Atmospheric dreamscapes set to release a claustrophobic mindscape in the form of audio bliss is how best to describe the new eponymous EP by Atlanta based Parsons Rocket Project. Set to melodic chord progressions as if written as a soundtrack to a beautiful mind, Parsons Rocket Project takes the concept album idea and gives it meaning with every note.
About Parsons Rocket Project
Atlanta-based Parsons Rocket Project have released their self-titled debut EP. Comprised of six tracks, this is a beautiful mixed bag of dream-gaze, indie rock, and space rock, occupying a sweet spot between Blonde Redhead, My Bloody Valentine, Bowery Electric, and Slowdive. Riding on the same serene wave as their new EP is the new video for ‘Interlude I’.
Parsons Rocket Project takes its name from American rocket propulsion engineer, chemist, and occultist Jack Parsons. The band formed in 2015 when drummer, lyricist, and titular figurehead Jody Hasty started collaborating with bassist Paul Curry, guitarist Jeff Holt, and multi-instrumentalist producer/engineer Benjamin Price at Studilaroche in Atlanta. They were later joined by K. Michelle Dubois on vocals.
The band laid down the tracks for this album in the very studio, where Benjamin Price has also worked on releases by Gang of Four and The Hives, among others. The album was mastered by Joe Lambert (Lou Reed, Animal Collective, The National, Hot Chip, Deerhunter, Panda Bear, Washed Out).
“Exit Launch is about the allegorical descent of man through the story of Lucifer’s fall. The imperfection of man and darkness in our hearts that still exists through vanity, pride, materialism (mirrors) and false words of encouragement/deceit of the tongue (sound). ‘Lucky lunar girls, Snowblind in the night’ alludes to the fashion industry and cocaine,” explains Jody Hasty.
“Maybe it’s a long way for me to describe what Oscar Wilde did in one sentence: “We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.”
Parsons Rocket Project’s musical output is a mixture of ambient, dream pop, indie and space rock. They infuse this multi-colored trip with the shimmering oceanic resonance of shoegaze and neo-psychedelia to round out this first release.
“We embraced the beautiful noise concept but strayed from the classic shoegaze template that many bands adhere to. so there are some different feels and sounds to it like this fun disco thump thing with the synth bass on “exit launch.” that really pissed off some people in the studio, but it was the kick the track needed,” explains Paul Curry.
Parsons’ members cite a number of artist influences, including Flying Saucer Attack, Tape Cuts Tape, Spacemen 3, Eluvium, Swervedriver, Aix Em Klemm, William Basinski, and Clams Casino. However, their sound is closer to Slowdive, Spiritualized, Trespassers William, Mojave 3, and Mazzy Star.
This debut EP represents a significant moment in time for the band, who were challenged to overcome very real struggles involving drug abuse, a terrible automobile accident, and the low-level daily drama of domesticity. Some of the ambient and psychedelic exploration is rooted in real trauma – both physical and emotional – while some of it is celebratory in nature, rooted in the unique awareness of a temporary conscious being in our universe.
LINKS:
http://www.facebook.com/pg/parsonsrocketproject
http://soundcloud.com/parsonsrocketproject
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWyloOvwXR7mM7YAIA5tXsA/videos
http://twitter.com/parsonsrocket
http://www.instagram.com/parsonsrocketproject
