Obscured By Echoes

Derailed in order to relocate its studio, local psych quintet Obscured by Echoes picks up its sci-fi tale where it left off on 2015's Avidonia Pt. 1: The Escape. The narrative resumes on Avidonia II: The Arrival, but the band's sound has evolved in the layoff. The trunk of the Austin fivesome's tree has become the root, its original Paisley Underground aesthetic buried in the soil. Aboveground, ObE employs prog rock melodies slowed down and stripped of classical pretension, enhanced with a spacey atmosphere that evokes a starship becalmed in an asteroid belt. The burbling synthesizers of Alyson Beaujon and Johnny Flores frost the tunes with florid soundscapes and earworm hooks, letting guitarist Kyle Abrams concentrate on inserting the perfect lick rather than providing sonic muscle. As flamboyant as a glam rocker and as enigmatic as a shaman, Flores' singing becomes the axis of cosmic drifters "The Coast of Sarasille" and "The Great Inoculation." A catchy, rocking gateway drug, "The Mother of Morning" brings the mystery of this bewitching journey into focus. - Austin Chronicle

Obscured by Echoes

Avidonia Pt. 1: The Escape

Reviewed by Michael Toland, Fri., Feb. 13, 2015


Texas Platters



Obscured by Echoes
Avidonia Pt. 1: The Escape

Psychedelic rock thrives on long, strange trips. Obscured by Echoes elucidates on Avidonia Pt. 1: The Escape. Exploiting the more sinister sounds of its "Nuclear Winter" single rather than the Paisley Underground noises of 2013 debut Black Matter Manifesto, the Austin quintet crawls through outer space in a state of dark whimsy. "The Jericho Blueprint" and "Interstellar Refugee" engage supernatural science fiction, layering Kyle Abrams' gliding guitar, Aly Beaujon's cosmic keyboards, and Johnny Flores' colorful croon into prickly acid prog emulating the Pink Floyd work that inspired the band's moniker. "Professor Glass" and "Delorum Pandorum" add the perfect dollop of creeping madness to the space-time continuum – "You're coo-coo in your head," Flores titters on the latter. Only the sparse, intimate "Dear Simone" breaks the spell, and even it sounds beamed in from another dimension. Like the best psych, Avidonia Pt. 1: The Escape transports you to another plane, with Obscured by Echoes as your co-pilot. - Austin Chronicle

Obscured by Echoes used to call themselves The Hi-Tones, but in an act of maturity, repentence, or just plain whim, changed their name to go along with their new psych-sound revealed in the album "Black Matter Manifesto". And a fine sound it is, studio-clear recordings warped with spectral-ish convolutions, brimming with trembling guitars, runaway synths, and reverbed, Pink Floyd-ish vocals. Supported by the rock-solid bass + drums combo of Kevin Harry and Gary Delgado, the other instruments are free to wander down cool, occasionally-dark psychedelic paths, giving this release a truly wide and deep sonic range; from the creepy tones of "Black Widow" to the pop-like lo-fi thrash of "Pop Politico" to the spellbinding string arpeggios of "Hatchet Man" to the heavier rock tones and softer pickings of "Cher Ami". Check out the Black numbers ("Black Matter" and "Black Widow") for a fine sampling of excellently-laid, conventionally pop tracks that were given the band's signature psych treatment - Spectral modulations, hypnotic synths, and filtered vox laying down slightly-unconventional melodic lines. Give "Electric Funeral" a bit of attention to see how eerily close to old Pink Floyd vox Johnny Flores can get, and check out the near-pop stylings underneath the tremolo in "Aleister LaVey". Lots to like here. If you can avoid getting distracted by the wavering, hypnotic production, you'll be able to pick out the classic pop compositional chops. We don't know what they're on, but we want some. - Scott Osborn - Deli NYC

Michael Toland

1) The Happen-Ins, Glamour Shots (Fuzz Recordings)

2) Gary Clark Jr., The Story of Sonny Boy Slim (Warner Bros.)

