Psychedelic Wind was written back in 2013 under the influence of a psychedelic trip. Initially released in 2013. The original version was a lo-fi instrumental featuring penny whistle, guitar & bass. The initial versions recording just never did it justice unfortunately.
Hi Timeless Void, how are you today?
Alex: I’m good. Looking forward to this.
Eric: Despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions boiling over, I’ve been at my best as of late. Keeping busy, always learning & making music
For those that haven’t heard of you yet, how would you best describe your sound, and who have been your biggest influences so far?
Alex: Psychedelic rock for sure. It’s appealing to classic rock fans, but more free and wild. Hippy music. We have a lot of different influences – I grew up with actual classical music. Mozart, Beethoven. I love early rock ‘n’ roll and modern pop. Eric and I bond over the sixties and the energy of that time.
Eric: In a nutshell I’d describe our sound as Psychedelic Rock or even Classic Rock. My music tastes tend to be quite dated. In my view the best music ever made was produced between 1965 & 1975. My biggest influence by & large were the British Invasion groups of the late 60s. Especially Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd & The Kinks just to name a few.
Do you remember what the first song was that made you want to start a career in music?
Alex: I don’t know if there was a specific song, but I would imagine myself performing the music I loved for others. Something in me wanted to share the emotions I felt when I heard that music.
Eric: Sheep by Pink Floyd. I still remember my first time hearing it on my old orange RCA MP3 player. I knew I instantly wanted to be able to play guitar like David Gilmour & Bass like Roger Waters. It took me a couple of years before I started to play guitar. But hearing that song specifically got my feet wet in terms of knowing what great songwriting & production sounded like.
You have just released your new single ‘Psychedelic Wind’. Can you tell us how that track came about?
Alex: Sometimes the best creative moments are when you are enjoying yourself and then try something different. Eric and I have had a couple of those moments over the years. Our first recording of “Psychedelic Wind” had that – late at night, jamming with a tin whistle. Our most recent version was also spontaneous. We have fun, create a great energy and then share that with those who are listening to the music later.
Eric: It took over nine years to get Psychedelic Wind in its current form. Initially it came about shortly after my first psychedelic experience back in 2013. I was in second year university & absolutely broke. I realized that I could not feasibly continue my studies (in Philosophy) without going deep into debt. It took me one acid trip to realize that I had my priorities out of whack. Surrounded by guitars & a vintage fender tube amp I rekindled my passion for music again. I got my buddy Alex Hilson from High School & we relaunched our band Timeless Void. Psychedelic Wind was one of the first songs that we had written for a revived band back in 2013.
And is there a story behind it?
Alex: Eric tells the story better but I think both of us had this feeling of “screw it – let’s see how this thing turns out”. Both in our original demo and the current version, we have been pleased with the results of that energy.
Eric: The original version of Psychedelic Wind was in essence a guitar & bass jam that Alex & I had done. After listening back to it Alex decided to play penny whistle (with a lot of modulation & delay.) Thus Psychedelic Wind was born. However, our studio capabilities in terms of gear & experience were lacking at the time. The song was done on a shoestring budget. The recording, mix & master never did Psychedelic Wind justice. Despite the shortcomings behind the initial version it was very well received. Just over nine years later we’ve done the song justice. In it’s current form we’ve added drums as well as subbed out the penny whistle for a flute instead. The song has certainly come a long way as much as we have.
Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
Eric: Indeed initially I had thought Alex & I had an EP on the horizon. However, with the inclusion of Psychedelic Wind it nudges the upcoming release to a short album length. The album will be dubbed Miasma. The album title itself refers to a medieval theory that diseases spread through unhealthy vapors . It was oft a term used by The Catholic Church to explain away The Black Death. Miasma will be officially released & available on all streaming platforms August 13th. Psychedelic Wind will be closing out the album.
How do you know when work is finished?
Alex: Is a work ever truly finished? Leonardo da Vinci would add to his works overtime when he saw something he wanted to add. A recording or an album is a snapshot of where you as a person and as a group are at a given time. You need to create a recording that you would be proud of and willing to share, but, overtime, you might have additional ideas which you can add to the work when you play it for others.
Eric: Not when there is nothing left to add, but rather when there is nothing left to take away. In the past we have undertaken some pretty epic/experimental projects. However, I have found keeping things simple sounds best. It is very easy to over do things in the age of computer recording.
What is your trademark? It’s about unique sounds or behaviors on stage.
Alex: We have never tried to imitate other bands or artists. It’s very much about the music with us and a process of us searching spiritually. The flute, the reverb – I think you know it’s us when you hear us if you are familiar with our sound.
Eric: We have a classic rock sound without being a cover band. Also Alex’s flute helps immensely put us in leagues with Jethro Tull.
What are your biggest achievements so far as an artist, but also personally?
Alex: I’ve been able to grow as an event organizer overtime and give opportunities to people who are like me. That’s very rewarding. I also feel like I can communicate through music far better than ever before. That is tough to do and I am grateful to be in a place where I feel that way.
Eric: My biggest achievement personally is building Voidland Records to what it is today. Voidland Records is my project studio where all the music happens. Everything has been built with studios of the past in mind. I have a passion for tubes, transistors, transformers & when I can afford it tape. Using the same channel strips, mic preamps & microphones as my hero’s from the past I have achieved the sonics I have yearned over for many years. It took years of hard work to get Voidland Records where it is today.
And finally, what is the best piece of musical advice you have ever been given?
Alex: I don’t know if it was ever succinctly said to me, but understanding that playing music or jamming with others is just another form of communication. It’s like a conversation with them, and with your audience if you have one. Just as we seek interesting and meaningful conversations, we should enjoy our musical conversations with one another and not be so focused on how we look or whether others understand what we are trying to say musically. Have faith, enjoy the process and say what you need to say.
Eric: If you think you stink. The magic in music happens (or life generally,) when we are in zen or flow. If I stop to think about what I am doing while I am playing guitar or singing I will inevitably do worse than when I’m not thinking. It is best to let the music be the guide that generally tells you what it needs.
