THE PSYCHEDELIC ROAD LESS TRAVELED

 When Wooden Shjips pressed its first single, “Dance California b/w Clouds Over Earthquake,” in vinyl, they scored an accidental hit across the record freak blogosphere and a handful of record deals. Initially a loose jam collective, the band took a purposefully hippy-dippy name—but as the lineup solidified, the sound got harder, and they added the “j” in tribute to Swedish groups who carried hard psych through the ‘80s and ‘90s. The Shjips’ sound rings with a molecular buzz, a fusion of aesthetic minimalism and psychedelic rock that traces back to later-day Velvet Underground. Bassist Dusty Jermier and drummer Omar Ahsanuddin lock down droning, driving grooves, while Nash Whalen’s organ and guitarist Ripley Johnson’s echoplexed guitar shred and reverb-soaked vocals crash in waves of saturated noise. “A lot of rock and roll has lost that sort of primal, minimalist feel,” says Johnson. “That’s what interests me—that and experimental music that pushes the boundaries.” www.woodenshjips.com

WASSABI JAM

In true jamband fashion, Vancouver’s The Wassabi Collective has two main goals when it comes to performing: make you dance and make you think. By combining socially conscious lyrics and forward political activism with world-beat-infused trance, reggae, funk and soul, the quintet has become one of Canada’s best live acts. Led by sultry vocalist and percussionist Melissa Meretsky, the collective mixes Particle’s groove with Toubab Krewe’s global consciousness, dusted off with a Deep Banana Blackout-themed sensuality. “We aim to keep people moving for hours while spreading good intentions to create music that inspires positive people, in order to engender positive change,” explains Meretsky. This spring saw the release of Stories Not Forgotten, the band’s most accomplished sonic feast to date, successfully transcribing its live ferocity in the studio, ensuring that the Wassabi Collective will, inMeretsky’s words, “continue to spread a message of environmental, social and spiritual activism through music.” www.wassabi.net

Click Here to Listen to The Wassabi Collective - "One Day"

FAMILY STYLE

“Kids are drawn to pop radio,” says singer/songwriter Lisa Michaelis. Yet when her daughter started lip-syncing to songs, Michaelis and husband Billy Schlosser realized the lyrics were inappropriate. They began writing pop songs for children and creating music for kids and parents to enjoy together. Michaelis and Schlosser met on Star Search, became song writers for Warner/Chappell and enjoyed success writing the No. 1 Billboard dance hit “Rain Falls” (performed by Michaelis) and working with Steely Dan. When Emily was born, they traded the music business for quiet family life. “Now we’re doing something as a family,” says Michaelis, who along with her husband and their 11-year-old daughter, Emily Schlosser, formed Laughing Pizza. “I’ll hear a chorus in my head and sing one line,Billy does the groove underneath it and Emily adds the lyrics. It’s real and not like we’re trying to write our next hit. And it’s awesome to do something together!” www.laughingpizza.com

ROOTS ROCK REGGAE

Since 1999, Roots of Creation, a New Hampshire-based quartet, has skillfully mingled bouncy dancehall beats with political overtones. The result: reggae funk rock that erupts on stage, severing artist-audience barriers while summoning fans to join them in an awakening.“Music is the key to raising consciousness and spreading positive vibes,” says Brett Wilson (guitar, vocals). “Music has a power to connect people in a way nothing else can.” This belief motivated the band’s participation in several benefit concerts including the Peace and Justice Rally on the Boston Common, Save Sudan, Bands for Cans and Strangers Helping  Strangers. Their do-gooder energy has seen the band jamming with Sam Kininger, Gordon Stone and membersof the John Brown’s Body horns section. Rise Up, their latest, showcases these magnetic collaborations. “By 2010 we will be headlining Bonnaroo, touring internationally and have sold 1,000,000 CDs on our own label, Bombshelter Records,” says Wilson. “If that doesn’thappen, I will be happy with just continuing to give people songs to sing along with, lyrics to reflect on and music they can dance their asses off to.” www.rootsofcreation.com

Click Here to Listen to Roots of Creation - "Universal Soldier"

PURDY QUICK CLIMBER

When Joe Purdy was ten, his father gave him an old stereo and free rein to play his 300-plus album collection full of James Taylor, Bob Dylan and British Invasion artists. “I just wanted to sit at home and listen to those songs. Those songs have lyrics with great melodies, full imagery,” he reminisces. It was tim  well spent. Purdy, 26, just released his fifth album (Only Four Seasons,Warner/Chappell) which has the same straightforward, image-packed sound as that of his idols. The album has attracted buzz and the ear of Pete Townshend, who had Purdy play a recent Chicago gig with him. Still, the former Arkansas dock worker has a long climb ahead. “Sometimes when you jump steps to get somewhere, you end up back at the bottom quickly  I have to put the effort in to make thiswork,” he says. Something tells us he will. www.joepurdy.com

Click Here to Listen to Joe Purdy - "Easier"