3) Obscured by Echoes, Avidonia Pt. 1: The Escape

4) Grupo Fantasma, Problemas (Blue Corn)

5) The Grassy Knoll, Electric Verdeland Vol. 1 (Electric Verde)

6) Eve Monsees & the Exiles, You Know She Did (Serpent)

7) Mala Suerte, Rituals of Self-Destruction (Illwill)

8) City of Ships, Ultraluminal (Translation Loss)

9) Knest, Honorary Bachelors of Arts (Self Sabotage)

10) I Am the Albatross, Lonesome Son (Rail Rider) - Austin Chronicle

This is the music video for Obscured by Echoes song "Interstellar Refugee" directed by Tina Rivera. This song is off their latest release Avidonia Part 1: The Escape. - Paste Magazine

Austin’s Obscured By Echoes break the psych rock mold by stretching beyond heavy reverb and drone, opting instead for layered synths and a variety of guitar tones. That dedication to nuance gives their songs a prog rock quality with lyrics that float along with the ebb and flow of the music. The band stopped by Studio 1A to share some songs off their most recent album, Avidonia II. A conceptual project they began in 2014 with the first Avidonia. Take a listen to our session with Obscured By Echoes before heading to their FREE show at Cheer Up Charlies on July 15th for Hot Summer Nights. - KUTX

Truth be told, every day has room for weirdness. Tonight is simply an extra celebration of the appreciation of oddness in musical form.

Hole In the Wall is presenting a Weird Wednesday show featuring two local bands, Videoing and Obscured By Echoes (featured on today’s AMM), sharing the bill with Richmond, VA dance/art rockers Those Manic Seas, and Baltimore dark synth band Jumpcuts. Your Austin Music Minute maven wouldn’t necessarily categorize this bill as “weird” (rather a misguided and/or overused description at times that we’re all guilty of), but each band specializes in various levels of melody and tone on the darker end of the spectrum. Excellent all around.

The weirdness kicks off at 9 p.m. tonight at HITW, 2538 Guadalupe. Weird is good for the soul. Recommended. - KUTX 98.9fm

Obscured by Echoes
Black Matter Manifesto (Limehouse Records)

Psychedelia isn't limited to blitzed jamming and peace-and-love inanities, a notion well understood on Obscured by Echoes' debut cassette/digital LP, Black Matter Manifesto. Formerly the Hi-Tones, the local quartet traffics in post-punk theatrics and contemporary indie clatter as often as it takes the Elevator to the 13th Floor or a flamboyant trip through a Paisley Underground. The menacing seduction of "Kaleidoscopic Minds" and Svengali tribute "Aleister LaVey" bump hips with the cosmic brooding of "Black Matter" and acid dreams of "Electric Funeral." Meanwhile, the starlit jangle of "Hatchet Man" boogies alongside the Stoned bash-and-crash "Pop Politico," and the whole album shakes down until it shimmers. Homemade production occasionally clashes with the group's sonic ambition, but the extra layer of fuzz more often enhances this trip.
- Austin Chronicle

Obscured by Echoes
8pm, Trophy Club
Texas' proud tradition of mindbending psychedelia reigns supreme in Obscured by Echoes. The young ATX quintet wallows as much in six-string and synthesized textures as in sharp melody and dramatic delivery, moving from the Paisley Underground aesthetic of debut Black Matter Manifesto to the Floydian waking dream of the new Avidonia Part 1: The Escape. – Michael Toland - Austin Chronicle

The Austin Music Minute is pleased to bring you the sounds of a band embracing the unknown. Local quintet (and AMM fave) Obscured By Echoes is here to remind you that there is no dark side. It’s all dark. And, whilst peering deep into the endless abyss, there is ample time for, in the words of Poe, “dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”

Obscured’s album Black Matter Manifesto (2013) is a hypnotic trip into those fields of darkness, unfolding multiple layers of lo-fi psych-rock with unusual melodies, waves of reverb and fuzz, and something creeping into the peripheral vision of the mind’s eye, phantom images that linger behind long after the trip is over.

