The 11th edition of LEVITATION, the psych rock music festival launched by The Black Angels and The Reverberation Appreciation Society from Austin, Texas in 2008, kicked off a full weekend of shows on Thursday, November 7th. Sold-out sets by Power Trip, Japan’s Kikagaku Moyo and Minami Deutsch plus an eye-opening slot by Jonathan Bree made for an exceptional evening of performances by a wide range of artists booked by the event organizers.
A cold front and some wet weather moved into the area Thursday, pushing fall temperatures down into the 40s. Despite the cold, fans arrived in droves at Mohawk to catch metal lords Power Trip driving fans into a mosh pit frenzy. Heavy power chords, screaming vocals, and an intense yet playful delivery meant loads of fun for the lucky fans who managed to grab tickets to the first evening spectacle.
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We made it over to Barracuda following that insanely fun Power Trip performance to catch Japanese act Minami Deutsch, whose authentic psych-rock sound set us into the perfect mood. Hailing from Tokyo, the group has been performing since 2014, striking a balance between traditional psych rock tones and a more progressive, repetitious style that employs elements of Kraut rock, DJ beats, and rock n roll. The appearance of Kraut rock as an influence shouldn’t be surprising to local music fans who’ve heard Austin favorites The Bright Light Social Hour delve into similar material. If you doubted the German influence on their music, their moniker is a dead giveaway as it translates to South Germany. We’re looking forward to a deeper dive into the group’s material. Check out their Bandcamp page and take that trip with us.
We headed back to the inside stage at Barracuda for JJUUJJUU. The group laid down deep grooves highlighted by extended jams that meandered off into the weeds a bit then pulled it back in to complete the circuit. The group is led by L.A.-based musician Phil Perrone, who incidentally also produces Desert Daze, the psych rock festival that took place at Peris Lake, California. Perrone later brought song ideas to life with the rhythmic companion of friend and collaborator Andrew Clinco. In any case, we’re taking a closer look at their recordings after that mesmerizing set. Join us over at the group’s Bandcamp page to find more goodness.
Before departing Barracuda we caught the other Japanese band on the bill Kikagaku Moyo, who employed a sitar-like guitar, producing an almost orchestral introduction that led into a louder jam much like Austin post-rock acts my education and Explosions in the Sky. The difference is the distinct Eastern flavor to the riffs that oscillate between what we imagine is traditional Japanese music and decidedly modern, neo-psych rock musings. The band’s name loosely translates to geometric patterns which is an apt description as any.
Our final act of the evening was no less eye-raising as we took in the musical stylings of the masked Jonathan Bree. The singer was accompanied by two dancers who also wore full body suits that obscured their faces as well as his band. The New Zealand artist has been making music since the early aughts, first with indie pop act The Brunettes and then as a solo act. His voice is commanding and deep, intoning words into the microphone while his dancers make stylized synchronous movements on either side of the performer. The effect is hypnotizing, lending an odd, irregular feeling to the visual aspect of the show. Part art-rock, part crooner, Jonathan Bree brings a performance art feel to his show.
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Cover photo credit: April Riggs
