Psychedelic Illusions

Music technologies and electronic studio processes have been used to create altered states of consciousness in popular music. Audio technologies such as multi-tracking, echo, and reverb have illusory capabilities. In 1950s rock 'n' roll, distortion enhanced energetic and emotive properties. Surf rock used echo and reverb to evoke teenage surf culture. In 1960s and 1970s psychedelic rock and space rock/jazz, warped sounds elicited impressions of psychedelic experiences, outer space voyages, and Afrofuturist mythologies. Sound design communicates various forms of conceptual meaning, including the psychedelic experience.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores how music technologies and electronic studio processes relate to altered states of consciousness in popular music. First, an overview of audio technologies such as multi-tracking, echo, and reverb is given, in order to explore their illusory capabilities. In the rock ’n’ roll music of the 1950s, studio production techniques such as distortion provided a means through which to enhance the energetic and emotive properties of the music. Later, in surf rock, effects such as echo and reverb allowed the music to evoke conceptual visions of teenage surf culture. In the 1960s and 1970s, these approaches were developed in psychedelic rock music, and space rock/space jazz. Here, warped sounds and effects allowed the music to elicit impressions of psychedelic experiences, outer space voyages, and Afrofuturist mythologies. By exploring these areas, this chapter shows how sound design can communicate various forms of conceptual meaning, including the psychedelic experience.