Psychadelic rockers, The Black Angels will return to The Newport on the 17th in support of their new album, Indigo Meadow, and bringing Elephant Stone along for the ride. I had the opportunity to email with Rishi Dhir, a sought out sitar player and member of Elephant Stone, about some of their music and their plans for the summer.
Briana Henry: Was it the relationship between The Black Angels and yourself that got Elephant Stone on this tour?
Rishi Dhir: I’ve been friends with the Angels for a while…we’ve mentioned touring together in the past… I guess it just worked out schedule-wise for the both of us
BH: Are there any plans for to perform with The Black Angels?
RD: I may sit on sitar for a couple of tunes.
Briana Henry: My favorite song on “Heavy Moon” is actually the first track, “Setting Sun”. What was the inspiration for this song and the accompanying music video?
RD: The song deals with mortality/reincarnation. So, I thought it would be fitting to document the Kumbh Mela and Naga Sadhus.
BH: I noticed fans can buy copies of “Heavy Moon” on vinyl, as a digital download, and also on cassette? Why also on a cassette format?
RD: Burger Records (a great label) approached us about doing cassettes. They put out a lot of great records.
Briana Henry: What are your plans after The Austin Psych Fest? Any additional festival plans?
RD: Yeah, we have a few things in the works… hoping to make it out to the west coast soon.
Personally, potentially hearing “Black Grease” (my favorite The Black Angels song) performed with a sitar is a dream I never knew I possessed. School yourself on Elephant Stone’s latest album, Heavy Moon here. Tickets purchased in advance are $17 and $20 day of show. A review of the show, courtesy of me, will be provided the next day when my hangover is in remission.
Photos by Bowen Stead.
