Atom Heart Mutha Plays the very best in Heavy Psychedelic/Stoner/SpaceRock/Fuzz/
Krautrock/Psychedelic Rock/Acid Rock weekly. Each show contains a healthy batch of
brand-new music and great tracks from around the world.
Email bigjafir@hotmail.com if you'd like your music to be considered
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If you follow the blog, you may have seen the recent review of the incredible 'Siebenunddreißigachtundvierzig' by Weites Luftmeer, in which I mentioned that I'd heard the album late last year, after I'd already published my favourite records of 2016 list. I also said, at the end of the review, that there was some quite brilliant and interesting music coming out of Germany at the moment. Well, to back up that statement comes Zement; a German duo this time from Würzburg.
The album artwork by Fabian Götz appears to promise something grey or colourless which couldn't be further from truth. Contained inside are 5 tracks of Motorik beat driven patterns with warm synths and fantastic guitar work, leading the way, almost hypnotically, through each track. 'Ton' opens the record and wastes no time in getting straight to point; a driving beat over a waving synth and a striking guitar lick as the song builds and expands. All 5 tracks are around 10 minutes in length and never overstay their welcome. Subsequent tracks Kalkstein, Eisenerz, Sand, and Gips all follow the same themes, in terms of length and build; the instruments remain the same too, but that's not to say there's a lack of variety. Each song stands alone as different and individual, with noticeable enveloping depth.
Zement: Werk hits the mark on the first listen and it gets better and better with every play. Zement deserve to be heard widely, and fans of Krautrock/Kosmische will find themselves engrossed by what's on offer here. The album was recorded as it was played live, in one room, by Marcus from The Spacelords and mastered, unsurprisingly, by Eroc, which makes this record a great companion piece to last years excellent 'Shipwrecked' by Sula Bassana. Fans of New! and Föllakzoid will also find plenty to love here too.
Seek out Zement, they are absolutely worth your time.
2017 is already shaping up to be an excellent year for music, there are quite a few releases due over the next few weeks and plenty of reviews of new records on the Atom Heart Mutha blog to come.
Bandcamp continues to be a goldmine of albums well worth checking out, here are a few I've come across recently that i think you'll really dig.
Lots of these are brand new/recent releases and are available to download now, click the title links to take you to the bandcamp pages, in many cases there will be physical releases for purchase too.
As always if you like what you hear please support the bands by buying their music and showing your support by following them on social Media.
There are more new reviews to come on AHM so please keep coming back, you can also find me on Mixcloud, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you'd like to be considered to be played on the show or have an Lp reviewed, contact me via email.
Enjoy !!
Januarys Atom Heart Mutha RadioShow is now available to listen to anytime on Mixcloud. You can go to the AHM Mixcloud page HERE or listen on the embedded player below.
This months show went out on the Bigjaf.net RockShow on January 14th and again for American Radio Station Grip of Delusion on the 15th.
This month features a ton of brand new releases from the likes of White Light Cemetery, Evil Triplet and Atomic Simao and theres plenty of Psych Stoner and Spacerock to discover.
As always if you like what you hear please support the bands and labels by buying their music, there are direct tags on the Facebook Page, check it out.
Track List:
Krobak- No Pressure, Choice is Yours
Church of the Cosmic Skull - Watch it Grow
Evil Triplet - Get a Job
White Light Cemetery- Quit Work, Make Music
Plainride - Salt River
Secret Saucer - Roaming Shores
Atomic Simao - I'm Your Eyes Here
Brothers Mothers - Flying Over
Jardin de la Croix - Reversion
Cosmic Triggers - Sindicate
Every now and again, a happy coincidence presents itself. In a Twitter conversation late last year, It was suggested that i'd really like Munich's Weites Luftmeer and i needed to check them out. Not much longer afterwards, and unexpectedly, Tonzonen Records gave me an opportunity to hear the latest release from the band 'Siebenunddreißigachtundvierzig'; and I'm happy to say, It's fantastic.
Opening track 'Isosceles' plays as shimmering, psychedelic rock; the drumbeat and spangly guitars lead the way through a contemporary shoegaze sound to its noisy conclusion. Following its gentile start 'Buoyancy' is much more distorted and fuzzed-up in its tones. The track builds by adding drones and percussive beats.
