Three Lou Turner – Green and Growing – Microcosmos  Malcolm Benzie – Hawthorne – Folklore Tapes Calendar Customs Box​-​Set Jennifer Gentle – The Garden (Part One) – Valende Steeleye Span – Padstow – Folk Rock Pioneers In Concert David Byrne & Caetano Veloso – [Nothing But] Flowers – Caetano Veloso Live At Carnegie Hall With David Byrne The Watersons – Hal – An – Tow – F ..read more

After 40 years of spearheading a wholly unique sound and a fierce sense of individuality in the indie rock sphere, Antietam has returned with a strong EP that proves without a doubt that the flame of inspiration still burns brightly within these evergreen rockers. Available today through Motorific Sounds, Pitch and Yaw finds the trio of Tim Harris ( bass and vocals), Tara Key (guitars, keys and vocals) and Josh Madell (drums and congas) constructing catchy, raw tunes out of thick melodic walls of stacked overdubs. With fuzzy leads, haunting vocals and undeniably addictive hooks, the songs on t ..read more

*Cover Image by Megan Menzer Named for the star closest to our sun in the constellation of Gemini, “Pollux” is a gentle caress of thrumming zither, trickling mbira and trotting electric guitar. Taken from his upcoming solo album on Centripetal Force, Cygnus A, this is a meditative and dazzling jewel of a track that will leave you feeling grounded and centered by its conclusion. Drew Gardner, of whom you should know from Elkhorn, Jeffrey Alexander & The Heavy Lidders and his Flowers in Space band (and you know, from making contributions to blogs such as this one), performs all of the instr ..read more

If you’re in the NYC area and are planning on venturing out to Judson Church in the Village with us on Friday night for Psychedelic Sangha’s latest iteration of their mind-expanding Bardo Bath events, you will be treated to (among many other wondrous things) the dreamy vibraphone magic of Brooklyn-based composer, Chris Dingman. Known for his distinctive meditations on rich, delicate tones and serene, zen-inducing melodies, Dingman plays with the looseness of a great improviser and a daring adventurer of sound while also maintaining a masterful sense of control. While I may personally be a fan ..read more

Since I forgot to post the last episode to the site, I’ll include it below. Keith Speaks! Color Green – Four Leaf Clover – Fool’s Parade Mu – Ain’t No Blues – s/t  Cindy Lee – Flesh and Blood – Diamond Jubilee Rosali – Whatever Love (live at Tubby’s, 4/10/24, thanks NYCTaper!) Bobby Lee, Jeffrey Silverstein, Joe Harvey-Whyte – Rider – Cosmic Country Revue – Live at PDV 03​/​31​/​23 Can – Aston 77 Vier – LIVE IN ASTON 1977 Caribou – Bees – The Milk of Human Kindness SUSS – Flight – Birds & Beasts Keith Speaks! (2) Fuubutsushi – First Crush (Tenel Ka) – Meridians Harold Land – Choma ..read more

Here’s a playlist for all the eclipse chasers. If you’re not able to view the astral event tomorrow, then I hope you can at least feel the eclipsing vibes through the music that I’ve assembled here: Sun Ra Arkestra – Sky Is a Sea of Darkness / Darkness Alice Coltrane – Journey in Satchidananda (live) G. Wayne Thomas & The Crystal Voyager Band – Red Sun Sea Joe Zawinul – In a Silent Way Julie’s Haircut – Shhh/Peaceful Ghost Funk Orchestra – Infinite Dark Mahavishnu John McLaughlin & Carlos Santana – Flame Sky (live) Nick Millevoi – Moon Pulses 2 DAVi MUSiC – A Spring Ash Ra Tempel – T ..read more

Here’s a selection of great titles that I’ve been enjoying that were either sent to me or have recently graced my Bandcamp feed: Daisy Rickman – Howl Gorgeously psych-tinged Cornish folk dedicated to the sun, the stars and the turning of the wheel of the seasons within and around ourselves? Well, that checks off so many boxes for me. With cellos, bouzouki and sitar mingling with the likes of fiddles, guitar and synthesizers underneath Daisy Rickman’s densely layered vocal harmonies, this is a record with a richly lived-in and elemental sound. Certainly one of the best LPs of the year thus far ..read more

As many other blogs and heads in the know have recently pointed out, Jeffrey Alexander & The Heavy Lidders’ latest album, the subscription-only Planet Lidders, is a true tour de force of all of the band’s greatest strengths. Alexander’s subscription service is certainly something all psychedelic music fans should consider taking advantage of, as it brings you killer exclusive releases, such as this excellent example of prime Lidders action. However, this album will also eventually see a digital and cassette release via Worried Songs come September. So non-subscribers should mark their cale ..read more

The spring 2024 music release schedule is overwhelmingly packed with choice gems and instant classics, but one album that I’m particularly excited for is Winged Wheel’s triumphant return. The third of May will see the untamed shoegaze typhoon that is Big Hotel. Available through 12XU, the supergroup’s sophomore effort will see regular members Matthew J Rolin (Powers/Rolin Duo), Cory Plump (Spray Paint, Rider/Horse, Expensive Shit), Fred Thomas (Tyvek, Idle Ray) and Whitney Johnson (Matchess, Damiana) joined by Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley and Lonnie Slack of Water Damage. Recorded together duri ..read more