Magic Castles release "Death Dreams" video, touring with Brian Jonestown Massacre

Photo By Zane Spang

A ideal day such as this one is the perfect time to check out the blissful, sunny psych-pop featured in Magic Castles new video "Death Dreams." The local group playfully lists their sound as "mysticore," and that ambiguous description suitably fits their leisurely, psych-rock sound.

The group just put out a self-titled, double-vinyl album on A Records, an imprint run by Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe, and now they have released a confusing but altogether fitting video for "Death Dreams," which features a hallucinogenic hodgepodge of old footage combined with subliminal street graffiti statements like "Who cares?"

It's a surreal, chaotic visual accompaniment to a rather buoyant number, despite it's somewhat morbid song title, an exuberant dichotomy that has come to be associated with aspects of the slightly enigmatic Magic Castles, who are still in the process of carving out their own unique space in the Twin Cities music scene despite being a band for over six years now.

Magic Castles have a gig coming up this Saturday night at Hell's Kitchen, as well as an intimate show at the Kitty Cat Klub on June 7, before a high profile tour opening for the Brian Jonestown Massacre launches at First Avenue on August 16, bringing them to the Metro in Chicago as well as some prominent venues on the East Coast. It seems that after spending plenty of time in the hazy, obscure shadows of the local scene, the spotlight is finally starting to shine on Magic Castles.

Upcoming Tour Dates for Magic Castles:

May 26           Hell's Kitchen                            Minneapolis, MN                     

Jun 07             Kitty Cat Klub                          Minneapolis, MN                     

---Following Dates Opening for Brian Jonestown Massacre---

Aug 16             First Avenue Mainroom         Minneapolis, MN       

Aug 17             Turner Hall Ballroom             Milwaukee, WI           

Aug 18             The Metro                               Chicago, IL                

Aug 20             Variety Playhouse                   Atlanta, GA     

Aug 21             Cat's Cradle                            Carrboro, NC

Aug 22             9:30 Club                               Washington, DC       

Aug 23             Union Transfer                       Philadelphia, PA         

Aug 24             Royale                                    Boston, MA