Make sure you see Obscured By Echoes tonight at the Historic Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St. The bill includes performances by prog-psych trio Groove Think, ambient noise rock duo De Palma, and dream pop chillwavers Atlas Owls. Excellent bill all around. Doors open at 7 p.m. So recommended. - Laurie Gallardo KUTX FM 98.9

Your humble Austin Music Minute maven relished the sounds of The Hi-Tones because their psych-pop sound that reminded me of a composite of Bowie, early Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett set loose on an unsuspecting pair of ears. And since they’ve changed their name to Obscured By Echoes, they’ve expanded their sound even further into a richer, darker psych rock style. Last year’s full-length Black Matter Manifesto has an intense refinement of their classic signature pop that’s become more deeply immersed in reverbed, slightly warped and off-center melodies. Irresistible and so melodic that you’re entranced.

Good news: Now you’re able to enjoy the album on vinyl, as it should be experienced. Obscured By Echoes will celebrate with a vinyl release show tonight at Holy Mountain, 617 E. 7th St. The party features sets by roving space rockers The Boxing Lesson, and psychedelic space/gypsy folk adventurers Isaiah the Mosaic. Doors open at 9 p.m. Swirling colors everywhere. Recommended. - KUTX 98.9 Austin Music Minute

Obscured by Echoes, formerly the Hi-tones, are part of Austin's deep psych sound, striking similar notes to the Boxing Lesson and the Black Angels, but with more macabre sensibilities. "Black Widow", from their debut LP Black Matter Manifesto, is the perfect example of the band's irreverent psyche and how they sew in elements of the darker, more elegiac side of psychedelic music. They've just released a new video for their song, "Living Social" (embedded below).
Formed after the Hi-Tones called it quits, Johnny Flores, Aly Beaujon, Kyle Abrams, Gary Delgado, and Daniel Hinojosa have been working and playing as Obscured by Echoes since 2012, working their way up the local ladder in just over a year.
Austin is town defined by its nebulous scenes, at least by its local residents. We've got plenty of garage rockers and psych rockers flowing in and out of the clubs on Red River and East Austin. Obscured by Echoes' earnestness helps them to stand out. See it for yourself at the Mohawk this Wednesday on April 3rd. They'll be playing with Halaska and Whiteman Dancing. - Austinist

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Obscured by Echoes
JANUARY 23, 2013 BY TNC2
If you are looking for a good time, there are always free shows going on in Austin. Obscured by Echoes recently played at Hotel Vegas on 6th street. This is a small bar with a patio. It is a really intimate place to see a band. Therefore, it can also be really loud. If you like loud music, it is a good place to go.

Obscured by Echoes is a psych rock band. The line up was about thirty minutes long. What makes this band great and helped them put on a amazing show, is that they had a great sound throughout without having each song sound the same (unlike most mainstream shit). Any one who watches them can tell that they have a great chemistry, especially since the original drummer has joined them again.

I highly recommend this band. They have a young, eccentric sound that really encompasses what can come out of Austin. - Austin Area Music

I’d first heard of The Hi-Tones a few years back, and was always struck by their psych-pop sound, sort of vintage groovy garage with hints of Bowie and early Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett. That’s what it reminded me of. And never a dull live performance.

I thought the band broke up, but fortunately, it’s more of a rebirth that took place. They are now known as Obscured By Echoes, featuring founding member and front man Johnny Flores. The band has expanded its sound toward a richer and darker psych rock style, as you’ll hear on last year’s full-length release, Black Matter Manifesto. It’s a kind of refinement of their classic signature pop immersed in haunted, reverbed, slightly warped and off-center melodies.

