The Stevenson Ranch Davidians – Amerikana
Picture In My Ear Records – 9 June 2017
Psychedelic rock-folk-Americana stalwarts The Stevenson Ranch Davidians have unveiled their new single ‘Wack Magick’. This is the second single from the album ‘Amerikana‘, following up the lead single ‘Holy Life’. Scheduled for release in June 2017 on Minneapolis-based Picture In My Ear Records, this is the first album The Davidians’ have released since 2009.
”Wack Magick is basically about the use of mysticism as a tool for social control. It’s about occultism, mind control, secret societies, hallucinogenic drugs, etc., all of which have been utilised by the predatory elite to mystify the minds of the masses,” says Dwayne Seagraves.
Steeped in the aura of the perennially mythologized psychedelic culture of Southern California and making music influenced by the enduring essence of ‘60s psych, folk and soul, woven with strands of early American roots music, The Stevenson Ranch Davidians has, since 2006, revealed itself in shifting configurations. While the lineup has continually coalesced around lead singer and songwriter Dwayne Seagraves, the collective has always had a guiding vision and goal: to create music that seeks to simultaneously demystify and deify the human experience. ‘Amerikana’ represents a new direction for the band, where the dreamy, flowing sound of albums past is infused with a fresh sense of inspiration, energy and purpose. This is an eclectic, yet cohesive, set of songs that glorify the human spirit while condemning those who seek to destroy it. Seagraves states that Amerikana also celebrates what he views as true magic: human will put to action.
Through his songs, he hopes to convey the sense that human beings have been the sole source of all great insights and achievements throughout history, and that power originates from within individuals rather than from gods, governments or other external sources. “I view the record and every song on it as a celebration of the human spirit as well as a condemnation of those who seek to destroy it. What inspired it was a period of time in which I was exposed to those who seek to destroy it and the record was written as a direct counter balance to that,” says Dwayne Seagraves.
The band’s new lineup brings a range of talent, experience and inspiration to The Stevenson Ranch Davidians’ sound. In addition to longtime Davidians’ bassist Jessica Latiolait, guitarist Rob Campanella is a member of The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Quarter After, while his brother – drummer and backing vocalist Andy Campanella – is a veteran of Occult Wisdom, Imogene and Chief Nowhere. Guitarist Misha Bullock, the sole Englishman in the fold, formerly played with Tennis System.
The Stevenson Ranch Davidians “Amerikana” LP will be available on Classic Black 150G Vinyl with Lyric Inner Sleeve but is already available for pre-order on Picture in My Ear Records ‘ Bandcamp at https://pictureinmyearrecords.bandcamp.com/album/amerikana
‘Holy Life’ is also currently available on iTunes and Spotify.
The Stevenson Ranch Davidians will be touring the U.S. west coast with a psychedelic roaming festival, brought to you by the Mad Alchemy liquid light show. So far, nine dates have been announced in some great venues, together with LSD and The Search for God, Jesus Sons, Dream Phases, Family of Light Band, and Creature’s Choir.
The Stevenson Ranch Davidians Live Dates
July 12 Santa Ana, CA – The Constellation Room
July 13 Los Angeles, CA – The Bootleg
July 14 San Diego, CA – Til-Two
July 15 TBD
July 16 San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
July 17 Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst Atrium
July 19 Portland, OR – Star Theater
July 20 Seattle, WA – The Sunset
July 21 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater
https://www.thestevensonranchdavidians.com/