New Weird America

New Weird America is a musical genre that emerged in the early 2000s, primarily in the United States. The genre is characterized by its eclectic blend of folk, psychedelic, and experimental music, and its emphasis on themes of nature, mysticism, and esotericism. The origins of New Weird America can be traced back to the 1960s and 70s, when a wave of psychedelic and folk music emerged in the United States. Artists such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young infused rock and roll with elements of folk, blues, and country music to create a unique sound that captured the spirit of the counterculture movement of the time. In the 1990s, a new generation of musicians began to emerge who were heavily influenced by these psychedelic and folk traditions. Bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel, The Olivia Tremor Control, and Beck blended elements of folk, punk, and electronic music to create a new sound that was both experimental and accessible. These artists were part of a larger movement known as “indie rock,” which was characterized by its DIY ethos and rejection of mainstream commercialism. However, while indie rock was primarily focused on creating music that was accessible to a mass audience, the artists who would become associated with New Weird America were more interested in exploring the outer limits of sound and expression. It was in the early 2000s that the term “New Weird America” began to be used to describe this emerging musical genre. The phrase was coined by journalist and critic David Keenan in a 2003 article for The Wire magazine, in which he described a new movement of musicians who were “exploring the mystical and visionary aspects of the American experience.” Keenan identified artists such as Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, and Animal Collective as being at the forefront of this movement, which he saw as a continuation of the psychedelic and folk traditions of the 1960s and 70s. These artists were often associated with the “freak folk” or “acid folk” sub-genres, which were characterized by their blend of traditional folk music with experimental and psychedelic elements. The New Weird America movement was also closely associated with the avant-garde and experimental music scenes that were emerging in cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Artists like Sun Araw, Gang Gang Dance, and White Rainbow were experimenting with electronic and synth-based soundscapes, and incorporating elements of noise and improvisation into their music. While New Weird America never became a mainstream phenomenon, it had a significant impact on the alternative music scene of the mid-2000s. Many of the artists associated with the movement went on to achieve commercial success, and their influence can be heard in the work of contemporary artists such as Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, and Bon Iver. However, the legacy of New Weird America can be seen not only in the music of these artists, but in the broader cultural shift towards a more holistic and ecologically-aware worldview. The movement was characterized by its emphasis on themes of nature, mysticism, and esotericism, and its rejection of the materialism and consumerism that dominated mainstream culture.

Joanna Newsom: A harpist and singer-songwriter, Joanna Newsom emerged as one of the leading figures of the New Weird America scene in the mid-2000s. Her music is characterized by its poetic lyrics, unconventional song structures, and whimsical instrumentation, which includes harps, accordions, and banjos. With critically acclaimed albums like Ys and Have One On Me, Newsom has gained a strong cult following and inspired a generation of indie folk musicians. Animal Collective: Formed in 2000, Animal Collective quickly became a critical darling of the New Weird America movement with their experimental blend of psychedelic rock, folk, and electronic music. Their live shows are known for their improvisational style and immersive audio-visual experiences. The group's seminal albums, Feels and Strawberry Jam, helped establish them as one of the most influential bands of the genre. Devendra Banhart: A Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter, Devendra Banhart's music blends folk, rock, and psychedelic influences. His unique voice and poetic lyrics helped him gain a following in the New Weird America scene, and he is often credited with helping to popularize the genre. With such acclaimed albums as Cripple Crow and Rejoicing in the Hands, Banhart has become one of the leading figures of the movement. Dirty Projectors: Known for their intricate harmonies and complex song structures, Dirty Projectors are one of the most inventive bands in the New Weird America scene. Led by singer and guitarist David Longstreth, the group has released critically acclaimed albums like Bitte Orca and Swing Lo Magellan that showcase their unconventional approach to indie rock. Ariel Pink: With a lo-fi sound that draws from psychedelia, punk, and pop, Ariel Pink has become a cult icon in the New Weird America scene. His early albums, like The Doldrums and Worn Copy, were recorded on cassette tapes and featured experimental song structures and off-kilter lyrics. Pink has since signed to a major label and expanded his sound, but he remains one of the most original and idiosyncratic artists in the genre. Grizzly Bear: With their lush harmonies and intricate instrumentation, Grizzly Bear have become one of the most respected bands in indie rock. Their music draws on a range of influences, from folk to avant-garde experimentalism, and their albums, including Veckatimest and Shields, have received widespread critical acclaim. The band's members have also collaborated with many of their New Weird America peers on various projects. Akron/Family: A quartet from the Catskills, Akron/Family's music blends folk, rock, and experimental elements. Their live shows are renowned for their improvisational nature and incorporate elements of dance, theatre, and performance art. With albums like Akron/Family and Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free, the band has established themselves as one of the most innovative and exciting acts in the genre. Black Moth Super Rainbow: A Pennsylvania-based band that combines psychedelic pop with elements of electronica and hip-hop, Black Moth Super Rainbow have become a cult favorite in the New Weird America scene. Their music is characterized by its use of vintage analog synths, vocoders, and unconventional song structures. With such acclaimed albums as Dandelion Gum and Cobra Juicy, Black Moth Super Rainbow have carved out a unique niche in the genre. Mount Eerie: Led by singer-songwriter Phil Elverum, Mount Eerie is a lo-fi experimental project that draws on folk, ambient, and experimental influences. Elverum's music has been described as intimate and haunting, and his lyrics often explore themes of mortality and loss. With albums like A Crow Looked at Me and Now Only, Mount Eerie has established themselves as one of the most devastatingly honest and emotionally powerful acts in the genre. Sun City Girls: Originally formed in the 1980s, Sun City Girls became one of the earliest groups associated with the New Weird America movement. Their music draws on a wide range of influences, including punk, jazz, Middle Eastern music, and psychedelia. The band's live performances were renowned for their improvisational nature and multimedia elements, including film and spoken word. Over the course of their career, Sun City Girls released over 50 albums and became one of the most prolific and experimental bands in the genre.