As the music hits the five minute mark, it bursts into something more urgent and weighty, creating an incredible wall of sound. 'Trail of Thoughts' begins with ambient soundscapes in its first half, but is soon awash with trippy beats and gorgeous textures of synth and guitar. The albums closer is much heavier; 'Oxykotin' growls with every reverb drenched note. The track is a heavy psych rock freakout that keeps on smashing forward with its mammoth groove; its final moments fade out and leave you wanting for more.
All four tracks add up to an engaging, and often uplifting listen, each song is constructed expertly and thoughtfully. These compositions work well individually, but work far better as one piece, in fact, Siebenunddreißigachtundvierzig is another perfect example of being music elevated as an experience through decent headphones.
Tonzonen records are continuing to go from strength to strength with their roster, and in fact its an interesting time right now For Psychedelic Rock/Spacerock largely in part to German bands and labels. Tonzonen are about to release new records by Knall, The Spacelords and Sounds of New Soma. I'm really excited to hear all of them.
Weites Luftmeer have delivered something unexpected. I'm pleased that I've made their acquaintance now, as I start looking for through their back catalogue. Had I have caught this on release, it would have, most definitely, made my albums of the year list.
Essential listening.
The Trio 'Sista Maj' (Swedish for the last day of May, ever) are an interesting prospect; made up of Jonathan Segal of Camper Van Beetoven, drummer Andreas Axelssson (experimental jazz artist Lisa Ullén's band) and Mikael Tuominen of the brilliant Kungens Män.
The last day of May 2015 happened to be the first time that these three musicians played together. Record Label Space Rock Productions explain "they had played in other constellations before, but this started a new group: Sista Maj".
Their debut album "Series of Nested Universes" was recorded in Stockholm after they met again to record in October 2015
Disc 1 begins with the ambient and jazz infused 'Penny Spies', acting as an intro to the album, over its 6 and a half minutes leading to 'Secret Cave Secret Rat' a psychedelic mantra building over guitar and drones. 'A Very Happy Feather' is a colossal 25 minutes long. It begins its ascent with improvised space rock jamming, before it evolves into a full-on krautrock workout; its motorik drumming is almost hypnotic.
Disc 2 commences with the title track 'Series of Nested Universes', another ambient piece built over drones and a steady beat; its tone is cinematic and there are tinges of Eastern Psychedelic violin hidden within synthetic soundscape. 'Like a Diamond in this Guy' follows as slow psych jam over a considered beat and galactic guitar, but has a dark intensity. 'It Never Ends' is fast paced, urgent and strange; it's also infectiously groove driven and, easily, my favourite track on the album. The record closes over 15 minutes of improvised, atmospheric psychedelia and jazz with 'Bones of Steel'. It's mellow tones enriched, once again, by the eastern styles of the violin and guitars, otherworldly and beautiful.
Series of Nested Universes is a massive album to absorb over its two discs. Whilst its inception and indeed the recording process is born of improvisation and jamming sessions; strangely its content doesn't feel particularly loose. Given the bands pedigree, it's no surprise that stylistically, it takes in jazzed-up space rock and psychedelia. However, it doesn't follow conventional rules; each track is its own being and, as a listener, you'll benefit from repeated plays of the album.
Space Rock Productions are releasing the 2CD set limited to 500 pressed, making this a collectable piece. Find it whilst you still can!
Southern Rockers White Light Cemetery have been around since 2008. Influenced by classic rock masters Led Zeppelin, Lynrd Sknyrd and Deep Purple, along with the heavy attitude of Pantera and Crowbar (who the band toured with in 2013 on their Crushing The South Tour) the Louisiana four piece definitely know how to bring the noise.
This year sees the band put out their first record for Ripple Music; a label that over the past 5 years has developed into the home of some the most incredible contemporary, heavy rock acts around. From the second the brooding bassline of 'Misery Loves Company' rumbles in, right up to that crunching mammoth opening riff, you know White Light Cemetery have found themselves right at home amongst the likes of Wo Fat, Zed and Devil to Pay.
