-
Howlin Rain: An interview by Jiah Carron
Petal Motel is pleased to introduce Jiah Carron, a Canadian music journalist and label executive who’s a huge psych and private press junkie. I thought Jiah would be the perfect person to interview Ethan Miller of Howlin Rain and it turns out, I was right. Their conversation was deep, long, and literary. Thanks for reading! I had the privilege of conversing with the legendary Howlin Rain’s frontman, Ethan Miller. I’ve spent the last few weeks getting absolutely lost in their upcoming album The Dharma Wheel, a sprawling psychedelic folk-rock monument featuring the band at their most fluid and dynamic, carving…
-
Loner folk legend Dave Bixby announces “Harbinger Orchestra”
Dave Bixby is a living folk legend, and quite literally developed a cult following. his definitive loner acid folk album, ‘Ode to Quetzalcoatl’ was recorded following a long period of time Dave spent in what he calls ‘the void’, a dark, depressive episode after a prolonged period of taking LSD almost daily. The haunting 1969 album was reissued by Spanish label Guerssen in 2009, catching the attention of private press collectors everywhere. Dave’s had a really fascinating life, beginning with his leadership within a Michigan-based Christian Cult only known as the Group. Always a loner and an adventurer, Dave left…
-
Sounds from the Bardo, Volume II : Experience!
Psychedelic Sangha, the NYC-based collective of ‘misfit seekers,’ is back with their second immersive, packable psychedelic experience. This time, Scott Metzger, Jeff Hill, and Tony Leone provide aural accompaniment to Jessica Angima’s guided meditation and Bubba Ayoub’s visuals. “We approached the music knowing that people would be meditating, so we wanted the music to be conducive to that,” Leone says. “We also hoped to lead the meditators on a sonic journey. The same way a dance band inspires its listener to dance, we wanted to invite our meditators to a “mind dance.” The three musicians’ goal was:• Keep the music…
-
Farmer Dave and the Wizards of the West – FDWOW
Ten years after Farmer Dave’s surf opus Flash Forward to the Good Times, he’s back with Wizards of the West, a collective and constantly-evolving collections of musicians focused on a singular goal of spreading love via music. Where Flash Forward represented water, the eponymous debut of this project is all air and space. That isn’t to say Farmer Dave hasn’t been plenty busy in between, collaborating with Cass McCombs, Jenny Lewis, Kurt Vile, among others; releasing music as half of mysto-folk duo Californiosos; and of course his work with Beachwood Sparks and the Skiffle Players. He also released an EP,…
-
Bobby Lee – Origin Myths EP
British primitive cosmic rocker Bobby Lee has announced a forthcoming EP, out March 5th on Natural Histories. Among a plethora of incredible British cosmic cowfolk musicians, Bobby stands out with his shimmering guitar tones, standing at that interstellar crossroads between Americana, American primitive, psychedelic and shoegaze. Hot on the heels of his excellent 2020 release, Shakedown in Slabtown, the songs on Origin Myths songs positively vibrate, lifting the listener to another plane with “Broken Prayer Stick” and “Enchanted Mesa,” odes to nature and the spiritual world. Have a listen to my favorite, “Fire Medicine Man,” and “Impregnated By Drops of…
-
Mojohand – Easy Daisy
New Jersey cosmic Americana soul-rockers Mojohand have released a new song today, again featuring that celestial steel playing from Dan Horne! These guys can certainly jam but I’m loving all these slower grooves they’re busting out lately. Really shows their influence of Beachwood Sparks, a band we both love. This is also the first song they’ve released written by keyboardist Ian Darcy, who says the track is an ode to seizing the day. Snag “Easy Daisy” and the rest of Mojohand’s great catalog on Bandcamp!
-
Sounds from the Bardo Vol. I : Experience!
This is not a song – this is a psychedelic experience. Last time we talked to Prana Crafter, he was writing his PhD dissertation on psychic communication in music. Makes perfect sense that he’d partner with the “misfit seekers” that make up Psychedelic Sangha, an NYC-based collective that offers peer-supported psychedelic experimentation, and hosts soundbaths, guided meditation, and spiritual arts programming. “Sounds from the Bardo” is a new album-based series of immersive journeys produced by Psychedelic Sangha. Each ‘transmission’ is a unique sensory adventure featuring ~ 1 hour of guided meditation, exclusive music and accompanying video light show. Prana Crafter…
-
John Jeffrey – Passage
Each of John Jefrey’s “anti-compositions” are like pieces of stained glass. The multi-instrumentalist spent breaks between tours as drummer for Moon Duo working on his solo record, inspired by the serene natural landscape of his home of Vancouver and propelled by the idea of nature’s sentience; as well as Alice Coltrane and Canadian painter Takao Tanab. This music is a living, breathing thing – pastoral, intricate, multi-faceted. Though instrumental, it’s not a passive voyage. Each track is a journey unto itself, weaving an illuminated, brightly colored experience, listening not to pass the time but to reshape it. “Lonely Years” kicks…
-
Uay – Somos Luz : Listen
Guadalajara-based duo UAY takes their name from the phonetic translation of a Mayan word for spell or wizard, and they do indeed create a sort of magic with their hypnotic, frenzied playing. HALFSHELL RECORDS · Uay – Somos Luz Uay has contributed a track to Call and Response, a mutual aid compilation by Halfshell Records artists. 100% of proceeds will be split equally between NAACP, ACLU, National Bail Out, Okra Project, King County Equity Now, Real Rent Duwamish, and Border Angles. Uay is Rodrigo Torres (bass/vocals) and Francisco Lopez (guitar/vocals) and a rotating cast of drummers, percussionists, and guest musicians.…
