Neon Indian
Encyclopedia
Neon Indian is an indie electronic band from Denton, Texas
. The music is composed by Mexican
-born Alan Palomo (born July 24, 1988), also known for his work with the band Ghosthustler and as the artist VEGA
. The band's debut, Psychic Chasms, has received many favorable reviews, including the designation of Best New Music and 14th best album of 2009 by Pitchfork Media
. The Rolling Stone
magazine called Neon Indian one of the hottest new bands of 2010.
at the age of 5, relocating to Denton, Texas
for college. As he grew through much of his high school years, he had already been writing and performing music before the inception of Neon Indian, in his projects Ghosthustler and VEGA.
Shortly before the release of Psychic Chasms, Palomo said he planned on releasing another album as VEGA, although this has not yet happened, and it is unclear if it ever will. In an interview, Palomo cites his father as a musical influence, "just because that's how he makes his living-- he had a brief stint in the late 70s and early 80s as a Mexican pop star." Palomo also shared that he sampled some of his father's material in Palomo's work as Neon Indian.
The name Neon Indian was conceived by an ex-girlfriend of Palomo's, who was also the subject of their song "Should Have Taken Acid With You." The song was originally presented as a musical apology for a missed acid date. Her positive reaction to the song spurred Palomo to continue writing more songs as Neon Indian.
. Pitchfork
also listed two tracks from Psychic Chasms in their list of The Top 100 Tracks of 2009. Pitchfork
Ranked "Psychic Chasms" 14th on its Top 50 Albums of 2009 staff list. "Should Have Taken Acid With You" was listed as the year's 74th top track and "Deadbeat Summer" came in at number 13. The Hype Machine
ranked Psychic Chasms as the 47th best album of 2009. Spin Magazine praised the album for its "dreamy collage of samples and synth tones." Thought Catalog reviewed it from a penile perspective, to which Palomo responded with "Finally! Someone hears the penises!
Psychic Chasms was released in the UK on Palomo's Static Tongues label on September 20, 2010. It includes all original tracks from the US version, plus "Sleep Paralysist" and several remixes to original Psychic Chasms songs.
, Finland
during the winter of 2010, Era Extraña
(a Spanish language title, literally "Strange Era" or "She Was Strange," depending on the context) was released September 13, 2011 on Palomo's Static Tongues imprint. Soon after the new album's release, Palamo will commence a US tour with bands Com Truise
and Purity Ring.
On April 20, 2011, Palomo released a clip from his new album entitled Heart: Attack, which featured shots of Palomo in Helsinki
, Finland
while a new song titled Heart: Release played in the background. It was said to be the first of a three-part instrumental piece which will be featured on the upcoming album.
The album is currently available as a full stream on NPR
's "First Listen" project.
On February 11, 2010, Neon Indian had its national television debut on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
. The band performed a medley of the songs "Terminally Chill" and "Ephemeral Artery".
Neon Indian has played several prominent independent music festivals, including Moogfest
, North Coast Music Festival South by Southwest
, Bonnaroo Music Festival
, Pitchfork Music Festival
, Sasquatch! Music Festival
, MtyMx All Ages Festival of Art and Music, Monolith Festival
, Virgin Mobile Festival, Austin City Limits Festival, Emmabodafestivalen, Incubate
, Bestival
, and Camp Bisco. Neon Indian has toured with Phoenix
, Prefuse 73, Miniature Tigers
, Massive Attack
, Chromeo
, Sleigh Bells
, Real Estate, and Wild Nothing
.
** (This single was written and recorded with Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear for Mountain Dew's Green Label Sound Series)
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
. The music is composed by Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
-born Alan Palomo (born July 24, 1988), also known for his work with the band Ghosthustler and as the artist VEGA
Vega
Vega is the brightest star in the constellation Lyra, the fifth brightest star in the night sky and the second brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere, after Arcturus...
. The band's debut, Psychic Chasms, has received many favorable reviews, including the designation of Best New Music and 14th best album of 2009 by Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
. The Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine called Neon Indian one of the hottest new bands of 2010.
Beginnings
Palomo who was born in Monterrey, Mexico moved to San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
at the age of 5, relocating to Denton, Texas
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
for college. As he grew through much of his high school years, he had already been writing and performing music before the inception of Neon Indian, in his projects Ghosthustler and VEGA.
