Hailing from San Francisco, the Mecca of psychedelia, Electric Shepherd harnesses the powers from bands that came before (The Grateful Dead, Blue Cheer, Quicksilver Messenger Service) to create hazy, time-warped psychedelic rock.

Led by guitarist/vocalist Mark Nelsen, the Bay Area natives act as a jam band to produce slow burning, intricate tracks featuring focused guitar riffs, wandering bass lines, and romping percussion as the musical foundation for Nelsen’s soaring, reverbed vocals.

Today, we are excited to premiere “Imitation Gardens (Pt. 1),” the trio’s latest offering off its forthcoming LP, The Imitation Garden, which is slated for a December 20 release. The nearly five-minute-long track begins as a triumphant instrumental intro that quickly builds onto itself to create a cohesive, blues-tinged melody. About a minute-and-a-half in, Nelsen’s falsetto croons softly come in to complete the song.

Listen to/download “Imitation Gardens (Pt. 1)” here, and to all you San Franciscan readers, be sure to check out Electric Shepherd’s record release show on Thursday, December 20 at The Brick & Mortar!

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