The Oakland based Once & Future Band’s latest release Deleted Scenes combines their love of larger than life psychedelic pop, progressive influences and overall 70’s aesthetic in throwback fashion. The band, Joel Robinow (keyboards, lead vocals), Raj Ojha (drums, recording / mixing engineer) and Eli Eckert (bass, vocals), work their talents while constantly recalling their heroes.
Once & Future Band started back in 2012 because of the trio’s love of mid 70’s era fusion, prog, and lush pop. Now in 2020, Deleted Scenes prove that love which brought them together is only growing as they continue to swim in these soothing waters soaking up their influences and sounds. And for those that didn’t know – Robinow and Ojha are planning on suiting up as touring members of The Black Crowes for their Shake Your Money Maker 30th Anniversary Tour.
Glide is proud to premiere the official video for Once & Future Band’s “Airplane, a chilling track that shows the band displaying a cinematic lustre and haunting vibe, aside from its familiar robust instrumental technicality. From “Airplane” one down, Once & Future Band has made one of 2020’s mid-year best-of albums, a challenging yet accessible musical journey combing the most approachable aspects of prog, baroque psychedelic and art-rock. Check out the video and quotes from Robinow and video director Luke Judd below…
“Airplane was from 2004 thereabouts the lyrics are about whatever you think, but it was written in a rock n roll themed hotel in Amsterdam, the kind with like a snare drum glued to the ceiling, and just the words “Bob Dylan” written in a funky font on the wall,” says Robinow. “I was sharing a room with an old bandmate who had met a free jazz Swedish woman on the ferry some days before, I also had a friend from home who I was hanging out with platonically, who had mercifully fallen asleep oblivious to the drunken courtship of two ppl who didn’t share a language…I heard “Albert Ayler” and then a lot of amorous scuffling and then everyone was asleep, and the next day had started outside and I wrote a song in my head about someone who was a long ways away and was probably not thinking about me at the same time like I imagined.”
Director Luke Judd explains the making of the video….
“Airplane, is a reflection on isolation and a reframing of the passage of time from burden to beauty while sheltering in place. Compiled from 75 time-lapses taken solely from my yard in Oakland between March 26 ( day 3 of the Bay Area Shelter in Place order) to April 20th. I’m a long time fan of Ron Fricke’s work and I started to form the idea that I could weave these bits into a larger meditative piece. I tend to edit to place holder music and had a pre-release of OAFB’s Deleted Scene I’d been listening to on repeat. The slow, psychedelic beauty of the song, as well as the theme of isolation, Airplane seemed to be a perfect fit. I emailed Raj Ojha, drummer of OAFB and friend, a very early edit. Mostly, as a “check out what I’m working on,” but it sparked a conversation which led to another 40+ time-lapses over the following weeks. With a close eye on weather reports, I tracked a cloud movement and plotted out the framings I wanted. Every night I’d process what I’d taken that day and fill in the gaps. Ultimately, this was a project of letting go of control and making the best choices out of what was available to me, valuable lessons during the quarantine.”
Photo by Rob Williamson