Monthly Archives: February 2013

Here’s a fresh batch of KC Psychfest artist for your listening pleasures.

Golden Donna

Golden Donna hails from the exciting electronic and experimental scene in Madison, WI. The man behind the Donna is Joel Shanahan, a former guitarist for Julian Lynch. He dropped his first Golden Donna EP on bandcamp and was promptly signed to Not Not Fun records, so that’s pretty sweet. Check out the visuals for Paulding Light below, or hop onto his bandcamp for more previewing pleasures.

Expo 70

Expo 70 is an unknown known quantity. Spacial exploration, spatial exploration, really just exploration in general seems to be the way of Mr. Justin Wright. He’s Missouri’s ticket to the clouds, or the deepest brightest nebulas of space, and he’ll be at the ‘fest.

Karma Vision

Another repeat offender from last year, Karma Vision is back with us. The founders of Pizza Power in Lawrence will be back performing at KC Psychfest, and you will be back watching them. But first, watch them frolick backwards in animal masks.

Continents

Another local fellow, not that it’s a bad thing, KC’s got talent and we love to support it. Jim Button released Land of Plenty in 2009, and it was wonderful. Sometimes folksy, always toe tapping, completely enjoyable. He’s working on new material, and “Do Your Service” might just be a glimpse into what that new material may sound like.

Ok psychfesters, we’re back with another round of band announcements. MOAR BANDS. This batch features three touring acts and one that hails from our very own Lawrence, Kansas.

Samantha Glass

Samantha Glass is not a Samantha. In fact, he’s not even a she at all. Samantha Glass is the gender-confounded stage name of Madison, Wisconsin’s Beau Devereaux. Not Not Fun is due to drop his first full length project later this year, but for some good preview action check out his bandcamp. “Human Voice” is made up of ticking, plodding drum machines and impervious organ undertones. Get lost, in a good way.

Stacian

From Moniker Records:

“Songs for Cadets id not a 37-minute barrage of Krauty, synth-drenched dance-pop from Miluakee’s scorching Stacian- it’s actually a coded training manual for intergalactic mercenaries, sent back in time from the year 2112. Life on earth has become unsustainable, and groups of young fighters have been enlisted by what’s left of the global government to colonize Jupiter 6, a rich earthlike planet out on the hostile fringes of the universe, populated by reptilian humanoids and robotic pterodactyls.

A 22nd-century Joan of Arc in dayglo armor, Stacian heads the sonic warfare division, wielding her synthesier like a light saber in a life-or-death contenst for control of the cosmic dance floor. Crisp, relentless drumbeats and rocket-engine bass vie with the echoing cries of those weird, metallic birds as Stacian rallies her troops into action- mandatory listening for future cadets.”

Enough said. Now listen.

C.J. Boyd

C.J. Boyd has been on tour since 2008. Which sounds crazy, but when you hear his music, you’ll understand where his head’s at on that one. Boyd is a phenomenal bassist with a knack for wandering, improvisational textures and walls of sound. He’s a minimalist with an eye for the overstatement. A bassist with an ear for melody. An artist you should listen to. Check out his website, but first listen to “Every time I don the ski mask”, better yet, do both at the same time.

Y[our] Fri[end]

Y[our] Fri[end] is Taryn Miller. And she’s reppin the middle of the map. I could spend a few sentences telling you about her, but it’s probably best if you just head on over to 6lawrence.com and watch the video she recorded for The Not So Late Show.

Like her on facebook.

Good people, we have good news. The KC Psychfest is coming back for round two. On may 17th and 18th, we’ll be bringing you KC’s haziest and craziest. Here are the first four acts we’re announcing- more to come later.

Don’t act like you’re not excited, we can hear your rapidly accelerating heartbeat from here.

Discoverer

Brandon Knocke, graced us with his dripping, juicy synthtastic textures weaved into hip-hop worthy beats at KC Psychfest 2012, and we’re pleased to announce that he’ll be back with us this year. Knocke also makes music under the guises of Svamps, Brazilian Television, and Parts of Speech, so if you’re familiar with those groups, you’ve got even more reason to be excited. “Circular Motherboard” is the lead track from his debut LP Tunnels. It’s a smooth journey through the fabric of space-time, never ceasing in head bob-ability. Once that beat drops and the hypnotic bass figures creep into your psyche, there’s no escaping the discovery of Discoverer.

Check out his bandcamp, soundcloud, blog, or follow him on twitter @modernhug.

Umberto

Matt Hill is the man behind Umberto, and he must be doing something right. Back in 2011 Umberto got a shout out on ALTERED ZONES, the now defunct sister blog of the all mighty Pitchfork. I guess Umberto outlasted the altered zone. We’re glad it worked out that way, because it leaves us with more creepy synth-scapes and less snotty music blogging. Umberto helped us close out last year’s show, and we’re ecstatic to have Umberto back for a second go round this year. “Everything Is Going To Be OK” is exactly what the title would imply, an anthem that lets you know everything is going to be ok. It sounds like something from the soundtrack of a low budget N64 game. That was a compliment.

Find more from Umberto on bandcamp and Facebook.

Bloodbirds

Bloodbirds are Mike Tuley, Brooke Tuley, and Anna St Louis. Their sound is post punk, garage-rock, fuzztastic, guitar-heavy, and pretty much everything we look for in a good time. “Divorce Sea” is from their album Psychic Surgery. It’s a howling, screeching, smash and grab.

Check out more from Bloodbirds on bandcamp, facebook, and their blog.

The Conquerors!

Thick guitar tears, energy on energy on energy. Rory Cameron, Christian O’Reilly, Jim Button, Vince Lawhon, and Mikee Pruitt make up the hazy local rockers known as The Conquerors, and they are out to… conquer. We’re beyond elated to have fthem with us again this year. Whet your appetite for fuzzy, unrefined, rock-n-roll with “Proxy Shady”.

Check out more from The Conquerors! on ReverbNation and MySpace.

Stay tuned, we’ll be announcing more acts all month.

May 17 and 18 will be nights to remember!