“Believe it or not indie/folk fans Devendra Banhart and drummer Greg Rogove of Priestbird have come together in a sideproject they’ve christened Megapuss. Uncanny artist of freak folk Devendra Banhart, and psychedelic drummer Greg Rogove, originally were joking about their collaboration as Megapuss, but they’ve just released their debut album Surfing on iTunes earlier this month.”
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Believe it or not indie/folk fans Devendra Banhart and drummer Greg Rogove of Priestbird have come together in a sideproject they’ve christened Megapuss.

Uncanny artist of freak folk Devendra Banhart, and psychedelic drummer Greg Rogove, originally were joking about their collaboration as Megapuss, but they’ve just released their debut album Surfing on iTunes earlier this month.

Devendra, originally from Texas, grew up in Venezuela where he acquired his Latin style fans know and love.

However, Devendra’s music holds no prejudices with a flowing combination of Latin, Middle Eastern, Reggae, indie and folk reminiscent of nothing else.

Interesting fact for Natalie Portman fans, in Devendra’s album Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, she is featured in the bollywood-esque video for his single Carmensita, as a princess that reincarnates herself into a squid after Devendra has an affair with a blue goddess of change.

Bizarre, yes, but that’s Devendra for you.

Since he released his first full length album in 2002 Oh me Oh my… Devendra has collaborated with the likes of Yoko Ono, Jana Hunter, Antony, of Antony and the Johnsons and now Priestbird’s Greg Rogove.

Priestbird, formerly Tarantula A.D. classify their music as psychedelic rock and regional Mexican.

In some songs, especially Smoke and Pain from their debut album In Your Time, fans definitely hear sounds reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and the 1960s hippie movement.

Aside from the expected instruments in a band, guitar, bass and drums, Priestbird also uses the piano, organ, banjo, flute and vox to distinguish their unique sound. In fact, Greg Rogove just so happens to play 3 out of those 5 including the piano, organ and flute.

Priestbird released their debut album In Your Time in 2007.Their single Season of the Sun is currently showcased on YouTube.

After previewing Megapuss’ debut album Surfing, listeners can definitely pick out certain parts that are more reminiscent of Devendra, and those of Priestbird, and Rogove.

With songs like Crop Circle Jerk ’94, Duck People Duck Man and Surfing, the Devendra/Rogove collaboration definitely meshes well.

Devendra and Priestbird have helped pave the way for the rebirth of freak folk, psych folk, and new weird America, such genres heard throughout the hippie movement.

If you’re a fan of Devendra Banhart, or Priestbird drummer Greg Rogove, then you’ll definitely want to check out Megapuss’ debut album Surfing.

It’s definitely one that should not go unheard. Surfing is currently available digitally on iTunes only, but will be available in stores Oct. 7.

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