It was late last week when I finally sat down with the first single from the new supergroup DRKWAV, and I was honestly a bit speechless after what I heard. I knew I had to open the admin screen and start typing, but I honestly had no idea what to say first. I mean, seriously, I thought I knew what I was going to hear, and then I pressed play, and well, wow. I was left just completely floored.
Was this the best music I had ever heard in my lifetime? Like, in my 33 years on this Earth, was that better than the first time I heard The Vandals play “Lady Killer” on their live album, Sweatin’ to the Oldies? Or better than the first time I heard the explosion of sound in the lead track, “In The Flowers”, on Animal Collective‘s Merriweather Post Pavilion? Was it ever going to get better than that, you guys?!
If that seems sensational, I present to you the lineup of said supergroup: DRKWAV is Skerik (saxophones), John Medeski (keyboards) and Adam Deitch (drums). YEP, you are reading that correctly. I first saw them last year at High Sierra Music Festival, almost accidentally missing the set for some forgettable-because-I’m-at-a-festival sorta reason, and I remember thinking the moment I arrived at their set that it was possibly the best decision I’ve ever made in my lifetime.
The three master musicians have come together for The Purge, “an entirely uncompromising album debut that delves deep into the psychedelic corners of the human psyche.” Due February 24th from Royal Potato Family, the recording was co-produced and mixed by Randall Dunn, a guy who’s resume reads as eclectic as this supergroup: he’s done work with Sunn O))), Akron/Family, and Earth among others.
And guess what… today we’re debuting an exclusive track from that album, the closer groove of “Shmeeans Kuti”, an awesome send-up to Kuti-esque afro-beat done extra trippy and weird like only this group knows how. Put on your headphones, crank them as loud as you can handle it, and press play below:
There’s really nothing to debate here once you hear the track and see what their team is describing the album and project like. “DRKWAV conjure a wall of intricately detailed sound.” Yep, no denying that. “Each of The Purge’s eight tracks surge and swell in cinematic overture.” Given that we’ve heard three tracks from this disc so far (Glide Magazine debuted another track last week), I’d say that’s pretty true. “True to its name, the trio revels in the pitch black, yet continually discover beauty and shed light through sonic exploration.” Oooh, such a good line.
The album will be available as a limited edition, multi color vinyl, double LP set, as well as on CD and digital formats. Tour dates to support the release are below (along with The Purge tracklist) with additional shows to be announced. Really hoping I get another chance to see them once I have a chance to listen to this full disc.
DRKWAV – THE PURGE
1. Darkwave
2. Soundtrack
3. Count Chockulous
4. Datura
5. Scars
6. Hell Bass
7. Gazzelloni
8. Shmeeans Kuti
DRKWAV TOUR DATES
February 27 – Boston, MA – Regattabar
February 28 – Portland, ME – Asylum
March 5 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
March 6 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
March 7 — Washington, DC – The Hamilton
March 12 – Ft. Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
March 13 & 14 – Denver, CO — Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
April 27 – New Orleans, LA – Maison
