Psychedelphia

***JANUARY 2010 HIGH TIMES UNSIGNED BAND OF THE MONTH***

Psychedelphia is a four-piece psychedelic / progressive jazz-fusion band based in the outskirts of Philadelphia, PA. Although not classified as a 'jam band,’ they have quickly taken the jam scene by surprise, incorporating elements few have thought to bring to the table. As many new listeners are finding that Psychedelphia is one of the best groups in the jam band scene, it’s no surprise their fan base is growing rapidly.


While these fans, who have dubbed themselves as "Illes" (yes, that's Psychedelphia Illies), await Psychedelphia's highly anticipated full-length studio record – due for release in the spring of 2010, many live bootlegs have made their way out as far as San Francisco. These "Illies" continue to follow this group all over the Northeast for late night/sunrise sets that demonstrate the band’s ability to take music in a new direction.


A tour is in the works to support the upcoming release, and fans will not be disappointed with Psychedelphia’s live show. The energetic and improvisational performances are certain to leave audiences wanting more.


Psychedelphia is a group dedicated to carrying on the tradition of bands like the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, Phish, and Bela Fleck. Keep on the lookout for Psychedelphia in your area in 2010.



***JANUARY 2010 HIGH TIMES UNSIGNED BAND OF THE MONTH***



Psychedelphia is a four-piece psychedelic / progressive jazz-fusion band based in the outskirts of Philadelphia, PA. Although not classified as a 'jam band,’ they have quickly taken the jam scene by surprise, incorporating elements few have thought to bring to the table. As many new listeners are finding that Psychedelphia is one of the best groups in the jam band scene, it’s no surprise their fan base is growing rapidly.


While these fans, who have dubbed themselves as "Illes" (yes, that's Psychedelphia Illies), await Psychedelphia's highly anticipated full-length studio record – due for release in the spring of 2010, many live bootlegs have made their way out as far as San Francisco. These "Illies" continue to follow this group all over the Northeast for late night/sunrise sets that demonstrate the band’s ability to take music in a new direction.


A tour is in the works to support the upcoming release, and fans will not be disappointed with Psychedelphia’s live show. The energetic and improvisational performances are certain to leave audiences wanting more.


Psychedelphia is a group dedicated to carrying on the tradition of bands like the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, Phish, and Bela Fleck. Keep on the lookout for Psychedelphia in your area in 2010.



*Band photo copyright Dan Savage Photography

Psychedelphia is:
Alden Parker: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

?Kenn Mogel: Lead Guitar, Vocals?

John Olsen: Bass?
Adam Pasqueal: Percussion

Visit Psychedelphia at:
www.psychedelphia.com
www.myspace.com/psychedelphiamusic - High Times Magazine

Brace yourselves, boys and girls: when Psychedelphia decides to go off on one of their sonic excursions, it can be mind-bending. Me, I found it easier to imagine some of the cuts on the band’s newly-released Paradigm as the soundtracks to little mini-movies. Take “Asterisk” for example: first there’s the establishment of the opening happy scene (choose your location and theme) where everybody’s just smiling and going about their business. Around 1:20, there’s a little wisp of unrequited love, but nothing debilitating. The first hint of trouble comes just after the 2:00 mark where our hero/heroine first senses that all may not be perfect, but he/she can’t put their finger/claw on what’s wrong. Suddenly something sinister rears its ugly head in the background (right around 3:35, just so you won’t be scared); but nobody else is paying attention! Look out! There’s a chase scene; some time travel; lost subway tokens … but then … at 7:06, Princess Zork finds the Key To All Things and is able to let the dancing gerbils from Uranus free! Yay! There’s even an appropriate closing credits-style section at the end to accompany you on your long walk up the isle. Wow.

