About Wizards: The Psychedelic Rock Visionaries
About Wizards is an American psychedelic rock band known for their immersive soundscapes and conceptual albums. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the group achieved notable commercial success with their 2018 album Chrome Canyon, which charted on the Billboard 200 and received a gold certification in Canada.
Early career
The band formed in 2012 around the core duo of vocalist-guitarist Arlo Finch and bassist Juniper Vale. Their initial self-released EPs, Digital Forest (2013) and Moon Circuit (2014), cultivated a dedicated local following with their blend of vintage psychedelia and modern production. This DIY success led to their signing with the independent label Kaleidoscope Sounds in early 2015.
Breakthrough
The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with their second full-length album, Chrome Canyon. Released via Kaleidoscope Sounds with distribution through a major partner, the album debuted at number 112 on the Billboard 200. Its lead single, Neon Glyphs, became a staple on alternative rock radio and propelled the album to move over 500,000 units globally.
Key tracks
Neon Glyphs — This breakthrough single defined their modern psychedelic rock sound and became their first charting track on the Alternative Airplay chart.
Chrome Canyon — The sprawling title track showcases their ambition with a nine-minute suite that became a fan favorite at live shows.
Liquid Sky — A collaboration with producer Solar Fields, this track highlighted their electronic influences and expanded their audience into the ambient scene.
Data Druid — Featured in the video game Cyberdrive 2077, this instrumental brought their music to a massive new international audience.
Echo Oracle — From their 2021 album, this song marked a denser, more guitar-driven direction and received critical acclaim.
Following their breakthrough, About Wizards headlined a North American tour in 2019 and performed at major festivals like Desert Daze and Levitation. Their 2021 follow-up, The Glitch Lab, saw them experimenting with progressive rock structures and debuted in the Top 20 of the US Independent Albums chart. A notable collaboration came in 2022 when they contributed production and backing vocals to The Flaming Lips' track Hyperlight Meadow.
Fans of About Wizards often appreciate the work of similar artists in the modern psychedelic rock sphere. Tame Impala shares a similar approach to blending analog warmth with meticulous studio craft. King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard parallels their prolific output and genre-blurring experimentation. The Oh Sees mirrors their energetic, fuzz-driven live performances and DIY ethos. Pond operates in a comparable lane of lush, psychedelic pop-rock anchored by strong melodies.
The music of About Wizards maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly across alternative rock radio stations and specialty psychedelic rock programs. Their tracks are frequently featured on online rock radio streams dedicated to independent and vintage-inspired sounds, ensuring their complex compositions reach eager audiences.
Listeners can explore the evolving discography of About Wizards through the radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to discover their key tracks and deep cuts broadcasting on various independent music radio stations available on onairium.com.
