The Bad Penny (beta)

Today ain’t just another Thursday for fans of primo psychedelic rock. It’s extra-special because L.A.’s eminently gifted quintet Dream Phases are gifting fans of equally heady and interstellar music with a special new 7-inch. The Nomad Eel Records release enshrines two of the increasingly prominent and talented band’s best tracks, “Velvet Knife” and “Mrs. Songbyrd.”

Dream Phases is one of the most versatile, rousing and downright fun acts amid a litany of new and newish California bands currently infusing new life and popularity into psych-rock. (They’re also extremely affable and have an endearing sense of humor.) The band consists of Brandon Graham (vocals, guitar), Shane Graham (drums), Keveen Baudouin (guitar, vocals), Jeanna Fournier (bass, vocals) and Phil Cobb (synth, keys).

Graham graciously touched base with The Bad Penny this week to discuss the release and provide deep insights into the 7-inch, which is available on Dream Phases’ Bandcamp page.

“We recorded these tracks with Clint Welander at [the famed] Sunset Sound Recording Studio and couldn’t be more thrilled to have these on rad colored wax now,” Graham professed.

He went on to provide a great deal of insight into both, for lack of a better term, dreamy tunes.

The cosmic “Velvet Knife” is “directly influenced by seeing a lot of people in the L.A. music scene burning out too young because of substance-abuse issues or other lifestyle-related issues,” Graham stated. “I’ve witnessed many talented people who, over time, seemed to be spending far more time partying or looking to party rather than creating.

“Unfortunately, through the pandemic, several local musicians and artists passed away through drug related overdoses, which is always a tragedy,” he continued. “The song talks about how, early on, the world seems so full of opportunities, but at some point everything is focused on one thing, and the panoramic view of future possibilities diminishes to a close-up. It can be easy and tempting to be caught up in scenes and partying excessively, and fun at times, but ultimately where does it lead?”

Regarding the second, Beatles-esque track, Graham imparted: ” ‘Mrs. Songbyrd’ is a person that brings joy and inspiration to a group of people through a gift or spark they have, in this instance through their music,” Graham said. “They are a center point in a community, and everyone enjoys that person, to the point where they are relied on for their gift. Eventually they are not seen anymore as a person who also has their own set of needs and ultimately gets burned out and disappears, as they are not getting back what they are giving.

“Don’t drink too much from the well, and remember to give back equally,” he added. “This is meant to be more of an uplifting song though, rather than simply a cautionary tale.”

If those altruistic, gentlemanly comments don’t immediately win you over on Dream Phases, the song itself undoubtedly will:

Graham tipped his cap to Clint Welander for producing and recording the songs, Matt Schuessler for mixing, Mark Chalecki for mastering and Jeff Schroeder for also lending a hand.

“Thirst and Company knocked it out with the art as well!” he added.

Dream Phases, justifiably amped about the 7-inch, are staging a special concert tonight surrounding its release at The Del Monte in Venice, California (steps away from the beach). Presented by Desert Daze, the crew that stages the wicked-cool psych-rock festival of the same name, the show starts at 8 p.m. and promises to be well worth the $20 ticket, with Gazoota and DJ Klint Beastwood as performing. Get yer tickets here.

For more on Dream Phases, follow them on Instagram.

This entry was posted on 03/27/2025 at 6:59 am and is filed under Exclusives, Interviews with tags Brandon Graham, Dream Phases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.