The rousing 'Sky River' has the feel of old school hard rock, rooted somewhere between Bad Company and Sonic Temple era The Cult, but with a modern sound injected in. Looking Out (For Number One) again feels like it's towering above the world; the bass work and riff, once more, creating that giant sound that resonates through the LP. 'On a Dime' has bluesy vintage flare and is one of the albums many highlights, as is follow on track 'Quit Work, Make Music'; a stoner fuelled Gem.
Elsewhere, on the LP, is the deep groove of 'Better Days' and the Audioslave-like 'Waiting'; all leading up to album closer 'Bullet to Erase'; a return to the old style rock sound. A really confident and fitting way to end the album.
Over the course of the 8 tracks, White Light Cemetery expertly demonstrate that southern rock doesn't have to sound like Skynrd; there's not a lot here that alerts you to the fact they're a southern rock band like the acclaimed Drive By Truckers per say. What you do get, in buckets though, is the heavy sound of a band at the top of their game. Every riff is massive; every bassline struts confidently and every beat smashes. This a huge leap forward since their 2013 debut.
Ripple Music deserve credit for their output of late. 2016 was a killer year for them and Careful What you Wish for is a helluva way to kick off 2017. White Light Cemetery have released the first great rock record of the year and only tease at what a formidable force they surely must be when witnessed live.
...January 14th at 9pm as part of the Bigjaf.net RockShow and again on Sunday 15th for Grip Of Delusion Radio at 10amEST/4pmCET/3pmUK.
The show features brand new tracks from new and recent releases, there'll be more details nearer the time of Broadcast on the AHM Facebook page.
Until then enjoy a playback on the Mixcloud player below of January 2015s show...
Track list:
Intro
Psychic Lemon - TiCkToC
Out Of the Earth - Mother Nature
Greenleaf - Equators
The Holy Cosmos - Cult of Skulls
Seven That Spells - The Pyramid
Wooden Shjips - We Ask You to Ride
Föllakzoid - IV, III, II. I
Nik Turner - Adjust the Future
Mothership - Still Raining, Still Dreaming
Transmissions from the Psychedelic Basement is a series of joint mixes from Atom Heart Mutha and Their good friends from Thee Psychedelicatessen.
Originally conceived as a crossover over of Psychedelia and Psychedelic Rock these mixes offer very different styles that come together to create one brilliant and addictive mix of music both old and new.
This Prog Special started as an idea from Thee Psychedelicatessen as something that you wouldn't normally associate from all concerned. What you are about to hear is a spectacular mix of the best tracks from the scene, they were a lot of fun to put together, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do !
If you like what you hear please support the artists by buying their music, you can find Atom Heart Mutha and Thee Psychedelicatessen on Facebook and Twitter.
Atom Heart Mutha
Atom Heart Mutha Track List: Vangelis - Spiral Acqua Fragile - Three Hands Man Billy Green - Gravediggers Gentle Giant - A Cry For Everyone Caravan - Winter Wine Rick Wakeman - The Lost Cycle England - All Alone/Three Piece Suite Yezda Urfa - 3, Almost 4, 6 Yea Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Karn Evil 9: First Impression Pts 1 & 2 Procol Harum - Shine on Brightly
Thee Psychedelicatessen
Thee Psychedelicatessen Track List: Colosseum - The Valentyne Suite If - I'm Reaching Out On All Sides Blodwyn Pig - Sing Me A Song So Well Quintessence - Giants Family - Love Is A Sleeper bIG GRunt - 11 Mustachioed Daughters Kevin Ayres - The Confessions Of Dr Dream Part 1 - 4 Argent - Hold Your Head Up Alan Parsons Project - The Raven Aphrodite's Child - The Four Horsemen Genesis - Twilight Alehouse Van Der Graff Generator - Theme 1 Yes - No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed The Nice - America
As list season comes to an end i'd like to mention some of the reissues this year worthy of your attention. Below are some of the best Compilations, Splits and Live Albums that I've really enjoyed.
All title links are clickable and will take you to the artists pages; as always, if you like what you hear then please support the artists and labels by purchasing their music.
3 Years ago Kiev's Atomic Simao released 'Nōdo'; a brilliant Spacerock LP with a really heavy undercurrent of Stoner Blues and Psych. The record was soaked in references and influenced by the genius of Jimi Hendrix, right the way down to its iconic "Hindu Hendrix" sleeve design. The band have been busy of late, with the recording of the follow-up 'Echo', as well as touring with revered artists Psychic TV and The Herbaliser.
