Austin psych-rock explorers Food Group blend genres and incorporate acoustic sounds to make reflective experimental music. Formed in 2013, the band consists of singer and guitarist Eric Lyday, keyboardist Wiley Greene, bassist Luis Rangel, and drummer Jeff Olson—with a rotating group of friends that provide additional instrumentation and fill in every now and then. Food Group’s sound has evolved since their early single-microphone demos, incorporating elements of chamber pop, folk, and electronic music. Their more recent efforts have been sonically darker and more progressive while still touching on the themes of love, loss, and spirituality that are present in their earlier work.
With “Lakespirit,” Food Group takes their psychedelic journey underwater. The instrumentation seems to move around Eric Lyday’s singing until it reaches a fever pitch of wailing organs and crash cymbals. The live interpretation of “Lakespirit” recorded in Studio 1A features arpeggios that are even dreamier and brings attention to Lyday’s vocals in particular. We were very lucky to have the band visit KUTX and add a new dimension to one of Food Group’s most energetic and romantic songs. The jangling guitars and spacey synths work like a long extended metaphor, equating the feeling of love to the feeling of floating.
“Lakespirit” appears on Here Today, out now via Bandcamp. Food Group will be playing a free show at Cheer Up Charlie’s on Saturday, December 9th with Particle Devotion, Lola Tried, The Hermits, and Ama.
-Harold Urteaga, KUTX Music Intern