Shortly before the release of Psychic Chasms, Palomo said he planned on releasing another album as VEGA, although this has not yet happened, and it is unclear if it ever will. In an interview, Palomo cites his father as a musical influence, "just because that's how he makes his living-- he had a brief stint in the late 70s and early 80s as a Mexican pop star." Palomo also shared that he sampled some of his father's material in Palomo's work as Neon Indian.
The name Neon Indian was conceived by an ex-girlfriend of Palomo's, who was also the subject of their song "Should Have Taken Acid With You." The song was originally presented as a musical apology for a missed acid date. Her positive reaction to the song spurred Palomo to continue writing more songs as Neon Indian.
Psychic Chasms
On October 13, 2009, Palomo released his debut LP Psychic Chasms on Lefse Records. The album was designated Best New Music by music website Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
. Pitchfork
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
also listed two tracks from Psychic Chasms in their list of The Top 100 Tracks of 2009. Pitchfork
Pitchfork
A pitchfork is an agricultural tool with a long handle and long, thin, widely separated pointed tines used to lift and pitch loose material, such as hay, leaves, grapes, dung or other agricultural materials. Pitchforks typically have two or three tines...
Ranked "Psychic Chasms" 14th on its Top 50 Albums of 2009 staff list. "Should Have Taken Acid With You" was listed as the year's 74th top track and "Deadbeat Summer" came in at number 13. The Hype Machine
The Hype Machine
-History:The Hype Machine was created in 2005 by Anthony Volodkin, a sophomore computer science major at Hunter College. The site was born out of Volodkin's frustration with music magazines and radio stations. He said, "I discovered MP3 blogs like Stereogum and Music for Robots...
ranked Psychic Chasms as the 47th best album of 2009. Spin Magazine praised the album for its "dreamy collage of samples and synth tones." Thought Catalog reviewed it from a penile perspective, to which Palomo responded with "Finally! Someone hears the penises!
Psychic Chasms was released in the UK on Palomo's Static Tongues label on September 20, 2010. It includes all original tracks from the US version, plus "Sleep Paralysist" and several remixes to original Psychic Chasms songs.
Era Extraña
Recorded in HelsinkiHelsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
during the winter of 2010, Era Extraña
Era Extraña
Era Extraña is electronic pop artist Alan Palomo's second album as Neon Indian. It was released on September 13, 2011, through Mom + Pop Music in the United States, Transgressive Records in Great Britain and Europe, Columbia Music/Big Nothing in Japan, and Pop Frenzy/Inertia in Australia.In a...
(a Spanish language title, literally "Strange Era" or "She Was Strange," depending on the context) was released September 13, 2011 on Palomo's Static Tongues imprint. Soon after the new album's release, Palamo will commence a US tour with bands Com Truise
Com Truise
Com Truise is the stage name of Seth Haley, an American electronic musician originally from Oneida, New York, and later, Princeton, New Jersey...
and Purity Ring.
On April 20, 2011, Palomo released a clip from his new album entitled Heart: Attack, which featured shots of Palomo in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
while a new song titled Heart: Release played in the background. It was said to be the first of a three-part instrumental piece which will be featured on the upcoming album.
The album is currently available as a full stream on NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
's "First Listen" project.
Tour and notable performances
When performing, Palomo is joined on stage by a live band, consisting of Jason Faries (drums), Leanne Macomber (keyboard, vocals) and Lars Larsen (Live Visuals). Ronald Gierhart played guitar and sang in the live group prior to 2011, leaving to finish college and begin a solo project (Ronnie Heart).On February 11, 2010, Neon Indian had its national television debut on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
. The band performed a medley of the songs "Terminally Chill" and "Ephemeral Artery".
Neon Indian has played several prominent independent music festivals, including Moogfest
Moogfest
Moogfest is a three-day electronic music festival that takes place in Asheville, North Carolina, United States, every year since 2010 towards the end of October. The festival is held in Asheville because it is the city where Robert Arthur "Bob" Moog, the inventor of the Moog synthesizer and...
