Scene Swap: Blind Shake on Chicago Band Outer Minds
Quick, close your eyes and free associate. Picture what comes to mind when I say the following word: Chicago!
Now what did you picture? Probably a lawless, gypsy camp of a city, where crime and disease flow with gutter water and the only music you hear comes from the ping and cling sound of a bouncing nickel the amputee children chase down the crumbling street—the left over change from some cannibalized traveler who still had something left after the tolls. Among the carnage you see a rotten apple. As it opens itself before your eyes you notice something inside. You move closer. A seed. One perfect seed that refused to rot. Open your eyes.
The seed you instinctively pictured is Outer Minds, Chicago’s rising 60’s psychedelic pop band. What is impressive about these people is how well they can sing and harmonize during their live set while playing complex melodies. I am normally not a melodies and harmonies guy, but the payoff is worth all of the weaving. You may put their set list in any order, and you’ll still find that each song is better than the last. Three All-Conference singers, a twelve string Danelectro, and a Monks-meets-Manzarek keyboard player. It’s good stuff. Check them out in Austin on March 18th at Beerland if you are going to SXSW. You can also hear the recorded versions of their songs on Bandcamp and or order the vinyl from Hozak. I hope you enjoy them.
-Mike Blaha – The Blind Shake
Writer / co-founder
