Premiere: Triptides’ “Let It Go”

..and they'll make you let it go, too

L-R: Stephen Burns, Glenn Brigman, Brendan Peleo-Laza;
Photo: Brad Danner

Among the newest generation of bands in the tradition of West Coast psychedelia, Triptides have blossomed into the role of elegant adventurers, continually discovering their sound

through a complex map of familiar influences and bold choices in tonality, structure and texture.

Starting in 2010 in the college town of Bloomington, Indiana, the band moved West, and so did their influences. Los Angeles brought out a more sophisticated element, with Doors-inspired organ flourishes and the spirit of The Byrds. Their live sound is bold, dynamic, synchronized chaos while in the studio they’re adventurous and surprising.

Triptides’ new CD, Alter Echoes, captures the trio at their strongest yet: at Hollywood’s famed Boulevard Studios. Neither the psychedelic history of the room nor the band’s musical mindset music plays second fiddle to the thoughtful lyrics, however.

Leader and guitarist Glenn Brigman told Elmore, “‘Let It Go’ is a song about taking life one step at a time. We’re all trying our best to make it through each day and get where we’d like to go, but if we aren’t careful then it’s easy to let the world get us down, stress us out or make us feel like we’ve missed something. This is a song about transcending those ideas of self doubt and learning how to move with the flow of life in a way that makes us feel free and happy. Letting go of the things that are holding us apart and remembering that we’re all here in this life together. We can give each other love everyday as we fly through space on this rock we call earth.”

Here, Triptides reveal themselves to be well-traveled adventurers, continuing to push the edges of the definition of psychedelic.