Introducing Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock
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Introducing Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock – a new blog dedicated to exploring the best in lo-fi, psychedelic rock music. From classic bands like The Velvet Underground to modern day innovators like Tame Impala, we’ll be delving into the history and present of this fascinating genre.
What is Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock?
Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock is a subgenre of Psychedelic Rock that was popularized in the late 1990s. The subgenre is characterized by its distorted, lo-fi sound and DIY aesthetic. Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock bands often record their music on cassette tapes or 4-track recorders, giving the music its signature lo-fi sound.
Origins of the genre
Lo-fi psychedelic rock is a subgenre of psychedelic rock characterized by a DIY aesthetic, lower production values, and often an experimental or unusual approach to songwriting and sound recording. The term “lo-fi” (short for “low fidelity”) was first used in the late 1980s by music journalists to describe music recorded on cassette tape or other inexpensive equipment.
The genre emerged in the 1990s as a reaction against the polished production values and traditional song structures of mainstream pop music, and has been associated with artists such as Sebadoh, Pavement, Ween, Guided By Voices, Beck, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Flaming Lips, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Manchester Orchestra.
While some lo-fi artists deliberately set out to create a “raw” or “lo-fi” sound, others have achieved it unintentionally as a result of their limited budget or inexperience. Lo-fi rock is generally distinguished from Noise music and industrial music in that it is not designed to avant-garde or experimental purposes; rather, it is often characterized by a focus on melody and songcraft.
Key characteristics
Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock is a genre of music that is characterized by its trippy, dreamlike soundscape and its use of heavy reverb and echo. The genre often contains elements of garage rock, surf rock, and dream pop. Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock is typically made with very lo-fi production values, which gives the music its hazy, washed out sound.
Notable Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock artists
Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock is a subgenre of Psychedelic Rock that emerged in the early 2010s. The genre is characterized by its lo-fi production values and DIY aesthetic. Notable artists include Tame Impala, Mac Demarco, Ariel Pink, and The Oh Sees.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group’s original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Distinguished by their vocal harmonies and early surf songs, they are one of the most influential acts of the rock era. The band drew on the music of jazz-based vocal groups, 1950s rock and roll, and black R&B to create their unique sound.
The Beach Boys were one of the first groups to be referred to as “psychedelic rock”, with their 1966 album Pet Sounds cited as a major influence on the development of psychedelic music. All four Beach Boys band members have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964 by Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Angus MacLise. The band was initially active between 1965 and 1973 and was best known for their influential and often controversial music and stage performances, particularly in the underground scene of New York’s Lower East Side.
As one of the first American bands to integrate elements of avant-garde art into their work, the Velvet Underground developed a style of experimental rock that would be influential on subsequent generations of artists. Their music encompassed a wide range of genres, including pop, electronic, art rock, proto-punk, and noise rock. The band was also known for their often ambiguous lyrics, which explored topics such as drug addiction, sexual deviance, and sadomasochism.
The Velvet Underground’s impact on popular culture was substantial; although they were unable to achieve commercial success during their initial run, the group is now regarded as one of the most important and influential bands of its era. Their debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico is ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time by several publications.
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett was a founding member of the English rock band Pink Floyd. He was the lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter during the band’s early years, and is credited with naming the band and co-writing their hit single “See Emily Play”. Barrett left Pink Floyd in 1968 due to mental illness and creative disagreements. The following year he released his only solo album, The Madcap Laughs.
Barrett died in 2006 at the age of 60 from complications of diabetes. His death occurred two days after Pink Floyd’s induction into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an event he was too ill to attend.
The resurgence of Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock in the 21st century
Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock first made waves in the late 60s and early 70s with bands like The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd. The genre has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with a new generation of bands carrying on the tradition. Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock is known for its mind-bending soundscapes and trippy lyrics. If you’re looking to trip out, this is the genre for you.
Tame Impala
An Australian psychedelic rock band founded in 2007, Tame Impala rose to prominence in the early 2010s with their debut album, Innerspeaker. The band’s sound is reminiscent of classic psychedelic rock groups like Pink Floyd and The Beatles, with a modern lo-fi twist. Tame Impala’s music has been praised for its catchy melodies, dreamy soundscapes, and Kevin Parker’s distinctive vocals and songwriting. The band’s popularity has only grown in recent years, with their third album, Currents, topping charts around the world. If you’re looking for a gateway into the world of modern psychedelia, Tame Impala is a great place to start.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is a Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock band which was formed in San Francisco in 1990. The band is fronted by Anton Newcombe, who is the only original member remaining in the group. They have released sixteen studio albums to date, with their latest album ‘Revelation’ being released in 2014.
The band was one of the leading forces in the Lo-Fi Psychedelic Rock revival of the early 21st century, and their music has often been compared to that of The Velvet Underground and Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd.
Thee Oh Sees
Thee Oh Sees are an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1997 by primary songwriter and core member John Dwyer. The band currently consists of Dwyer, bassist Tim Hellman, keyboardist/vocalist Tom Dolas, guitarist Paul Quattrone and drummer Dan Rincon. Since its inception, the band’s lineup has included several other musicians, with each album being recorded by a different lineup.