Clearly a lot has happened to the band in 3 years. The opening track 'Intro' smashes in like something from The Chemical Brothers 'Dig Your Own Hole'. The distinct changes in instrumentation are apparent immediately. Second track 'The Mask' is full full on Psych-funk; its raspy saxophone and synths prove that the band have worked hard at delivering something new. This isn't a record they want you to sit still and listen to, they demand that you move!
'Around the Sun' is next. It runs on a lead sax again, but this time showcases some of the brilliant guitar work, last heard on Nōdo; also noteworthy here is the outstanding drum work of Georgiy Valchuk, coming off like Nick Mason on speed. The tempo's and techniques change constantly but retain a Floydesque feel. 'The Fox' has a very dancey, sixties feel to it. The organ sounds show an Acid Jazz flavour and a different facade to the band, but remain absolutely within the spirit of this record. 'Liquid Shadows is a slower, deeper number rooted in Jazz and old spy movie soundtracks, once more lead by the raspy sax. It can also be heard on the final track 'Space Veils'. However this song itself, sounds much more like something from past releases.
Despite its very late December Release, I'll say right now that this is going to be one hell of an album to beat in 2017. Atomic Simao may well continue to remain known as a psychedelic rock act; but they bring so much more now than with previous releases as the evolution of the band continues. 'Echo' shows a development in sound and style that should surely catapult them forward on to bigger stages and to wider audiences. The use of saxophone as a lead instrument is a bold and brilliant move and through its various filters, dazzles in the ways a great vocalist should. The band wear the influences from electronic big beat records and psychedelic rock with pride; it all feeds into an album with a massive sound. The heavier use of synths and some of the best drumming you'll hear on record for a long time, add up to an essential listen. There's no doubt about it; 'Echo' is fucking special.
The latter end of 2016 has produced a wealth of unexpected delights at a time of year reserved for best of releases and retrospectives; These are usually by the same artists as some sort of unnecessary and cynical cash in, well worry not......
Below you will find some brilliant alternatives...Stoner Rock, Desert, Space Psych and much more besides, click the links and hear the albums in full. The bandcamp pages for these artists will have social media connections there ready for you, click the titles above the player to go to the bandcamp pages directly, there will also be tags on the AHM Facebook page post.
As always if you like what you hear please support the bands by buying their music and showing your support by following them on social Media.
There are more reviews to come on AHM so please keep coming back, you can also find me on Mixcloud, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
December's Atom Heart Mutha RadioShow is now available to listen to online anytime on the Mixcloud Player.
This months show went out as part of BigJaf.nets RockShow and again on American radio Station Grip Of Delusion
Music featured this month includes some of my favourite songs of the year as well as brand new tracks out now and early next year
Enjoy !
Track List:
Vintage Cucumber- Schritt Nach Schritt
JuJu - Samael
Ghost Box Orchestra - Flutter
The Cult of Dom Keller - Ravens & Rockets
Blackash- Black Witch
Al Lover - NEUicide!
Blue Snaggletooth - Crystal's Gaze
Dreamtime - Fire
Sherpa - Sherpa
Svvamp - Big Rest
After a sizeable gap between album releases, Asteroid returned this year to remind the world how Psychedelic Rock is done properly. 'III' is an album crafted with care and written to be taken out on the road. Despite how turbulent this year may have been for the band, the songs within show confidence and strength without a crack in sight. Play loud, Asteroid command it !
I spoke with Johannes Nilsson and asked how the bands return has been...
Hi Johannes! It's good to speak with you. You've just released 'III' after a fairly lengthy break; how does feel being back out there?
Hey Jaf! Great to speak with you! Yeah, we released the album in Europe just a couple of weeks ago. It feels great being at it again and the response have been very promising so far. By the way, I really appreciate your words on the new record. It's always exciting to put out new material and getting the listeners opinions of it.
How has 2016 been for Asteroid?
The year since we started up has been a handful. Bringing it all up takes a lot of effort and everything has to happen at the same time. We decided to release the new album within a year of writing the new material; and recording; planning the release booking shows and everything surrounding that, really took a lot of effort. Suddenly, in the middle of it all, Elvis decided to quit for good. We are really sad that he’s not in Asteroid anymore, but we’re still friends, and I play with him in another project called Mörkla. But it’s still Elvis appearing on the album!
