Austin Psych Fest: Toro y Moi Yves Tumor Crumb & Mdou Moctar (Time: TBD) - Friday in Austin, TX

New York psych-pop band Crumb, known for blending psychedelia, pop, jazz, and rock, releases their third album AMAMA. Celebrated for hypnotic sounds and led by Lila Ramani, they've collaborated with producers Johnscott Sanford and Jonathan Rado.

Chaz Bear, known as Toro y Moi, hails from Columbia, South Carolina, and is celebrated for his genre-blending style. His eighth album "Hole Erth" explores rap-rock, pop-punk, and Soundcloud rap. Always innovative and nostalgic, Bear packs the album with features and explores angst and contemporary themes. His track "Tuesday" evokes adolescent emotions, while "HOV" blends humor and foresight, showing his ability to resonate with today's alternative listeners. Toro y Moi continues to evolve, embracing diverse sounds and eras in his music.

Japanese guitarist Makoto Kawabata formed Acid Mothers Temple in 1996, crafting psychedelic freak-outs influenced by Stockhausen and Krautrock. Known for dynamic live shows, they have collaborated with artists like Guru Guru and Bardo Pond, and released a prolific discography, including albums like "New Geocentric World" and "In 0 to Infinity," often spinning off side projects.

Mdou Moctar, hailing from Niger, is known for his Tuareg protest music. His acoustic album, *Tears of Injustice*, recorded in Brooklyn, reflects Niger's political turmoil.