Austin-based Indie Psychedelic Collective “Molecular Steve” Talks New Album, ACL Festival Performance

Emerging from the Heart of the Austin Music Scene

Molecular Steve, an indie psychedelic music collective from Austin, is gaining attention with its vibrant mix of eclectic music styles and creative storytelling. This brainchild originally began as a father-son duo and has now grown into a nine-member collective, featuring former members of local Austin bands like Prescott Curlywolf, The Damnations, and The Meat Puppets. Their debut eponymous album was officially released on July 19, via Athens, Georgia-based Strolling Bones Records.

An essential part of Austin music culture, the group is slated for a performance at the highly-anticipated ACL Music Festival, scheduled for the second weekend of September.

Conversations with a Unique Collective

In an exclusive discussion, Molecular Steve offered insights into the birth of their collective, their experience performing in the Austin music industry, and their upcoming appearance at the ACL Music Festival.

Revealing the genesis of Molecular Steve, the founder explained how the group formed without any initial intention of creating an album or seeking a record deal. Stemming from a long-standing involvement in the music industry, old songs and riffs were re-explored and completed, initially only for entertainment purposes. However, the outcome was unexpectedly great, leading to the involvement of additional members and eventually the return to their old record label.

Nostalgia, Change, and the Austin Music Scene

Molecular Steve spoke fondly of the golden days of performing in Austin during the 90s, characterizing the era as a great time for experimental music, inspired by the kick-off of the South By Southwest festival. Nevertheless, the group admits that the current Austin music scene harbors a fantastic lineup of emerging bands.

Their sentiment was tinged with nostalgia for classic venues that no longer exist, expressing disappointment at the disappearance of hotspots like the Electric Lounge and Liberty Lunch. However, they also appreciated how the current music scene is more diverse and innovative, while avoiding the pitfall of languishing in 90s nostalgia.

From Father & Son to Vibrant Collective

When asked about the experience of making music with his son, the father half of the founding duo described it as unbelievable. Recalling their shared musical history, he spoke about the exposure his son had to indie rock shows from a young age, nurturing an early love for bands like Guided By Voices and Gorillaz.

A special note was made of the tremendous talent displayed by the younger generation and how it has inspired the collective’s musical creation. The ensemble is appreciative of this diversity of influences, which they believe keeps the group passionate, invigorated, and excited about new learning experiences in music.

Musical Evolutions and Future Endeavors

Setting their sights on the future, Molecular Steve hinted at plans for the next generation of songs which they promised would be even more varied and eclectic. Reflecting on the experiences of older songwriters, they advocated for ongoing openness to new music that inspires them, while also acknowledging music so good that it prompts reflection on their own creations.

They concluded by emphasizing their aversion to pigeonholing their music into any single genre or style, promising fans a unique and diverse musical experience in their future discography.