Being back in the road, on the other hand, is just pure pleasure. I guess we’re all in it to play live. We’ve all missed the fans. It feels like we have a long term relationship with them and it feels great to see them again! So everything combined, 2016 has been a turbulent, but a really awesome year.
It doesn't translate as turbulent on the record; in fact, it's a very focused and direct album. You took quite a long break between albums II and III. Has much changed in the way bands need to operate?
Thanks. Well, we’d never compromise with the song writing. And, we’ve always been very careful when we’re putting the album together. The total composition is important, and it’s written as a whole album, not just separate songs. Therefore, we hope that people also listen to is as a whole! I wouldn’t say the ways have changed in general; but we had to change the way to write and record the album. As I said, we decided right away to release a new album within a year, after the reunion. So, the process of writing and recording was really fast. We even wrote the last song, Pale Moon, first on the album, while in the studio. We had even started taking the mics down! Previously, we let the music grow over a longer period, jamming back, and forth, and even play the songs live a few times. Playing songs live will change them constantly, giving them a closer live nerve. I will admit that seeing the songs from III live now, will be somewhat different from hearing them on the album.
Tell me a little bit about the processes you go through as a band when you're recording.
The recording procedure also changed because of the shorter recording span. Recording II was a completely different experience, spread out over maybe half a year. Back then, we recorded most of it live. This time around, we did more of a standard separated production; laying the drums first and then adding each instruments and the vocals last. Personally, not at all a favorite way of doing music, but it was also a new and rewarding experience.
What were you listening too whilst you recorded the album? Does that ever influence your sound?
I think the three of us have a wide variation of musical influences, and that probably affects the essence of our sound. It has always been like that and we let our sound evolve around the musicians in the band, rather than clinging on to some assumption of what Asteroid should sound like. I wouldn’t be surprised if the sound changes somewhat now when we’re adding Jimmi Kohlsheen to the mix, instead of Elvis. The foundation for all of us is, of course, classic late 60’s and early 70’s rock, with loads of obscure bands many people not of heard of. I, personally, listen to pretty much all kind of music from all kinds of progressive music, though hardcore and black metal, to old American blues and Swedish folk and jazz. Professionally, I’ve listen to around a thousand new artists every year, for a bunch of years, and I usually try to have an open mind to new music whilst never getting stuck in certain genres. As much as all music builds on many layers of historical efforts, so is new music.
Do you have plans to tour the album wider; you appear to be touring extensively already?
We started touring right away. Playing live is our main objective and we probably wouldn’t be in it at all if it wasn’t for the live side of it. Doing the last tour through Europe and meeting old friends and seeing familiar faces really gets to you. We met people that have been with us as long as the rest of us in the band, dressed in band shirts from tours back in like 2008! So, for us this is a long term relationship that we want to keep up! As for the future, we will keep on playing as much as possible. I think we will put much effort in establishing the new sound with Jimmi and make new music right away! I can’t say when that will be released, but it will not take another six years!
It must be a great opportunity for newer bands to tour with a band of your stature and reputation. Are there any new bands out there we should keep an eye on?
I love seeing new bands! I think I’ve seen pretty much all of the bands we’ve played with over the years. Both to get in live mood for my own sake, but mostly to see what kind of stuff they do. I have a big respect of all musicians and artists making their own music and I try to help with advice and tips if I can. On the last tour, we had the German band Limestone Whale with us for almost all of the tour. They were really cool and helpful guys and they were constantly picking our brains for advice! We were all glad to help out with what we could. Furthermore, check out Danish 'The Boy That Got Away' and Finnish 'Death Hawks'. They are really cool, upcoming bands and also great people!
Do you have any favorite albums of the year?
I’d go with ‘Nucleus’ from our fellow Örebro rockers in Witchcraft.
Great hearing from you Johannes; Happy New Year to you all!
Svvamp's debut for RidingEasy Records was joy to listen to from the very first time. They somehow managed to record a classic blues rock album and make it sound contemporary. It's an album with a warm sound that demands repeat plays. I caught up with the band to ask how 2016 had been for them...