Do not miss Obscured By Echoes at their show Wednesday night at the Mohawk, 912 Red River, with the progressively “trans-genre” experimental quartet Halaska, and trippy prog Zappa-esque trio Whiteman Dancing on the bill. Doors open at 9 p.m. Recommended. - 98.9 KUT fm

Psychedelic Light & Sound Does Free Week
Hotel Vegas, Jan. 12

Local promotion entity Psychedelic Light & Sound put its motto of "a festival designed to overload the senses" to the test with this sprawling, 12-hour lineup. The improvisational ambience of Lattice, Cream-y power trio traditionalism of Pi, and Wolfmother worship of Fort Worth's Sonic Buffalo barely registered, but things picked up with Surly Gates. The quartet stayed sober, but its well-crafted Crosby, Stills, Nash & Crazy Horse approach needed no psilocybin. Fueled by surf music and Americana, Modrag's snappy garage pop injected caffeine energy into a Nuggets core, the local trio's sharp songwriting trumping any lack of originality. Invading the paisley underground with Eighties synthesizer, ambitious songs, and some post-punk hip shake, Obscured by Echoes became the most distinctive and sophisticated band on the bill. Black Tabs' grunge stripped down to just riff, beat, and voice, fronted by a blues mama who makes up in enthusiasm what she lacks in technique. Furthest flung of the bill, Denver's Thee Dang Dangs bounced through straight garage rock, highlighted by Rebecca Williams' reverb-drenched yelp and catchy tuneage. "I wish I was on acid," proclaimed Blind Pets singer/guitarist Josh Logan, whose mother was in attendance. "I hope someone here is." An annoying amp hum nearly obliterated the first half of the local trio's hard-rocking punk (or is that punked-up hard rock?), but once it took off, the Pets played as if this was both the most fun experience of their lives and the last. Led by Psychedelic Light & Sound's Robbie D Love, Deep Space took advantage of host duty to soak in self-indulgent but sincere "free your mind" psychobabble, as well as spacey acid jams. The antithesis of Deep Space, San Antonio's Rich Hands celebrated the virtues of pre-weed rock with refreshingly simple lyrics, catchy tunes, and a good beat the kids could dance to.
- Austin Chronicle

If you are looking for a good time, there are always free shows going on in Austin. Obscured by Echoes recently played at Hotel Vegas on 6th street. This is a small bar with a patio. It is a really intimate place to see a band. Therefore, it can also be really loud. If you like loud music, it is a good place to go.

Obscured by Echoes is a psych rock band. The line up was about thirty minutes long. What makes this band great and helped them put on a amazing show, is that they had a great sound throughout without having each song sound the same (unlike most mainstream shit). Any one who watches them can tell that they have a great chemistry, especially since the original drummer has joined them again.

I highly recommend this band. They have a young, eccentric sound that really encompasses what can come out of Austin.
- Austin Area Music

Deep Space, the Boxing Lesson, Obscured by Echoes, Residual Kid
Mohawk, Jan. 6

Free Week ended its first half in an acid haze at Mohawk, but first up sidled Residual Kid, a local power trio whose collective age hits 40. One wonders if the youngsters' penchant for noisy grunge pop reflects their parents' record collections rather than their own, but there's no denying their skill at mangling their instruments unself-consciously. Residual Kid means it, so crowd comments on the order of, "Oh, they're so adorable," seemed unfair. Despite a name with two Pink Floyd references and a Syd Barrett cover, Obscured by Echoes (formerly the Hi-Tones) had more in common with Eighties psych icons Rain Parade or Plasticland than the original Sixties inspirations. The melodramatic paisley underground pop of "Hatchet Man" and "Living Social" benefits from strong melodies, screwdriver-tight ensemble playing, and charismatic point man Johnny Flores. It's florid and frankly fantastic. With Residual Kid's Ben Redman timekeeping, the Boxing Lesson sparked even brighter. Ignoring the cold emptiness of space for the busy bits that house comets, meteor showers, and supernovas, the Austin trio's cosmic synths, rocket rhythms, and planet-fall riffing produced an acid star bright enough to be seen across galaxies. Previewing songs from the Chris "Frenchie" Smith-produced LP Big Hits, the Boxing Lesson set the silver machine for the heart of the sun. Fresh quintet Deep Space closed with an earthy psych sound more in the realm of hometown heroes the Black Angels. The band doesn't really have the songcraft yet, but leader Robbie D. Love's full-body axe-wielding generates enough excitement to justify waiting until it does.
- Austin Chronicle