There's been a sudden surge in psychedelic music in the Richmond scene over the last year or two, and Palindrone has been right in the middle of it. Singer/guitarist Christian Brady, who first came to prominence as the vocalist and bassist of DC-based experimental hardcore band Mass Movement Of The Moth, spent the middle part of the last decade moving back and forth between this city and Washington DC. During that time, he helped form the (mostly-)instrumental quartet Antlers here in Richmond, while continuing to work with Mass Movement Of The Moth in DC until their breakup in 2007 and playing quite a few solo acoustic shows along the way. At some point during this nomadic period, he began dating (and eventually married) Stephanie Barrow. The two of them started playing music together almost immediately. Their first group, an acoustic project in which they both played guitar and were joined by a shifting crew of musicians on a variety of instruments, was called Meadows. This group was relatively short-lived though, perhaps due to Christian and Stephanie's decision to permanently settle in Richmond. Not long after the move, with Meadows finished and Antlers in a period of relative dormancy, Christian and Stephanie formed Palindrone. Their early shows were as a no-frills rock duo--Christian on guitar, Stephanie on drums--but their hazy psychedelic sound was clear even then. With the eventual addition of Ian Calder on second guitar and Bethany Santos on keyboards, the blissed-out sounds of Palindrone's 60s San Francisco psych-influenced songwriting became even more pronounced. They've recently released a 6-song self-titled cassette, which does a great job of capturing the vibe they've been creating in a series of recent local shows that have the whole scene talking. I caught up with Christian to ask about psychedelia, playing in bands with your significant other, and why Palindrone has no bass player. Here's what he had to say:
How did Palindrone start? Was the band an evolution from you and Stephanie's previous band, Meadows, or do you see this project as unrelated?
Palindrone was born out of the desire for rhythm. Meadows went adrift and Stephanie bought a drum set. Initially it was going to be a two piece, Stephanie on drums and I would play bass. We wrote a couple of songs, tried to play music with a few people. Most folks we tried fell to the wayside--as did the bass. We found it easier to put songs together with guitar and drums. Some of the first songs we wrote together, we were both playing guitar--the same guitar, actually. I would fret and she would strum, or vice versa. Then we transposed them to guitar and drums. Having the opportunity to share with your significant other what is already an incredibly intimate and special relationship is only magnified to greater proportions. I have never really believed in a stopping or starting of projects, there can only be evolution--so yes, Palindrone is a outgrowth of Meadows, as will be our next.
Your early shows were as a two-piece. How did Ian and Bethany come to join the band? And what made you decide to use two guitars and keyboards rather than having a bass player?
Bethany and Ian moved down to Richmond in August of 2010. I had met Ian 4 years prior in Richmond, and always felt that we had a connection for what could develop into something beautiful, musically. We tried doing some inter-city four-track tape correspondence/collaboration. When they moved down, Antlers had an opening for a bass player, which Ian promptly filled. Ian had only been playing bass for a short time, but previously his main instrument was guitar. Gracefully we spanned time with them, and discovered that Bethany had taken piano lessons growing up. And she's all the bass we need! Naturally, we felt we should try to incorporate them using the instruments where they found their roots.
Palindrone is part of a recent resurgence of psychedelic music, in both the local and national scenes. What attracts you to playing in the psychedelic genre? Do you identify with the more "throwback"/60s revival elements of this new psychedelic movement?
Ah yes, the cyclical collective consciousness. It's interesting how things catch on, or how people latch on--or whatever. I don't know that I would necessarily say we are psychedelic. Mostly because of how loosely the label "psychedelic" is thrown around. We just like to be free with it, play whatever comes out, you know? I think we definitely borrow from what we listen to and experience, but that's a pretty wide variety. Sure, our music makes us feel high, and sure we dig things that are old. We are definitely into a lot of things from that era--art, architecture, film, furniture, textiles, kitchen supplies, open spaces, travel options. I suppose its nice that there is a more definable sub-genre emerging, because it helps like-minded artists connect. We identify with and respect those who are doing exactly what they want to be doing, and not putting limitations on themselves or their music.
How does being a band made up of two couples affect the overall dynamic of Palindrone? I've often found that being in a band can feel like being in a romantic relationship anyway--do the relationships that exist within the band complicate things? Simplify things? None of the above?
Earth, Air, Water, Fire. All the elements are there. We make dinner together, commune together, clean up together. Then we go make music together--and have a good time with it. It can be complicated sometimes, but most things can be! I think being four lovers, sisters, and brothers allows us to keep communication open and free. We support each other where others may have shortcomings, and it's ok! It's a totally symbiotic flow.
What's coming up in the near future for Palindrone?
We're working on some new tunes with the hopes of having another release in the near future, probably Spring 2012. Some dates are in the works with our brothers, Cigarette, from Arlington, VA. Beautiful music, and even more beautiful people. Keep on riding the wave! Thanks Andrew for being interested enough to put together these thoughtful questions, we truly appreciate you. Our love goes out to everyone!
Words and live photos by Andrew Necci
Top live photo by Ryan Muldoon