Hey! Thanks for speaking with me; how has 2016 been for you?
2016 has been great! We're really proud and happy to be a part of the RidingEasy crew. We got a new family member in the band and we took a short break to focus on some new songs
RidingEasy have had a good year; they've put out some really interesting records. How did you become involved with them?
A friend came to one of our shows in Stockholm and made a Snapchat-clip of us playing. Later, she told us RidingEasy had picked it up and suddenly, we were talking on the phone. It was pretty wild; we couldn't believe it at first!
When did you start recording the album?
We've been playing together for nearly 5 years now and have been making demos and recordings ever since. The album really is a mix of places and time during a 2-3 year period. We switched rehearsal rooms A LOT during the recording, that kind of dragged out the recording process, but we also took our time to really try out different recording techniques.
I'm reluctant to use the word "retro" but the albums' sound certainly has a vintage feel to it; these songs wouldn't be out of place on some of the great rock albums from the 70s. Were you conscious of your influences whilst recording?
We definitely wanted to tribute our inspirations from that time on the album. We recorded the album with very few overdubs and live on to tape; that way we captured the songs quickly and while they were still fresh.
Now that the record has been released, do you take it out on tour or do you start thinking about writing the next one?
We're taking a short break at the moment but we're hoping to take the album on the road next year. We're using this time to get some work done on our new songs and ideas.
How easy is it to tour outside of your home country? A lot of the bands I’ve spoken to find hard to get out to tour overseas.
To tell the truth we haven't done any touring outside of Sweden... yet. We'll see what the future has in store.
What have you been listening to this year? Any favourite records from 2016?
Pretty much every release from RidingEasy! Brant Bjorks "Tao of the devil", our buddies Maidavale "Tales of the wicked west" and probably some other great music we can't think of right now!
Ripple music have had an incredible year, they seem to have found a bottomless well of Hard Riffing bands that truly know how to rock like Mthafcka's ! The Judge came out of nowhere for me, i'd somehow missed the original ep release, the debut however didn't pass me by and the second the first track 'The Witcher' kicked off, i knew i was in for something special. The band play a mean blend stoner psych with a defiant 70s rock edge and have a reputation as a formidable force live; I caught up with Bass player Kevin Jones to find out how the bands year had been.
Hi Kevin! Good to hear from you! How has 2016 been for you and the band?
Really good! We finally put out our debut album that's been in the works for 5ish years and did our first tour ever!
That seems like long time to get a record out; were there hurdles?
We were just young. No money. These past few years since we got Tyler, our singer, we really busted ass to get ourselves in the right gear to get it going.
I hear you have a follow up record ready to go; have you written this one from scratch?
Yes. We recorded it quite a while ago and had it pretty much ready going into the studio.
What can you tell me about the new album? Will it be different to the Debut?
To me, it's a lot more straight forward rock n roll. We stepped out of our comfort zone a little bit. It's a lot more in your face! So far, we're thinking about an early 2017 release; nothing specific yet. Your debut came out on Ripple. How did you get involved with them?
We put an EP on bandcamp for free, and my guess would be somehow the news spread to California about us. Todd got in contact with us with an offer to join Ripple and we couldn't resist. We had to take it!
You have a reputation as a great live act; are there plans to tour outside of the States?
We've had invitations to play festivals overseas, but money seems to be the big thing keeping us from going. Plane tickets aren't cheap.
Well, It’d be great to see you here in the UK, for sure. What road plans do you have for 2017?
Probably just stick around here. Do more small tours in some of the bigger cities around us; Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Memphis, and so on.
Do you have any favourite albums from this year?
Red Fang just put out their Album "Only Ghosts" that I've been jamming to. Wolfmothers newest album is in my current iPod rotation.
Are there any bands you recommend keeping an eye out for in 2017?
One band we played with on tour down in San Antonio, Texas was Smokey Mirror, those guys ripped, Thrashy doom metal. It was mind blowing! There's a band local to us named Spacetrucker. Super heavy riffage, they're kinda like Red Fangs little brother.
Oh! Let me throw one more album out there! A band Called Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats. I love their new album!
Good Speaking to you Kevin! Happy New Year to you all!
