WAKAAN mainstay Shlump composes a mind-altering single in “Psychedelic Explorer,” leading a trippy trek to the far ends of bass music. A mystical aura transcends the hallucinogenic track with its warping low-end basses and deep, resonating arpeggios. Rippling atmospherics and delicate melodics drift among the ethereal space guided by sporadic samples referencing the namesake. “Psychedelic Explorer” is a polished demonstration of Shlump’s artistic prowess, while simultaneously exploring his profound experiences with psilocybin.
Regarding his artistic process, Shlump tell us:
“I wrote Psychedelic Explorer during a time when I started experimenting with microdosing psilocybin. I have been a psychedelic explorer for many years but taking microdoses was a new experience for me. I wrote a series of tunes that reflect what I was feeling and going through at that time. More of a melodic laid back feel to this one. There was a sense of novelty to writing something with a chill rhythm and melodic atmosphere. I sampled a few minor vocal clips from a lecture about psychedelics that I felt were appropriate. “What it does is break down boundaries” is referring to the boundary of our ego or identity that seems to separate reality. There is a sense of merging with a large energy of universe that I feel really reflects the psychedelic experience.”
Following the release of this unwavering psychedelic journey, Shlump is gearing up for an onslaught of summer festivals. Be sure to catch the transformative live performances of Shlump at Sonic Bloom Festival, Shambhala Music Festival, Interstellar Festival, Elements Music & Arts Festival, and more!
“Psychedelic Explorer” by Shlump was released on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, via WAKAAN.
More about Shlump
Michael Petzel aka Shlump grew up in California’s Bay Area, learning the guitar at age 9 and falling in love with music at first through the energy of metal and punk. Developing a taste for electronic music in high school via Apex Twin, Squarepusher, and Warp Records, he began to jump into music production, combining drum loops with recordings of his guitar. After being blown away the sub bass in his intro to dubstep, Coki and Cluekid’s “SensiDub,” and experiencing his first west coast electronic music festivals, Michael’s love for bass music bloomed and he began to to develop his signature sounds as he dedicated himself to his music career.
Infusing elements of classic dubstep with west coast flavor with otherworldly sound design, Shlump has pioneered his unique “Alien Bass” sound, creating a vibrant galaxy of bass filled with forward thinking nuance and massive waves of low end. His live sets take audiences across the continent on a psychedelic spaceship ride through Shlump’s universe, visiting high energy devastating supernovas of bass and voyaging into deeper realms filled with the cosmic twinkle of sonic stardust. Shlump has abducted the ears of a wide range of electronic music fans with releases on Wakaan, Deadbeats, CircusRecords, Deep Dark & Dangerous, along with collaborations with and remixes for artists such as Liquid Stranger, LSDream, and Doctor P.
He has showcased his Alien Bass sound at festival stages such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Shambhala, Bass Canyon, and many more. While at home, Shlumpenjoys skateboarding, hiking, and spending time with his kitten and family in between exploring the auditory mysteries of outer space.
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