Australian Psychedelic Rock: The New Sound of the Outback
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Australian Psychedelic Rock: The New Sound of the Outback – a blog about the new wave of psychedelic rock coming out of Australia.
The Psychedelic Sound of the Outback
In recent years, Australian psychedelic rock has been making a comeback, with a new generation of bands taking influence from the country’s rich history of psych-rock. From the 60s and 70s onwards, Australian psych-rock has always had its own unique sound, influenced by the country’s vast and varied landscape. Now, with a new wave of bands emerging, the sound of the outback is being taken to new heights.
So what is this new sound of the outback? Psychedelic rock, or psych-rock for short, is a genre of music that takes inspiration from psychedelic culture and music. It often incorporates elements of space rock and experimental rock, and can be characterized by trippy soundscapes, mind-bending lyrics, and an overall sense of exploration.
Australian psych-rock bands like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Tame Impala are leading the charge in this new wave of outback psychedelia. If you’re looking to explore the genre further, we highly recommend checking out these five essential Australian psych-rock albums.
Australian Psychedelic Rock Bands
Australian psychedelic rock, also called “ozpsych” or “Aussie psych”, is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in Australia in the late 1960s. Several Australian rock bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s followed in the footsteps of British groups such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones, by incorporating psychedelic influences into their music. These groups include Bee Gees, Zoot, Spectrum, Epics, Company Caine and Clear Light. The style continued to develop in Australia throughout the 1970s with bands such as Sherbet, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and Ariel.
In the early 1990s a new wave of Australian psychedelic rock bands emerged, including The Church, Snout, Lubricated Goat and The Drones. These groups (and others) have continued to perform and release new music throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
The New Sound of the Outback
Psychedelic rock was a major force in Australian music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Bands like Tame Impala, Pond and The Drones fused elements of psychedelia with rock to create a sound that was uniquely Australian.
The new sound of the outback was heavily influenced by the British and American psychedelic scenes, but it also had its own unique flavor. Australian bands blended elements of pop, garage rock, folk and country to create a sound that was both familiar and exotic.
Australian psychedelic rock is often characterized by its use of extended jams, drone-like textures and ambient soundscapes. This style of music is perfect for long drives through the outback or lazy days spent in the sun. If you’re looking for something different, check out the new sound of the outback.