Austin Psych Fest 4 at Seaholm

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Austin Psych Fest, which starts tomorrow night. This is the fourth year, and third location, for the fest and promises to be the biggest one yet. What started as a way for, local psych-o's The Black Angels, to feature some of their favorite cohorts in psych has morphed into a full-on festival. Tickets are still available and may be purchased for individual days of for the entire 3-day event.

If I were wise, I would have started posting about this event a week or two ago and featured one band a day like I do for SXSW but in typical Bloggy-fashion I procrastinated and now I'm faced with a mammoth post. So, I think what I will do is break it down like this. I'll focus on, which day to buy for those of you who can only afford to attend one day, then I'll post videos from some of my favorite artists who will be hitting the fest this weekend.


A Place to Bury Strangers - I Lived My Life To Stand In The Shadow Of Your Heart video via YouTube

A Place To Bury Strangers plays Psych Fest Friday night. There are two stages at Seaholm Power Plant one of which, I presume, will be inside while the other is outside. I'm assuming "stage 2" is inside since they have bands performing at 2am on stage 2 and I'm pretty sure that violates some noise-ordinance. There are some great artists playing Friday night at Psych Fest but if I'm only going to buy a day ticket I'm not going to spend the money on the shortest day. Sorry, I'm just thinking frugal. However, if you're going to be buying a weekend pass (or already have) you should check out Omar A. Rodriquez, Tobacco, No Joy, Shapes Have Fangs, Crystal Stilts, Atlas Sound and Beach Fossils.


Crystal Stilts - Through The Floor video via YouTube

Day 2 is probably the day I would buy a pass for, if you're only going to do one day because the music goes on for, roughly 14 hours. Although, the headliners for Sunday are stronger in my opinion. However, I am all about a few of the bands playing Saturday including Crocodiles


Crocodiles - Sleep Forever video via YouTube

and

Black Moth Super Rainbow.


Black Moth Super Rainbow - Born on a Day the Sun Didn't Rise video via YouTube

However, you might also be interested in seeing Prefuse 73, Sleepy Sun, Indian Jewelry, and Young Prisms. All of whom, are also, playing Psych Fest on Saturday.



Indian Jewelry - Swans video via YouTube

Sunday, is the third and final day, of Psych Fest and it ends a bit earlier than the previous days but there is still enough Psychedelic Rock to melt your face and get your money's worth out of that peyote you bought. As I mentioned earlier, I feel like this is the day with the strongest headliners with both The Black Angels and, the legendary, Roky Erickson set to perform. Before Roky's set there is a mysterious unannounced performance, which I believe to be the ghost of Stevie-Ray Vaughn but that's just conjecture at this point.


The Black Angels - Telephone video via YouTube

So, don't forget if you want to attend Psych Fest 4 this weekend you should snag some tickets and head on down to Seaholm Power Plant. Attire is business casual so bring a sport-coat but no tie is required.

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Tonight = Rest, No More Sleep After That.

Well dear reader, Monday is your night to rest because the rest of the week is going to be insane. I'm just going to focus on Tuesday right now. My highlight for Tuesday is Black Moth Super Rainbow with School of Seven Bells and, Austin's-own, Balmorhea.

The show takes place at the Mohawk's outside stage, which means the show must be done before midnight. That's a good thing for those of us who have to be at work by 6:30 the following morning. I'd get there early because all of the bands kick ass in their own ways and you won't want to miss any of it.


Balmorhea - San Solomon (Reprise) video courtesy of Cannibal Cheerleader via YouTube


I saw School of Seven Bells before I had heard of them, at SXSW. That's often the case with acts you catch at South By, you appreciate the experience more 3-6 months later when you hear the band on the radio. Just for the record Sirius XMU plays School of Seven Bells pretty often. I'm a fan. You can also download several tracks from their several releases over on the official Ghostly site. I tried and tried to find the direct links from the site so I could just put them above the break, but alas I was foiled. People/sites hate it when you do that anyway. *shrug*


School of Seven Bells - Half Asleep video via YouTube

I have never seen Black Moth Super Rainbow but their latest album, Eating Us has been garnering a lot of praise as of late. So, I'm curious to hear them live. Could be a trainwreck, or could be transcendent, we'll see.


Black Moth Super Rainbow - Born On A Day the Sun Didn't Rise video via YouTube

I want to include one more from Balmorhea because way back in the day I dissed their name, not realizing it was a State Park here in Texas. I was also under the impression it was pronounced like diarrhea, which it's not. It's Bal - Moh - Rhe - Uh, which is a much more pleasant name that what I had originally thought. This is a "Special, Acoustic Performance" for KEXP by Balmorhea live from the ME Television studios.


Balmorhea - Night I the Draw video via YouTube

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