Numero Group keeps on digging deeper into ‘Cosmic Americana’

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As a gamer with a deep-rooted passion for music that transcends time and genres, I can confidently say that my journey through the vast cosmos of soundscapes has led me to an intriguing corner – Cosmic Americana. This unique subgenre, which I discovered while navigating the obscure realms of vinyl records and forgotten artists, has been a fascinating find.

During the late sixties and early seventies, a fresh terminology emerged to describe a blend of roots/country music infused with psychedelic rock, or simply the rock artists’ interpretation of roots music as they sought innovative sounds.

The style or sound that we’re discussing is often credited to the late, legendary Gram Parsons, who is also known as one of its founding fathers. Many artists have followed this musical path, with some being pioneers themselves like Parsons (who was part of both The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers), while others have incorporated this sound into their work throughout their careers, such as Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, and Los Lobos.

As a gaming enthusiast, I found myself deeply immersed in the fantasy world of cosmic nations, mostly keeping it as a hobby rather than an industry. However, the game-changer was The Eagles, who managed to break commercial barriers and gain widespread popularity among gamers. But their unique sound eventually took them on a different journey.

The Numero Group from Chicago, a record label known for its exploration across multiple genres, also undertook the mission to discover underrated artists who expanded upon Parsons’ idea and frequently achieved new musical peaks. Despite their efforts, these artists rarely attained commercial success.

Numero Uno explores a unique subgenre

In 2016, the first volume of Numero’s Cosmic Americana series, titled “Wayfaring Strangers: Cosmic American Music,” was published. Now, in the year 2024, Numero has followed up with a companion album named “Cosmic American Music: Motel California.

Both compilations focus on the more obscure artists, most of which released their music through private presses, with the  first one concentrating on the artists that were steeped in trying to discover new realms of the sound, with their subculture roots showing strongly.

This “Motel California” series focuses on musicians who utilized independent record labels, similar to The Eagles’ approach. However, unlike The Eagles, these artists drew inspiration from their success, yet they never quite achieved the same level of fame. Despite this, their music was at least on par with the quality that The Eagles produced.

Regardless, both collections merit consideration, not just by enthusiasts of the specific genre, but also by those looking to explore and understand it better.

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2024-10-18 03:01