Artist & Album Spotlight - Astrud Gardener “Dreaming of Amethyst”
feature written by Beau Croxton
Astrud Gardener opens up a vivid dreamworld of luxurious retro-escapism on Dreaming of Amethyst.
Dylan Nowik is a musician who has already made a pretty significant splash in the independent music world. In the 2010s, he founded and led his great psych-rock group Steady Sun with two LPs and a release on Daptone records. In 2019, he co-founded Camp Saint Helene: a remarkable indie group with Jefferson Airplane-esque grandiosity and a very timeless sound heard across both of their albums. Both of these primary projects have a significant output and style; Nowik has a very calculated and commendable high-standard with all of his projects and collabs, and it continues with his latest project, Astrud Gardener.
More recently, outside of his primary groups– Dylan has made a notable contribution to Clairo’s Grammy-nominated record, Charm, and has become a frequent collaborator with El Michels Affair, Lady Wray, Babehoven, Fascinating Chimera Project and many more.
In between all of these potent projects, Nowik found himself in his own creative burst. He adopted the alter ego “Astrud Gardener” for his newest material, and began to include many collaborators– "I brought in a ton of friends, and this record started feeling more and more like a big party, with many in attendance."
Guests ranged from Maeve Schallert (Violin), Mikaela Davis (Harp), Elizabeth Ibarra, Kendra Mckinley, Alex Daud, Holland Belle and Eva Goodman, Amari Jordan (Vocals), Leon Michels (Flute), Kevin Copeland (Pedal Steel). Nowik handled all the other writing, recording, production and mixing, and the record was mastered by Adam Netsky.
Nowik seemed to take on two roles with Astrud Gardener: one as the artist of this sonic canvas, and another as a curator of other artists to paint in additional details. Much like Damon Albarn in Gorillaz, Nowik has his own significant contributions in Astrud Gardener (such as the framework), but he also serves as a creative director of his collaborators. Astrud Gardener’s Dream Of Amethyst is like a vivid gallery of his own art, and he’s assembling other artists’ work that he admires to pair alongside his own.
The title track opens the record, and it's full of gorgeous strings, and endlessly swirling, Dorothy Ashby-style harps. Word-less angelic vocals soar over the groove like some forgotten siren-song by Cortex. This deliciously retro beat would be ripe to be sampled by the retro-groove-loving, hip-hop producer The Alchemist…lets get some Astrud Gardener inclusion on Alfredo III, perhaps? You know, MF DOOM did sample Cortex for “One Beer”…
The second track “Runner of Love” has soulful, R&B-style piano and xylophone moments that sonically recall the rich and soulful world of early 1970’s artists like Roy Ayers– it is dreamy, groovy, and purely infectious. Right off the bat, the record feels very exotic, grand and immersive– Nowik has found a significant new world of escapism, becoming more of a composer and vibe curator.“White Light” uses vocals as instrumentally as the instruments themselves, and features some incredible Thin Lizzy-esque harmonized guitars weaved into its vibey haze.
Dreaming of Amethyst artwork by Casey Taylor. Album out now (and linked below)
The reverb that Nowik has splashed on the canvas for the record feels highly vintage, and it significantly stylizes the record in a retro light. The swanky, old-school influence on this project explores many new and refreshing worlds that Nowik hasn't touched on in his primary projects. Speaking on the record, Dylan said "I tried to disassociate from myself, and I fantasized about a big, lofty, luxurious aesthetic; Hence, the album title, Dreaming Of Amethyst." Nowik considered artists ranging from Dorothy Ashby, Isaac Hayes, Mulatu Astatke and Lion, to be influences on this record.
“Set It All Around Me” shines with prominent pedal steel, while the upbeat, groovy disco of “Wander” is built for the dancfloor. It's a rump shaker, but one with elegant touches– just past the one minute mark, beautiful strings switch the mood with their emotional resonance, and pianos crash down triumphantly.
“Fantasma” is a major highlight– it's decked out with spooky keys, spanish vocals, a Dap-Kings-esque drum sound, and some brilliant fuzz-guitars that sound straight out of Os Mutantes “A Mihna Menina”.
“Yucca Valley” is further proof that Astrud Gardener’s music is absolutely prime for sampling, because it's quite literally a rap banger featuring artful bars by Amari Jordan (of bilingual rap group Tulengua). The instrumental has plenty of layers to revisit, with horns, tremolo guitar riffs, organs, and dubbed-out noises in the background. It flips the record on its head, as it is a surprise-rap-banger that introduces some unexpected (and awesome) bars just before the finish line. “Nobody” strums like a retro, Laurel Canyon-jam with gorgeous strings, harps and harmonies before some more R&B touches enter the frame. It's got a classic sound, and it displays some of the strongest songwriting to close the record.
The biggest takeaway from Dreaming of Amethyst is that there is a very fruitful future in many of the different lanes explored on this record. There is a variety of directions here that are all equally successful. The curation here is the highlight, Nowik expertly weaves the instrumentation together in a way that’s purely dazzling for your ear drums and cohesive in aesthetic, despite the wide variety.
This LP should be a resounding win for anyone who’s into psychedelic, retro, and groovy music in general. There is a significant amount of intricate detail to explore in these mostly instrumental tracks, for a more focused listen. But if you are a bit preoccupied, cooking or going for a stroll— this album also serves as just about the most supreme background music possible, with its rich atmosphere. It also arrives at a perfect time, as the summer starts to fade (but continues to provide beautiful sunsets with more comfortable temperatures) . We highly recommend this album for some late summer, total chill-out music. If you're in the mood for something light, heavily vibey, gorgeous and uplifting — look no further.
Ultimately, every time is always a good time to throw on these types of vibey grooves that lead you through vivid escapism.
Check it out in full below !