The Diamond Center are psychedelic folk-rockers who pair a wall of reverb and noise with an eerie gothic country creeper, creating an unique blend that is hard to put a finger on. Influenced by albums spanning the musical spectrum, they hint of Phil Spector and Joe Meek’s experimental studio style, the live rawness of the Velvet Underground, as well as the nouveau psych-folk stylings of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and Espers.
Last year saw the release of their second full length, My Only Companion, which we confess we entirely missed out on. We’re making up for that now as it has been pretty much on iPod repeat since we got a copy this week.
It is an unsettling and eerie album, filled with melancholy bitterness and a hint of drone, all overlaid with haunting vocals, minimalist percussion and layers of reverb drenched, swirling guitars.
They are about to embark on a nation wide summer tour and have a Daytrotter date sandwiched in the middle. More than enough reason we think to share with you their quite outstanding first single from the album, WTT.
Visit their MySpace here. Buy the CD from cdbaby here. go see them live (dates below).
Download The Diamond Center – WTT mp3 (from My Only Companion)
For those lucky enough to be in the States, here are the tour dates:
5/27 – Wilmington, NC @ W.E. Fest
5/28 – Roanoke, Va. @ Bazaar w/ The Young Sinclairs
6/2 – Brooklyn, NY @ Goodbye Blue Monday
6/3 – NYC, NY @ Piano’s
6/5 – Columbus, Ohio @ TBD
6/6 – Indianapolis, Ind. @ TBD
6/7 – Chicago, Ill. @ Quenchers
6/8 – Rock Island, Ill. @ Daytrotter (DAYTROTTER SESSION!)
6/8 – Dekalb, Ill. @ House Cafe
6/9 – Lawrence, Kan. @ Replay Lounge
6/10 – Tulsa, Okla. @ TBD
6/11 – Denton, Texas @ Hailey’s
6/13 – Lubbock, Texas @ Bash’s
6/14 – Austin, Texas @ TBD
6/15 – Houston, Texas @ Walter’s on Washington
6/16 – New Orleans, La. @ TBD
6/17 – Birmingham, Ala. @ TBD
6/18 – Durham, NC @ Krankie’s
7/3 – Baltimore, Md. @ Farm Fest w/ the flying eyes
The Mad Mackerel 