Earlier this year, Allah-Las announced that they’d be touring around the US and Canada, including a stop in Baton Rouge. The show took place April 9 at Chelsea’s Live, where the four-man band, known for their surreal blend of folk and psychedelic rock, performed top hits like “Catamaran”, “Raspberry Jam”, “Houston”, as well as a few tracks from their most recent album, “Zuma 85”. This event had a smaller turnout than I expected, especially considering the attention they’ve gained lately on social media. However, most people in attendance seemed to be fans and were incredibly kind and considerate of concert etiquette, which created a much friendlier, more intimate atmosphere than I’ve ever seen at Chelsea’s.
Allah-Las was created in 2008 by Miles Michaud (vocals, guitar), Matthew Correia (percussion, vocals), Spencer Dunham (bass, vocals), and Pedrum Siadatian (lead guitar, vocals). The group was formed in Los Angeles, and quickly became an integral part of the local indie music scene, making what could be coined “California fusion.” With music varying from fully instrumental, to indie, folk, grunge, and pop, their sound takes inspiration from the psychedelic and garage bands prevalent in the area around the 1960’s and 70’s.
Once the lights dimmed and the music began, everyone at the venue seemed to fall into a trance, attempting to absorb the music. Each instrument is layered in an almost surreal way, accompanied by the retro-sounding vocals of Michaud. A few people pushed to the front to dance, but the rest stayed in place, swaying in almost perfect unison. The show flew by, only lasting about an hour and a half.
Throughout the performance, the band maintained a laid-back energy, which allowed the audience to kick back, relax, and enjoy. Weaving together elements from music of the past along with more modern lyrics and rhythm, each song nods to 1960s rock, inviting listeners to immerse themselves and forget about the outside world for a bit. With themes of psychedelia, introspection and transcendence, this group creates timeless music that can be enjoyed by anyone.
At the beginning of their career, Allah-Las toured extensively, both domestically and internationally, managing to captivate a global audience. As time has progressed, this has decreased, so I’d highly encourage anyone who has the chance to see them live to do so, or to at least take a listen. The energy felt from the stage was enough for me to want to see them again, and their music is truly unlike any other.