1. "Merriweather Post Pavilion" - Animal Collective 2. "Ys" - Joanna Newsom 3. "The Glow Pt. 2" - The Microphones 4. "Return to Cookie Mountain" - TV on the Radio 5. "Rainbows from Atoms" - Akron/Family 6. "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" - of Montreal 7. "Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti" - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti 8. "The Floodlight Collective" - Lotus Plaza 9. "Here Come the Waterworks" - Big Business 10. "Gorilla Manor" - Local Natives 11. "Logos" - Atlas Sound 12. "Sacred Bones Records" - Zola Jesus 13. "The Age of Adz" - Sufjan Stevens 14. "Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper" - Panda Bear 15. "The Terror" - The Flaming Lips 16. "Set 'Em Wild, Set 'Em Free" - Akron/Family 17. "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" - Neutral Milk Hotel 18. "Let them Eat Chaos" - Kate Tempest 19. "Yellow House" - Grizzly Bear 20. "Quaristice" - Autechre 21. "Plague Park" - Handsome Furs 22. "Andorra" - Caribou 23. "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" - Modest Mouse 24. "Civil Twilight" - The Weakerthans 25. "The Monitor" - Titus Andronicus

New Weird America is a music genre that was coined in the early 2000s. It is often characterized as a mix of psychedelic, Americana, and avant-garde music. While the genre has gained popularity in recent years, it has received mixed reviews from critics and music fans. One of the most notable books written on the subject is "Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of New Weird America" by Daniel Chamberlain. The book explores the origins of the genre, tracing its roots back to the 1960s counterculture movement. Chamberlain argues that New Weird America represents a return to the spirit of experimentation and creativity that defined that era. Another book that has made waves in the New Weird America community is "Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll" by Peter Bebergal. While not solely dedicated to the genre, the book explores the role of spirituality and the occult in music, and how New Weird America artists have drawn inspiration from these themes. Perhaps one of the most notable quotes about New Weird America comes from David Byrne of the Talking Heads. In a 2007 interview with NPR, Byrne said "There's a whole scene, I guess it's called New Weird America, that's got some really good stuff going on." Byrne went on to praise the genre's emphasis on experimentation and pushing boundaries. However, not everyone is a fan of New Weird America. In a review of a performance by one of the genre's most prominent artists, Joanna Newsom, critic Sasha Frere-Jones called the genre "an insular, narcissistic backlash." Frere-Jones argued that the genre was too focused on style over substance, and lacked the emotional depth of other genres. Despite the mixed reviews, New Weird America has continued to gain popularity over the past decade. Some of the genre's most prominent artists include the aforementioned Joanna Newsom, as well as Animal Collective, Devendra Banhart, and Ariel Pink. The genre has also been associated with the rise of the "freak folk" movement, which incorporates elements of folk music and psychedelia. One of the defining characteristics of New Weird America is its rejection of mainstream music conventions. In an interview with Pitchfork, Ariel Pink described the genre as "an amalgamation of things, an indifference toward formula or other preconceived schemes of what music should be." This rejection of convention has made the genre both polarizing and exciting for fans and critics alike.

The social context of New Weird America can be traced to the post-9/11 period when many young people in the United States were disillusioned with mainstream politics and culture. The Bush administration's war of terror, the Patriot Act, and the economic recession contributed to a sense of anxiety and alienation that was reflected in the music of the time. Additionally, the rise of the internet and digital technologies made it easier for independent artists to distribute their music and connect with fans, bypassing traditional gatekeepers in the music industry. One of the key figures in the promotion of New Weird America was the music critic David Keenan, who wrote for the British magazine The Wire and published the book "England's Hidden Reverse," which chronicled the underground music scene in the UK. In his writings, Keenan championed a psychedelic and avant-garde approach to music that valued experimentation and eclecticism over marketability and conformity. He also coined the term "hypnagogic pop," which applied to a range of artists who blended nostalgic or retro elements with contemporary production techniques. Another crucial influence on New Weird America was the underground music scene in California, particularly in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Bands such as Sunburned Hand of the Man, Six Organs of Admittance, and the Peaking Lights explored the possibilities of free-form improvisation, drone music, and cross-cultural fusion. They also shared a commitment to the DIY ethos and eschewed the commercial pressures of the mainstream music industry. Record labels such as Drag City, Kranky, and Constellation Records played a vital role in nurturing the New Weird America scene. Drag City, founded in 1990 in Chicago, had a roster that included Smog, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, and Will Oldham, among others. Kranky, based in Chicago and founded in 1993, released albums by Tim Hecker, Grouper, and Low. Constellation, established in Montreal in 1997, specialized in experimental and politically engaged music, with a roster that included Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion, and Colin Stetson. In terms of the cultural context, New Weird America drew upon a diverse set of influences, ranging from psychedelic rock and acid folk to outsider art and surrealist literature. The fascination with nature, mysticism, and the occult was another recurrent theme. Artists such as Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, and Vetiver incorporated idiosyncratic lyrics and fantastical imagery that evoked a sense of wonder and enchantment. Other artists, such as Animal Collective, leaned towards more experimental and abstract textures, employing electronic manipulation and eccentric vocal harmonies.