Of Montreal 5.9.18

With inspiration and influences ranging from figures like Prince, Angela Davis, Noam Chonsky, James Baldwin, and Malcom X, psychedelic-pop group Of Montreal are back at it with their danceable, weird, and colorful new album White is Relic/Irrealis Mood. Frontman Kevin Barnes is a self-described scatter brain, which exemplifies the perfectly crafted chaos in the band’s music. Barnes further explains that the inspiration behind the album included discovering extended plays from Prince’s opus that had been cut off the records, and becoming familiar with the works of revolutionary thinkers and writers. Barnes jokes that he is personal friends with figures like Howard Zinn and James Baldwin, but is serious about the lack of a true reality and diverse worldview in our education system. He values the importance of people who can “show you the light” and can tell a history that counters the victor’s perspective. While their album is not overtly political, there are always subtexts that exist and messages to be gleaned from their unique sound. Before headlining a show at Mohawk last night, Of Montreal stopped by Studio 1A to play a live set for our concert club members. Check out their set and interview below!

-Eileen Wolfowicz

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