Austin Psych Fest Artist Spotlight: 13th Floor Elevators
Written by Coog Radio on April 3, 2015
Decades in the 1900’s all had a theme but now we live in a decade that is bringing back trends from here and there; the recycling age. Music nowadays is very difficult to categorize into genres and even old music trends are resurfacing. Bands such as Tame Impala are bringing back and even enhancing the psychedelic rock genre, that has now become very popular. In the midst of all these amazing new artists and bands popping up across the country, it’s easy to forget of the music from back in the day that started it all; but don’t worry, you can have a chance to experience it firsthand.
Pioneers of the Psychedelic Rock genre of the ’60s, the 13th Floor Elevators, will reunite once again, after 50 years, at Austin’s Psych Fest 2015; headlining the festival in the city where they started it all. There are many reasons for the band’s chosen name, such as the absence of a 13th floor in buildings due to superstition, the 13th step in the enlightenment pyramid that leads to the “all seeing eye” and the letter “M” (they liked Mary Jane) is the 13th letter of the alphabet, but one thing is for sure: their goal was to elevate the consciousness of their audience through their music. The band emerged in 1965 in Austin, and toured heavily around the Dallas/Houston/Austin area before becoming a popular national act, which led to the recording of their first album “The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators” with the International Artists record label in Houston. Four albums came out of the band’s four years together (1965-1969), but even though they are from a different time, they laid the foundation for psychedelic rock, which has become prominent in the 21st century. The band’s acidic sounds, dipped in the blues style, rocked them out of the garage and into national stages decades ago but for devout psychedelic rock fans out there, it’s a must to see this once-in-a-lifetime reunion. The performance will give you more appreciation for the journey it took for the genre to become what it is today.
Plus, wouldn’t it be groovy to pretend for one second you are in the decade you belong in!
The Austin Psych Festival will be held the weekend of April 8-10, 2015 @ Carson Creek Ranch (9507 Sherman Road, Austin, TX).
Buy your tickets here! (Camping is not included in the ticket price)
By Hazel Ramos