, North Coast Music Festival South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
, Bonnaroo Music Festival
Bonnaroo Music Festival
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an annual four day music festival created and produced by Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment, held at Great Stage Park on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. It hosted its tenth annual event June 9–12, 2011...
, Pitchfork Music Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival
The Pitchfork Music Festival is an annual summer music festival organized by Pitchfork Media and held in Union Park in Chicago, IL. The festival, which is normally held over three days in July, focuses primarily on artists and bands from alternative rock, rap & hip-hop, electronica, and dance...
, Sasquatch! Music Festival
Sasquatch! Music Festival
Sasquatch! Music Festival is a music festival held annually at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington. It is presented by the House of Blues. There is an emphasis on indie rock bands and singer-songwriters, although there are also alternative rock, hip hop and comedy acts...
, MtyMx All Ages Festival of Art and Music, Monolith Festival
Monolith Festival
The Monolith Festival is a music festival held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. The first festival took place September 14–15, 2007 on 5 stages, including the Red Rocks main stage.The 2008 Monolith Festival was held on September 13–14....
, Virgin Mobile Festival, Austin City Limits Festival, Emmabodafestivalen, Incubate
Incubate (festival)
Incubate is a multidisciplinary arts festival in Tilburg, the Netherlands. On June 16, the festival changed it name into Incubate after a request by the Austin, US based festival SXSW to change its name. Between 2005 and 2008 the festival was called ZXZW....
, Bestival
Bestival
Bestival is a four-day music festival held at the Robin Hill country park on the Isle of Wight, England. It has been held annually in late summer since 2004. The event is organized by DJ and record producer Rob da Bank and is an off-shoot of his Sunday Best record label and club nights. The initial...
, and Camp Bisco. Neon Indian has toured with Phoenix
Phoenix (band)
Phoenix is a Grammy Award winning French indie rock band from Versailles, founded by Thomas Mars, Deck d'Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Laurent Brancowitz.-Formation and early years:...
, Prefuse 73, Miniature Tigers
Miniature Tigers
Miniature Tigers is an Indie rock band with elements of indie pop based in Brooklyn, NY. The band is made up of frontman-guitarist Charlie Brand, Rick Schaier on drums and vocals, Algernon Quashie on guitar, keyboard....
, Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
, Chromeo
Chromeo
Chromeo is an electrofunk duo formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2004.-History:Chromeo is composed of P-Thugg on keyboards, synthesizers, and talk box, and Dave 1 on guitar and lead vocals...
, Sleigh Bells
Sleigh Bells
Sleigh Bells is an American noise pop music duo. The group released their debut album, Treats, on May 11, 2010.-History:Based in Brooklyn, New York, Sleigh Bells is composed of Derek E. Miller and Alexis Krauss...
, Real Estate, and Wild Nothing
Wild Nothing
-History:Jack Tatum previously played in bands Jack and the Whale and Facepaint in the college town of Blacksburg, VA. He began recording under the name Wild Nothing in the summer of 2009...
.
Albums
- 2009: Psychic Chasms (Fader, Static Tongues, Lefse Records)
- 2010: Mind Ctrl: Psychic Chasms PossessedMind Ctrl: Psychic Chasms Possessed-Track listing:...
- 2011: Era ExtrañaEra ExtrañaEra Extraña is electronic pop artist Alan Palomo's second album as Neon Indian. It was released on September 13, 2011, through Mom + Pop Music in the United States, Transgressive Records in Great Britain and Europe, Columbia Music/Big Nothing in Japan, and Pop Frenzy/Inertia in Australia.In a...
US #74
EPs
- 2009: Psychic Chasms EP
- 2011: Flaming Lips 2011: The Flaming Lips with Neon IndianFlaming Lips 2011: The Flaming Lips with Neon Indian-Personnel:*Wayne Coyne*Steven Drozd*Michael Ivins*Kliph Scurlock*Neon Indian...
Singles
- 2009: "Deadbeat Summer" (2009 Top 20 Underground/Indie Pop Charts)"
- 2010: "6669 (I Don't Know If You Know)" (Indie/Underground radio airplay - January 2010)
- 2010: "Sleep Paralysist" ** (March 2010)
- 2011: "Fall Out" (July-August 2011)
- 2011: "Polish Girl" (August 2011)