Yep – Psychedelphia knows how to shape-shift and genre-morph, fo’ sure. At times, you might come close to accusing them of musical ADD, but if you put an ear to what’s happening, you can usually find the common thread that connects the various passages. And they’re versatile: they can do the spacey/loopy/how-are-they-ever-going-to-land-this-thing stuff (“Nano”) as well as breathe underwater courtesy of the air trapped inside big ol’ bass bubbles (“Submerged”).

There are slightly Phishy moments – or more accurately, Trey-meets-Rob-Barracco-era-Zen-Tricksters-and-the-whole-works-goes-to-Carnival moments (“Putcha”). Sometimes they’re content to glide along like a mellow Steve Kimock Band (“Mezza Luna”) and sometimes I think they just like to mess with your head (the impossible to count, let alone play, time shifts of “Bonnie X”).

In the end, just be happy and listen, knowing that there isn’t going to be a quiz. Psychedelphia simply wants you to have fun, boys and girls.

As a wise man once said a long time ago, “If you get lost, just listen to the music play.”

- Glide Magazine

Material: Imagine a headier version of Grateful Dead mixed with Dixie Dregs and Mahavishnu Orchestra, and you might get a hint of what Psychedelphia is all about. Most of their tunes are long, polyrhythmic instrumentals with the exception of one song, "Bonnie X," although even then, the vocals are relegated to a straight 4/4 section, which accounts for about 30 percent of the cut.

Musicianship: It can't be easy to keep those constantly fluctuating time signatures straight at all times, but Olsen and Pasqueal don't miss a beat supporting Mogel's rather beautiful and flowing guitar lines. Don't count Alden Parker out as a mere rhythm guitarist either---his chunky chord work often slips into parallel harmonies which shadow his lead man's riffs with surprising alacrity.

Performance: Although each of the tunes had a different feel (the excitement of the opener, "Please Be You," versus the Country meets Cape-Town rock style of "Catsup," or the funky whiteboy feel of "Pyton"), the songs, nonetheless, seemed to morph into one another rather than shock you with their variety. There was a definite "altered state of consciousness" ambience created by this band, reminiscent of some of the old pspychedelic bands of yore, which is good, and bad. Only on a couple of occasions did it seem as if the solo went on too long, but that's what progressive jambands are all about---the benefits are worth the risks. It would be nice to hear some more vocal parts in the music, Mogel's voice, though not virtuosic, is certainly as good as a Garcia or a Weir, and it might widen the audience for this kind of music. All in all, however, it was a highly enjoyable performance with thrilling moments and classy musicianship.

Summary: Psychedelphia's name kind of speaks for itself. Their music may not be for everyone, but those who like brain-teasers will revel in the multidimensional spaces created by these sounds. You don't have to pay close attention to appreciate the environmental maneuvers it achieves, but if you do, there is a special reward hidden deep within this sonic labyrinth for those who make it to the end.

~Henry Lewis - Music Connection Magazine

I got to sit down at Chris's Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia just as Psychedelphia was setting up shop. I was excited to check them out based on their name and venue alone, but I wasn't sure what variety of jazz/psychedelic music I was going to get. When they took the stage, what I ended up getting was a well-organized, tonally pleasing jam-band that managed to skirt past predictability without getting inaccessable. Think of a less over-ambitious Phish, with Greatful Dead major chord optimism and an occasional splash of King Crimson-esque segeuways and time signatures. Not willing to let these guys slip by, I cought up with lead guitarist Kenn Mogul after the show, for a chat.



MM: Who are all the band members? How long have you guys been playing together?
Kenn: Alden Parker plays rhythm guitar, John Olsen plays bass, Adam Pasqual plays drums. We’ve been together since last August.

MM: How did you guys get started?
Kenn: Alden is from Tennessee. Adam, John, and I are all from the Pottstown area in PA. I got back from a 7 month spiritual retreat. There was an open jazz jam at this venue called Chaplans. We played together at this weekly, free form jam session for a few weeks, and we decided to start working on original material in mid-August'08. Our HQ is this place called the Nuke Farm near the power plant in Limerick.

