The Psych Dawn Bands Beginning & Evolution

By Abel Perez

Practicing days before preforming. this shows how upand-coming bands prepare for big shows.

Nestled in the heart of Texas, Austin is known for its thriving music scene. For psychedelic bands, it’s a haven. From the legendary psych rock acts of the ‘60s, to the current underground psych scene, the history of psychedelic rock runs deep in the city, according to Zapot, who also goes by Topaz, lead singer for the Austin band Golden Dawn Arkestra. “The history of psychedelic rock here is deep,” Topaz said.

The roots of psychedelic rock can be traced back to the 1960s, when musicians used their sounds as a form of protest against the social and political norms of the time.

The genre is characterized by its use of distorted guitar riffs, trippy lyrics, and experimental instrumentation, often incorporating elements of folk, blues, and jazz.

“We look up to some Austin Bands for sure.

You see some bands and they make an impact on you and how you see the music, but people like Roky Erickson and Marley are some inspiration” Said Marco, singer for Psychic Love Child.

Austin has a reputation for being a creative hub, with an arts scene and a community of musicians and artists. Austin can help bands achieve their glory and rise to fame in many ways.

Topaz home studio where he produced music during the pandemic. This shows the diversity of tools he used to evolve his music

“The acceptance of something that’s out of the usual here is beautiful,” Topaz said.

The city’s culture and atmosphere encourages

Topaz producing music in his production room. Since he wasn;t able to leave his house during the pandemic he created his own studio room to create his art.

Golden Dawn Arkestra Badge. Topaz, Lead singer of Golden Dawn Arkestra.

Photographs by Abel Perez

Graphics by Abel Perez

Spring 2023 The Chord 21 fans in a meaningful way. As Topaz said, “Austin is really the perfect place for our band to be.” For Psychic Love Child band members like Parker Hernandez, Mathew Posey, Marcos Mateus, Zach Rojas, and Justin Zawiskie, the psych rock genre provides a platform for artistic expression, connection, and spreading a message of love and unity. “You can do whatever you want, which is beautiful,” said Parker Hernandez, Lead singer and guitarist for Psychic Love Child.

Topaz is passionate about sending messages and connecting with fans through music. “My favorite part about playing is creating an emotional response in people and connecting with people, and hopefully making the world a little bit of a better place and a little bit of a happier place,” he explained. “And, specifically with this project, with Golden Dawn, I like to try to bring a little bit of a message to the consciousness. Like trying to remind people to take care of their planet and their Earth, and take care of each other and stop fighting.”

For Topaz and his band, psychedelic rock is the perfect genre for delivering their message of love and unity.

Psychic Love Child, another band in the psychedelic rock scene, is drawn to the connection with their fans and the communal atmosphere that surrounds the genre. “Man, doing it with buds and friends, also the connection with other people that are listening to your take on a more modern, neo-psychedelic sound. “It’s gone from a 60’s dark theme to a more neopsych now and more synthesizers,” he said. One of the biggest changes in their sound has been the increased use of electronic instruments and loops. Topaz’s latest album, in particular, has a distinctly electro-disco feel.

“Playing psychedelic music comes with a certain freedom, because anything goes. you can do whatever you want, which is beautiful.

“We’ve got some loops and we’re even using those live, like some drum loops and stuff like that,” explained Topaz. “And, like I said, we’ll go back to the other stuff too. But that’s the main difference. Some loops, and more synthesizers, and some drum loops.”

Despite the changes in their music,” explained Zach, the bassist for Psychic Love Child. “Typically, I think we identify more with that type of crowd other than some other genres out there.”

For the Duel Band, the experience of making and listening to psychedelic music is transformative. “We really like how different it is, and for us as a band, we get taken into a different mindset when listening or even making psychedelic music,” said Tom Frank Duels guitarist and vocalist. Although many bands love their psych rock. They also go through many changes in their career. The sound of psychedelic rock has gone through significant evolution in recent years. The bands, known for their unique blend of rock and electronic music, has been experimenting with new sounds and techniques, resulting in a distinct change in their musical style.

Parker Hernandez, explained that the band’s earlier sound was heavily influenced by the dark themes of 1960s psychedelic rock. However, as they continued to experiment with different sounds, their music began to sound, Psychic Love Child emphasizes that the band’s enthusiasm for creating music remains the same. “When we sit down and write a song, we still have the same excitement,” said Mathew Posey, drummer for Psychic Love Child. One of the band’s biggest challenges has been finding a balance between their sounds. “We’re definitely trying to mix the old sound with the new sound,” said Topaz. “We want to keep some of the old guitar and drum sounds, but also incorporate the new sounds we’re experimenting with.”

The evolution of Psychic Love Child, Golden Dawn Arkestra, and Duel band sound is a reflection of the band’s creative growth and willingness to experiment with contemporary ideas. As they continue to evolve and develop their musical style, their fans can expect to hear a unique blend of old and new sounds that showcase the band’s versatility and passion for music.