Psychedelia: Music, Mushrooms and Mixed Opinions
You may hear the term psychedelic music and immediately think of LSD and drug-induced creativity, but the genre is so much more than the drug stereotypes that some associate with it. Yes, psychedelic music began as a subculture for those who used drugs such as LSD and various mushrooms, however it’s an incredibly diverse genre with so much to offer you. If you’ve ever been skeptical to start listening, I promise you that I’m about to change your mind.
Arguably, the genre emerged in the 1960s with the release of the debut album from the 13th Floor Elevators in 1966. The band was created by Roky Erickson in Austin, Texas. Their name was inspired by the idea that most tall US buildings did not have a designated thirteenth floor, as well as ‘m’ (standing for marijuana) being the thirteenth letter in the alphabet. This incredibly creative name cemented the 13th Floor Elevators into psychedelic musical history forever. Their first hit song was titled “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (which I promise you is incredibly addicting to listen to). The track features a twangy bass line and hypnotic vocals, as well as incredibly detailed drum patterns. This wild, all-over-the-place style is very common in psychedelic music and it takes you on a mind-bending trip. Other common features of psychedelic music include frequent changes in time signature and very complex song structures. After their debut album, psychedelic fever spread across the music scene with its bright colours and wild patterns, all common images that come to mind when you think of the 60s. The genre was truly defining for the decade. It also influenced the fashion, art, and music that we know of today.
Another notable band on the psychedelic music scene was, in fact, Pink Floyd. They’re one of the biggest names associated with the genre and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. One of their most prominent psychedelic songs is “Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast” (it’s in the name, really), which was released in 1970. The song is almost thirteen minutes long, featuring the strange sounds of a man speaking, a typical breakfast soundscape such as pouring milk, and even an organ. The diverse range of sounds and instruments in the song make it a true psychedelia staple. Truly as strange and trippy as it gets for Pink Floyd. The track is pure genius in creating an unusual but sense-heightening atmosphere – almost like ASMR, if you will. Furthermore, the song cover is a just cow in a field, only adding to the weirdness that this song creates. Thanks to both the 13th Floor Elevators and Pink Floyd, psychedelia made its way into mainstream music culture, influencing bands such as the Beach Boys, with Pet Sounds (1966), and even the Beatles, in famous tracks such as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967).
So, what does all of this have to do with 60s drug culture? LSD (also known as lysergic acid diethylamide – more commonly referred to as ‘acid’) is a drug that causes the user to enter a hallucinogenic state, causing altered thoughts and distorting a sense of their surroundings and reality. LSD became extremely mainstream during the 1960s, hugely influencing musicians’ song writing, image, and stage presence. Many musicians used bright colours and complex songs to exactly reflect their experiences whilst on acid. In fact, many argue that the drugs cannot be separated from the music when it comes to psychedelia. A famous example of the rise of LSD in the 60s can be found in the book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, which detailed the lives of those who based their lives on LSD, lacing drinks such as Kool-Aid to spark their creativity. Whilst drug-use was a key element to creativity when psychedelic music began, I would strongly advise against taking LSD now if you’re dreaming of becoming a world-famous psychedelic artist – the elements of psychedelic music can easily be recreated without the acid trip.
Interestingly, when I was doing my research for this article, one of the most common Google searches on psychedelia was ‘is psychedelic music dangerous?’ – this statement pretty much sums up the stigma that surrounds the genre. I can assure you that, no, listening to psychedelic music is not dangerous at all. Simply listening to a song will not cause you to hallucinate – in fact, it’s great to broaden your knowledge of music by listening to a variety of genres. On the other hand, taking LSD is dangerous – an example of this is Pink Floyd’s frontman Syd Barrett, who struggled with the pressure of fame and developed mental illness as a result of taking large amounts of LSD. These dangerous effects are important to keep in mind. The drug and the music are incredibly different for the average music fan. The music is not dangerous, but the drug can be, thus explaining the stigma and uncertainty that generally surrounds psychedelia.
Where is psychedelic music today? So far, I’ve talked a lot about its history and prominence during the 1960s, but the genre is still alive in 2020 for the modern listener. In fact, you might be surprised to find out that Tame Impala is actually classed as a psychedelic rock band! Their sound seems influenced by elements that were heavily used during the 60s psychedelic rock explosion, such as an abundant use of reverb. Spotify even has a ‘Modern Psychedelia’ playlist, which I used to help inspire me whilst writing this article. If I sparked your interest in psychedelic music, you should definitely check it out. One new psychedelic artist in this playlist that I particularly liked was Martian Subculture, an Irish musician who creates addicting lo-fi psychedelic rock music. His music experiments with strange sounds, vocals, and guitars which almost lull you into a dreamy state. This only goes to show that the genre is still popular today, and will continue to inspire many new artists. It’s never been easier to start listening, with tons of new psychedelic artists at your fingertips on Spotify.
Despite the stigma and reluctancy that many have to approach psychedelic music, the genre is incredibly unique and can expand your musical horizons to songs and artists you may have never considered adding to your playlist before. From the use of unusual sounds and non-traditional instruments, psychedelic music will take you down a road of dreamy melodies and almost relaxing vocals. So, put on your most florescent, headache-inducing, tie-dye outfit and go-go boots, turn on some psychedelic music, and get ready to jam like you’re at a gig in 1966.
Image Credit: Thumbnail image- Consequence of Sound, Image 1- Paulina Alvarez, Image 2- Pink Floyd, Image 3- Martian Subculture