JuJu is the latest incarnation of Sicily-based Gioele Valenti. Lay Llamas, Herself, used to designate objects, such as amulets, and spells used ceremoniously in West Africa. Valenti broadens the scope of ‘juju’ to encompass a mix of rhythmic psychedelia, ancient myths and Mediterranean neo-paganism. Through the music, JuJu tells the story of an on-going exodus from Africa that, more often than not, ends in ignored tragedies at sea; ‘a total defeat for humanity.’ Inspired by sources of Earth magic and soil secrets, JuJu strives to turn that defeat into a celebration of spirit and modern psychedelia.
I really couldn't explain what JuJu is, any better than that. Released earlier this year on Sunrise Ocean Bender to widespread acclaim, this is an album that took on so much and delivered in spades. If anything deserves an accolade for the most original and unexpected record of the year; its this.
I was fortunate enough to meet Gioele this year in Manchester, sadly the meeting was cut short following some very sad news. We reconnected recently to talk about how this year has been following the release of JuJu.
Hey Gioele, good to hear from you again. How has 2016 been?
2016 has been very intense and rich of experiences. JuJu's debut was out in May, and from that moment everything has gone very fast. I put together a band; I knew a lot of people who appreciated the project, and I've been witness of great changes in my own country. The very sad moment, at the end of the tour, with Josefin Ohrn supporting Goat -
I was in Manchester - I sadly lost my father, after a long sickness. Different opposite emotions. You released JuJu quite early on this year, when did you start recording it?
I started JuJu's recordings in 2015. In the beginning, just chaotic ideas, riffs and stuff like that... It was in June..., i was shocked, by images of people dying among waves, off the coasts of Sicily, it made an impression on me...Then all it became more systematic, and within July the concept of the disc was ready. Five months later I finished the recordings, and in May 2016 was out.
There's a lot of different styles musically; was it a difficult album to record?
Yes, it s a sort of tribute to all marvellous music I grew up with. It was a natural process, not so difficult to record... But it was quite hard to keep all those influences together, in a credible way. To put in the same Ideal space, Bart Bacharach, Joy Division and Peter Kolosimo; It's something strange to achieve.
It's certainly a unique record, I haven’t heard anything else like it this year. Have you started writing again?
Thank you. Yes, I am currently working at new JuJu's album...
You’re signed to Sunrise Ocean Bender, they’ve had a really interesting output of late, how did you become involved with them?
Very simple, SOB was the first label I sent JuJu, they had very great bands, I really liked the esthetic of the site, and they appreciated the music so much, they said "that was damn good!". A very traditional way to get involved!
How well has the JuJu album been received?
JuJu had a very incredible welcoming from journals, netzines and people! Everyone is enthusiastic, and it was something I didn t expect. I mean, I was conscious of the potential on it, but you know, I didn expect that the concept beneath it could interest so many people, and I am proud of the work.
The last time we met you were playing as part of Josefin Öhrn and The Liberation and Touring with Goat. How did you become involved with that tour?
The reason that I've been touring with Josefin and Goat, is due, in some sense, to the resonance of JuJu's debut. Josefin and JuJu share the same love for music and art, and we started to follow each other on Twitter. Then we listened to each other works, they liked my own so much, and we talked about a possible collaboration. One month later, they invited me to join the band for the tour. Shortly, we became friends. The rest is history.
You've certainly been on the road a lot this year; what plans have you got for 2017?
I have planned a tour of Italy in February. I am waiting for some dates in UK as well... and I'm currently working to the second album (as Herself, my folk side-project) with ex The Steppes John Fallon and his friends. We'll see what happens. 2017 will see a new JuJu, that's for sure, and it'll be great!
I think its been a strong year for new music; what have you enjoyed listening to?
To tell the truth, I didn't have much time for listening to new tunes...But, I liked so much of the new stuff by Alcest (Kodama),
Meshuggah (The Violent Sleep Of Reason) and the reissue of The Steppes (Drop Of The Creature)... as you can see, not strictly psych ;)...Oh! new Egone is also good!
It's great speaking with you again Gioele. Happy new year, Im really looking forward to hearing the next record.
Listen live Online as it happens HERE or you can catch the encore playback at American Station Grip Of Delusion HERE on Sunday 11th at 10amEST/4pmCET/3pmUK.
This month features some of my favourite tracks of the year as well as some brand new for 2017.