MM: What are your influences?
Kenn: We have all different influences. The most common amongst us is the Beatles. You probably would HEAR that as much from our finished result though. Alden’s big in to Widespread Panic, Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones, Phish… one of my biggest influences is Steve Kimmock. We have a heavy San Francisco, Denver influence, what we’re doing isn’t really don’t in Philadelphia.

MM: What’s the songwriting process like?
Kenn: I write 95% of the music. I write melodies in my head; I think every melody tells a story, so when I think of something, I write the melodies down with words in story form.

MM: If you don’t mind me asking, can you tell me a little bit about your 7 month spiritual retreat?
Kenn: I had just got out of the band Mogul’s Brew. Some people achieve a decent amount of success, then when the shit hit’s the fan, ya kinda go a little crazy. I sorta went the Jack Kaeroak route, Denver was the first stop. I wrote a lot of songs. Every player has to realize what they’re capable of... And then deal with the fear of what you’re capable of.


MM: Forgive the stereotypical question based on your guys sound an appearance, but… do guys, uh.. partake?
Kenn: That was a big part of the past for a few of us, but we’re all clean now and just enjoy a few beers.


MM: How long have you been playing guitar?
Kenn: I picked it up at ten, and eventually I dropped out of high school to tour with Face Down Angels. My family wasn’t thrilled, but they weren’t terrible about it either--they were just like, “you’ll learn…” and they’re right. I am learning. I know about a million ways to do it wrong, Pychedelphia is my attempt to do it right.


MM: Do you guys have any CD’s to offer?
Kenn: We record all our shows live. We have an EP that we recorded about a month after we started. We’re currently working on an LP that’s half live, half studio.


MM: Have any labels approached you guys?
Kenn: Yea, we’ve been approached a few times but we’re trying to keep it very DIY at the moment. On the horizon, we plan to look for a band to dour with on the east coast, then maybe head out west

Check out Psychedelphia at The Northstar Bar on June 12th, and visit them on:
Myspace
Psychedelphia.com - www.marginalminds.com

Psychedelphia
LIMERICK, PENN.
The Farms of Philadelphia
band whose name connotes psychedelic
P S YC H E D E L P H I A
I S A band whose name connotes psychedlic fusion music while paying tribute to its roots in the City of Brotherly Love. The initial members met via Craigslist, finding their
rhythm section at an open jam session in August 2008, says Alden Parker (rhythm guitar/vocals). The quintet draws on musical influ-
ences ranging from Tennessee bluegrass, Led Zeppelin and the
Grateful Dead to ‘70s and ‘80s jazz fusion. Psychedelphia procured its name from “a musical genre in the mid-‘90s that saw a bunch of indie bands coming out of Philly with a psychedelic touch,” says
Parker. “It’s eclectic and jazzy—there are highly composed areas intertwined with improvisational areas.” The band can often be found practicing on “The Nuke Farm,” an eight-acre parcel of land near a nuclear power plant outside of Philly where Parker resides.
Psychedelphia continually tours throughout the northeast and
Pennsylvania where sax player Elliot Levin, famous for his work
with Miles Davis, has been known to sit in for local gigs. And 2010 will see the group embarking on a cross-country tour in support of
its first full-length album, which drops this spring.
www.psychedelphia.com
Amy Jacques
- Relix Magazine

http:// - festivalfamily.com

Pyschedelphia - After Papadosio finished I headed towards the tent stage to catch some of Pyschedelpia’s set. I was tired and ready for bed but when a band has as cool a name as Pyschedelphia, they deserved to be checked out. After watching about half their set I can confirm the band does their name justice. Pyschedelphia's unique sound is somewhere between progressive and jam coupled with unconventional melodies. Trumpeter Willy Waldman also sat in with the band and provided some quality harmonies and melodic counterpoints to what the band was already bringing. I’m interested in seeing this band again.

~Greg Molitor - festivalfamily.com