levitation room

Initially formed around the bandmembers' mutual love of '60s garage rock played with a psychedelic twist, Levitation Room have sought to faithfully re-create the sounds they loved from that decade, as well as the '70s. Their debut album, Ethos, is a note-perfect, lo-fi, fuzz pedal-driven homage to garage psych. By the time of their second album, 2019's Headspace, they expanded their range to incorporate heavier guitar sounds, mellower melodies, R&B swagger, and fuller arrangements. With their third LP, 2024's Strange Weather, they shifted their creative direction as the sounds of '70s soft rock became a significant part of their formula. The band was formed in Los Angeles, California in 2012 by longtime friends Julian Porte and Gabriel Fernandez. The two had previously played together in a punk band called the Hits; after they broke up, Porte focused on his interest in folk music, but in time he was eager to start a new band. He posted a message on a social media page asking if anyone was interested in starting a band and Fernandez promptly responded. They began exchanging notes on their shared interest in psychedelic garage rock and soon formed Levitation Room. Porte became lead singer and guitarist, while Fernandez played lead guitar and sang backups. Porte discovered drummer Johnathan Martin when he borrowed a harmonica from him at a party, and with the addition of Jonathan Thiemens on bass and vocals, the group's lineup was complete. After making the rounds as a live act and gaining the endorsement of local psych label Lollipop Records, Levitation Room self-released their first demo in March 2013 (it was later reissued by Lollipop). Their first proper EP, Minds of Our Own, was issued on cassette in January 2015, and was later given a successful digital release. By this time, Levitation Room were playing regularly in Los Angeles and touring the West Coast, and were also the proprietors of Everydaze Music, a music store and vintage clothing boutique that also served as the group's rehearsal space and base of operations. Their first full-length album, Ethos, was produced by Glenn Brigman of fellow psychedelic travelers Triptides and released in early 2016. The album sounded like it could have been released in either 1967 or 1985 at the height of that decade's garage rock revival. The group's next album was also produced by Brigman, who served double-duty as the band's keyboardist and featured new bassist Chris Mercado. The band strayed a bit from the reverent garage psych of their debut to introduce soul, R&B, and heavier rock elements. Headspace was released on Greenway Records in October of 2019. In 2021, the band introduced yet another new bassist, Kevin Perez, and continued to tour, sharing stages with acts like Post Animal and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. For their third full-length release, Levitation Room added new flavors to their songs, as the easygoing sound of '70s soft rock leavened their garage and psychedelic influences. Working with producer and multi-instrumentalist Jason Kick (best known for his collaborations with Mild High Club) and keyboard players Rob Campanella (of the Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Joel Robinow (of the Black Crowes), Levitation Room released Strange Weather in February 2024.
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