The Grassy Knoll—KUTX’s Artist Of The Month–has been confounding expectations for over two decades. There’s that provocative band name, a tongue-in-cheek nod to founder Nolan Green’s North Texas roots. And the music is a mutated form of jazz, devouring psychedelic rock, metal, hip-hop, and electronic influences along the way.
Green founded the group in the early ’90s, and from the beginning, it’s been a collaborative project. Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, and dozens from the avant-garde jazz world contributed to the early albums. After an extended hiatus, it was an out-of-the-blue call from Reid that convinced Green to give the Grassy Knoll another go. Working in his Austin-based Electric Verde studios–a nod to Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady space–Green lassoed contributions from Reid, Jon Dee Graham, Laura Scarborough of Golden Dawn Arkestra, and more.
Released as Electric Verdeland, Vol 1., the album is another idiosyncratic turn from an artist intent on pushing boundaries. “Headlong Into The Sun” is the only track created solely by Green, who constructed it in one day. Over a head-nodding groove, Green builds layers of psychedelia for something that’s both forward-thinking and catchy. Download the song below, and listen to Green’s hour-long guest DJ set here.
–Art Levy
