On March 9 from 5:30-7 p.m, The Galaxy Electric, a psychedelic pop band filled with bossa nova and tribal rhythms, will play at the Luce Foundation Center's Luce Unplugged. In partnership with DC Music Download, this free, monthly concert series features the best of DC's local music scene. With Jacqueline Caruso's vocals and Augustus Green on the bass, synth, and beats, they will set a futuristic mood at this March performance. We spoke with The Galaxy Electric to learn how the DC experimental music scene pushes their creative boundaries, and how their set will create a mood of retro-futurism, nostalgia, and the space age.
Eye Level: You describe your band as "the music of your retro-futuristic dreams." What feeling do you hope to communicate to your audience?
The Galaxy Electric: When you sit, pause, and dream as far as your mind will take you into an unknowable future with endless possibility, you are truly free. Hope for a brighter tomorrow inspires a joyful motivation that fuels creative expression and output. We only ever want to challenge people to be joyful, peaceful, kind, and forward thinking. We enjoy rifling through the archive of futures past, and try to incorporate what still works today.
EL: When did you all start making music together and how has your music developed?
TGE: We've been working together a full decade. We've developed a comfort and intimacy beyond anything either of us has experienced before. There's nothing we can't explore together. It makes us willing to question it all, and bring that to the music. It's very personal.
EL: What is your favorite memory together as a band? Is there a specific venue you love?
TGE: We played a show at DC9, opening for the Welsh artist, Gwenno. We were so thrilled that she was coming to America, let alone to DC, and that we would get to see her play. We are still astonished we had the opportunity to share the stage with her.
EL: How do you prepare before a show?
TGE: The day of a show we have some rituals to stay focused and energized. We do rehearse a lot, because we like to be free to experiment live. We drill the mundane playing of the music so hard that we get beyond it to the next layers. We're never satisfied with the status quo or anything that feels stale.
EL: How did you think of the band's name, The Galaxy Electric?
TGE: Somewhere we heard those two words together, and we couldn't let it go. It came from the ether and chose us.
EL: How has the experimental music scene here in DC pushed your creative boundaries?
TGE: There are many talented and creative people in and around the area. It's a very positive, and from what we've seen, inclusive and supportive scene. It fosters experimentation because it allows and supports it. And there are people who want to be here and want to foster that within themselves and their communities. It's inspired us in every way.
EL: How can fans access your music?
TGE: Thank you for asking. Our website is thegalaxyelectric.com. There's a lot of music on there, as well as our bio and links to social media. Whenever we're playing shows, you can find the information on our website on the right hand side. For those who want to stay in touch, we're giving away a free song when you sign up for our newsletter.
Don't miss The Galaxy Electric's live performance this Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Luce Center. At 5:30, there will be a staff-led talk about an art piece chosen by the band. Check out more details on Luce's Facebook page. See you on Thursday!