For now you can hear last Decembers end of year show with tracks chosen by friends of AHM.
Enjoy !
Intro
Turn Me on Dead Man - El Schitzo
Hills - Bring Me Sand
Mugstar - Axis Modulator
Rhyton - Shank Raids
Voice of the Seven Thunders - Set Fire to the Forrest
Niagara - Kattarh
Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced
Box - Zekes
Dead Meadow - Indian Bones
The Dukes of Stratosphear - 25 O'Clock
Jonathan Morgan - Days of Euphoria
Rainbows are Free - Are You Dead
Megaritual - ∞
Sergeant Thunderhoof - Enter the Zigurat
Colour Haze - Roses
Jacco Gardner - Find Yourself
Birth of Joy - Three Day Road
The Liquid Scene - Hey Moondog ( See the God of Odin Come )
Love - You Set the Scene
Chocolate Watch Band - it's all over now Baby Blue
AC/DC - Ride On
Here's another LP that came out in the early part of the year and has stayed with me ever since. The Spacelords are a German trio with a reputation for translating their massive live sound into their brilliant studio recordings. Coming in at 43 minutes and only 3 tracks long, Liquid Sun is a mammoth record. The riffs are heavy; the vibe is trippy and band are on brilliant form. This is how Heavy Psychedelic Stoner Spacerock is done!
Good to hear from you Marcus; how has this year been for The Spacelords?
2016 has been (and still is) a very good year for the Spacelords! We've played many festival and club gigs this year and met a lot of new fans and friends. Our album 'Liquid Sun' sold very well. The 3rd edition was released recently; we're now working on a new album as well.
Sounds like a busy year? What can you tell me about the process of writing and recording Liquid Sun?
Normally Hazi comes up with some nice guitar melodies, we go jamming around these melodies and record them. After listening to those recordings, we take the best parts of the jam and develop them further. Mostly one idea bears another and so on; at the end we arrange the tune and practice it until it's ready to record in the studio.
Great to hear it's on its third issue already; how long have you been with Tonzonen Records?
Tonzonen Records had released the second edition of the 'Synapse' album, in Spring 2015. It was actually originally released by Sulatron records. It sold very well and they wanted to continue with us; we also feel very comfortable with Tonzonen.
The album is 3 tracks long; Black Hole is 22 minutes long. How do you go about writing a song of that length?
We didn't plan to write a 22min song.
It happened that we had so many ideas following the basic melody and at the end it was that long! We were surprised ourselves because it felt like it was 6 or 8 minutes when playing. Even when we play it live people feel the same, they never think this song is 22minutes long!
Yeah, I agree it really doesn't feel that long on the LP too. Your social media shows that you're touring a lot, do you play much outside of Germany?
We have toured outside of Germany, but not too much yet. We are thinking of touring the UK next year.
Thats great news! How far in to the new album are you and what can you tell us about it?
One track of of the new album has already been recorded, the other tracks are almost ready.
We plan to go in the studio end of January.
What have you been listening to whilst preparing the new record?
All 3 of us are deeply into music and there's a wide range of music styles that we like; mostly we love psychedelic music and garage-rock, kraut-rock and so on. We don't think that our listening behaviour has anything to do with what we compose. The ideas just pop up in our heads as we play! We believe this is a good thing, cos we don't want to sound like anyone else, of course!
Do you have any favourite albums from 2016 and are there any bands to look out for in 2017?
Yeah, there are many, for example, the album 'Stockholm Marathon' from Kungens Män. We had a small tour with them in September this year. Nice band, great music and loads of fun!
We dig bands like Giöbia, Vibravoid, Papir, Yuri Gargarin, Earthless, Causa Sui, Electric Moon...we could go on, there's just too many good bands out there!
I've really enjoyed a lot of those records too, especially the Causa Sui and Kungens Män albums; it’d be great to see them and Liquid Sun reach wider audiences.
Thank you Geoff, that would be really great. And thanks for your support! We very much appreciate people like you, you're doing great work.
Thanks for catching up Marcus and send my best wishes to the band! Happy new year! And to you too ! We're going to perform our new songs live tomorrow, and the day after, as a last test. After a few more rehearsals we'll be ready to record them; we promise a pleasant flight with the new album!
