Hearing the phrase “Austin Psych Fest” might generate images in your mind of tie-dye wearing or hula-hoop dancing folks longing for the age of Woodstock. While a few attendees could be pigeon-holed as such, the festival draw was much more defined by its members’ affected stillness. Heels tapped and people swayed, but jumping and dancing was surprisingly limited for a festival whose name might make the more conservative folks in your life a bit uneasy. It was going to take a little…

What can’t be said of Austin Psych Fest? It’s clear this outing of psychedelic proportions is of its own world – a world that inhabits creatures of color, of sound, of intellectual properties, and spew tag lines like get-me-another-expletive-beer/swig/toke while I bask in this Austin sun. Day two brought the rain – a monsoon that created shower dances, a lightning storm that had no power over the crowd and epic shower shows with musicians who brought the heat. But before…

In a town that generally still seems to be navigating the musical hangover of SXSW, Austin Psych Fest is a welcome respite for those who aren’t ready for the festival living to be over. Instead of the apparent relentless and overcrowded feel that dominates during the former, Austin Psych Fest is a niche experience for the heavy fans who appreciate the more specific and interior vibe. And the bands agree. Montreal based Suuns (pronounced sOOns) just came off of SXSW…

Austin is known for its uniqueness, but despite the gab that surrounds the lively city, strip it down to its roots, it is just a normal place. A normal place that constantly features brilliant musicians at unassuming bars, sells Lonestar for $1.00, makes delicious salt lick BBQ, brings you SXSW and holds a festival once a year under the moniker “Psych Fest.” Yes, the psychedelic train has arrived (some question if it ever really left) and it has plopped itself…