Psiconautas

“From space to earth” is the distinctive phrase adopted by a musical group calling itself “Psiconautas,” which proposes a style that does not limit itself to preconceived and arbitrary genres. With its music, it suggests the expansion of the person’s exterior surroundings and interior space, allowing for the concept of a separate and complete universe within each of us. That is what Psiconautas seek to explore. Its members are Lester Mon and Toño Galaxia, both founding members of the Puerto Rican punk rock scene, and, since 2003, Gadget, another pioneer of electronic music concepts in the country. The journey began and the end of the 1980’s, playing in various bands throughout Puerto Rico, and merging the musical movements developing in San Juan (the country’s capital) and in the Western side of the island. This was important, as it resulted in a more diversified scene, with more experimentation by artists in all genres and greater use of Spanish in original works. Psiconautas formed in 1995, mixing together numerous musical genres and continually interacting with local artists. (They currently record under their own label, Mushroom Demotapes, which was started by Lester Mon to release his material, maintaining a “do-it-yourself” ideal.) Influences include psychedelic, punk and space rock band such as Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Bauhaus, The Cure, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Sonic Youth and, more recently, Mercury Rev, Add N to X, Mogwai and M83. Psiconautas’ style suggests Post Punk with a psychedelic flair, cultivated in Puerto Rico’s western area. They use vintage sounds processed to achieve an “antique high technology” sound, as well as analog instruments and visual effects. With this they seek to explore surrealism and the perception of alternate realities. They are one of the first “cult band” in his country, always the atmosphere and music in their shows result in a profound connection with the audience. Since 2004, Psiconautas have been active in the Puerto Rican musical scene, including collaborations with some of the best local talent in music and art. In 2005 they celebrate the release party for their first production, a self-titled EP and the video for the song “Incierta Realidad,” at the San Juan Hard Rock Café; and performed a live set in the show “Frecuencias Alternas” (Alternate Frequencies) in Radio Universidad (the University Puerto Rico college radio station), as well as appearing in “Stereo,” the country’s first modern music festival, and in the First Urban Culture Fair. They received the 2006 IXA Award for new Rock Artist, in a ceremony celebrated at the Puerto Rico Museum of Art. An appearance at the Kinky release party in Nacoteque, Brooklyn, New York; being selected for the compilation “787” from Carbono Music and Hot Topic; and their first tour of the Central and Eastern United States, beginning at the “Empty Bottle” in Chicago and finishing with a performance at the “Pop Noise Festival” in Philadelphia, rounded out their achievements for 2006. The next year was a good for us. We played frequently with a myriad of local talent. In the Art scene, we performed Giratorio de Ekspresion at the Arecibo Fine Arts School also at the historic monument Casa Cruz de la Luna in San German, produced an audiovisual recital called Años Luz with the Intergalactic Exploratory Alliance (multimedia art collective including Matotumba, Jorge Castro and many others local talents). The same summer in New York we played with our shoegazer and post-punk party producers The Loveless Group at Delancey and LAMC’s (Latin Alternative Music Conference) showcase in D'Antigua Bar. Closing the year we took advantage of Scion Next Fest’s main stage to premiere our retro futuristic Sci-Fi visuals. Entering 2008 we were chosen for Jack Daniels Studio No 7 tour around the island as part of the 7 best locals rock bands. Afterwards we were opening Main stage act for the first Indie Rock Music Fest located on the Aguadilla Airport. Recently we have been working on a split CD with UnReal under the indie label Carbono and also producing the new tracks for our own label Mushroom Demo Tapes as a complete Cd.