Official press release:
Long-running, Austin, Texas-based instrumental heavy psych/blues rock trio Tia Carrera (not to be confused with the actress/singer Tia Carrere) will release their two-track Visitors/Early Purple EP next month via Small Stone.
Featuring longtime jam team guitarist Jason Morales and drummer Erik Conn, now nearing twenty years together as Tia Carrera, the band shows zero signs of slowing down. Since recruiting old friend and fabled bass wizard, Curt Christenson (Dixie Witch, Crimson Devils) as a permanent member, Tia Carrera has emboldened its sound and dynamic, its telepathic talent, and its steadfast trajectory of heavy-psych-blues-bliss exploration. Mysteriously and famously selective about what they officially release to the public, with every performance unique through the improvisation of their music, Tia Carrera has amassed quite a collection of recorded material, both live performances and private studio recordings.
Culled from the latter is the blistering plight of “Visitors” and muscle-car groove of “Early Purple”, both of which can be heard on Tia Carrera’s forthcoming offering, set for release digitally and limited-edition vinyl via Small Stone Records March 22nd.
Their first recorded output since 2011’a critically-lauded Cosmic Priestess full-length, Visitors/Early Purple delivers thirty-four minutes of tripped-out, glassy-eyed, high energy, instrumental rock jams that soar as much as they mesmerize. The EP was tracked at The BBQ Shack and mastered by Jerry Tubb (Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash) at Terra Nova, both in Austin, Texas, with artwork by critically acclaimed artist and mural painter Tim Kerr most famously known for playing in old school punk band The Big Boys as well as Monkeywrench.
For pre-orders visit the label’s Bandcamp and listen to the title track, “Early Purple”, below:
Visitors/Early Purple track listing:
- “Visitors”
- “Early Purple”
Tia Carrera will play Small Stone’s special SXSW showcase March 13th alongside their labelmates Irata, La Chinga, Sundrifter, Dwellers, and The Cold Stares with future live performances to be announced in the weeks to come.
