in which the parson red heads bring back the sounds of the 60's

so, i had a phase in my youth in which i was, while reveling in everything fabulous about 80's music, also somewhat secretly in love with music from the 60's and 70's. i had a vast record collection at my disposal, thanks to my parents, and nearby record stores that fed my habit. i spent many a happy hour locked in my bedroom listening to these albums while staring at the jackets.

i mention this because when i first heard the parson red heads, a psych-folk group from oregon/los angeles, i was instantly transported to this time, vibe-wise.



filled with sunny strains of 60's style folk rock and sounding like a love child between simon and garfunkel and fleetwood mac, the parson red heads aren't who you'd go to when you've just broken up with the love of your life and you feel like throwing yourself a pity party. instead, they're the sort of band you're going to put on during a long drive with friends or while you're relaxing. they're the sort of cheery group that makes you remember that music isn't all about doom and gloom or best day of your life extravaganzas - that it's also the soundtrack to all the other days in-between.

their music is that of sweet nostalgia.

have a listen to burning up the sky, which is delicious with its use of harmonica:

we are living, living in the new
age, living in the new age
kicking up the dust
we are living, living in the new
age, living in the new age
kicking up the dust
oh, we're burning up the sky
oh, we're burning up the sky

hold my hand, son
lead me through the forest
lead me through the forest
when i'm dead and gone
hold my hand, son
lead me through the forest
lead me through the forest
when i'm dead and gone
oh, we're burning up the sky
oh, we're burning up the sky
oh, we're burning up the sky
oh, we're burning up the sky

everything seems different now
the world has fallen asleep somehow
the world has fallen asleep somehow
i will not get it back
everything seems different now
the world has fallen asleep somehow
the world has fallen asleep somehow
i will not get it back

(mp3) burning up the sky by the parson red heads

here's an oldish video (2008) from amoeba records of time is running out:



want to see the parson red heads live? check out one of their upcoming dates:

June 1 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA *
June 2 - Rio Theatre - Vancouver, BC *
June 4 - Miss Studios - Portland, OR *
June 7 - Hi-Dive - Denver, CO *
June 8 - Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS *
June 9 - Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL *
June 11 - Rivoli - Toronto, ON *
June 12 - Il Motore - Montreal, QB *
June 13 - The Skinny Pancake - Burlington, VT
June 15 - Space 538 - Portland, ME *
June 16 - Brighton Music Hall - Boston, MA *
June 17 - City Winery - NYC, NY *
June 18 - Knitting Factory - Brooklyn, NY *
June 19 - Iota - Washington, DC *
June 20 - Kings Barcade - Raleigh, NC *
June 21 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA *
June 23 - The Bottletree - Brimingham, AL *
June 25 - Stubbs JR - Austin, TX *
June 27 - Plush - Tucson, AZ
June 29 - Echo - LA, CA *
June 30 - New Parish - Oakland, CA *
July 1 - Henry Miller Library - Big Sur, CA *
July 2 - Center for the Arts - Grass Valley, CA *

w/ Alela Diane & Wild Divine *

yearling, their upcoming LP, will be released on august 16 on arena rock recording company records. head over to the band's facebook page to learn more about the group!