July 8, 2011

Friday night live at Transistor: garage/psych/experimental quartet Via Verso and ambient electric guitar from mitre (aka Scott Richardson). Sound by Dominic Armstrong with Janna McCluskey.

Via Verso is a garage/psych/experimental band from Chicago. Comprised of former members of The Drapes, Ticklepenny, The Mudtoys, and Wickerman -- to name a few -- Via Verso is currently blowing their own fragile eggshell minds with songs and soundscapes that recall such landmark bands as 13th Floor Elevators, Spacemen 3, My Bloody Valentine, Tom Waits, Built to Spill, Gram Parsons and Television. Their sound is comparable to listening to a garage rock record found in a thrift store using an old hubcap and a sewing needle for a turntable. They use rare vintage instruments and often make their own effects pedals to achieve a sound that is truly unique. They have been writing and recording songs at Lucky6 studio at a frantic pace and have been playing gigs regularly. The first of three planned releases, "Bedroom Skyline," is available on iTunes and Amazon.com -- dreamy psychedelic mantras interjected with Kinks/Skip Spence-influenced songs. A follow-up is in the finishing stages, looking for a summer release this year.

mitre (aka Scott Richardson) has been recording and performing solo ambient guitar music for the past decade. He has released several albums and EPs on Australia's Dreamland Recordings and has drawn comparisons to such drone luminaries as Windy & Carl, Fripp & Eno, Stars of the Lid, and Popol Vuh. His newest collection is the self-released CD "fatigued at the outrage factory."