Radio Vision - Ain’t It Funny
Psychedelic rock has been tripping through time for decades, from its '60s origins to its rebirth in the '90s. But in recent years, the genre has experienced a fresh surge of creativity. Bands today are taking that signature blend of mind-bending effects, dreamy atmospheres, and experimental sounds to new heights, blending it with everything from shoegaze to electronic beats. If you're into music that feels like a journey—one that might take you through swirling soundscapes or heady, blissed-out grooves—modern psychedelic rock is your ticket. Amongst the current big guys (Tame Impala/Kevin Parker, The Flaming Lips, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, MGMT, etc.) there are certainly elements of psych rock but none of them are as head–on–the–nail to the genre like the older groups: The Doors, Cream, Pink Floyd, the list goes on. That’s why we have to look deeper into local scenes, the types of bands playing biker bars with sticky floors and subpar lighting, the ones that aren’t trending on Tiktok or plastered all over the front cover of Rolling Stone. Not yet, anyway.
Radio Vision. What was once a solo project of Michigander Ben Stephenson has become a full fledged band with rhythm guitarist Haji Habiju, bassist Dan Johnson, drummer Stirling Larson, and multi instrumentalist (percussion, trombone) Tom Jakubiak, Stephenson sticking it out as the lead singer and guitarist. The group reigns from the hidden gem that is Petoskey, Michigan, pulling influences from the aforementioned greats along with Jack White, another great Michigan–born musician, and Frank Zappa. Recently, the group released Ain’t It Funny, their newest single that follows Secret Garden and Candy, two previous tracks that were dropped earlier this year.
A magnetizing drum beat opens up Ain’t it Funny, melding in with the bluesy and psychedelic trackings from Stephenson, Johnson, Jakubiak, and Habiju to create one visionary tune. The piece is much more laid back compared to the general understanding of rock music (think the type of rock that CSNY or The Grateful Dead exudes), though it still serves that sheer attitude of rock n roll through its jam–like groove and easy–on–the–ears vocals. Stephenson’s singing appears to be modified with some sort of distortion which furthers that psychedelic agenda through its disorientation that presents itself as dreamlike and transcendent. In an interview from earlier this year, Stephenson explained to me that the band “loves and hates the psychedelic rock label because it’s shared with some of the most lasting examples of rock music from the 1960s and 70s but it also has the associated drug use connotation, And (they) don’t like that”. It is understandable for him and the other members to have this standing, as everyone in the music industry and out wants to be taken seriously for their artistry, but I will say that Ain’t it Funny is also the exact vibe of a song one wants if they’re a little baked: it perfectly balances that relaxing flow and a timeless notion that sets you up for a good time. Again, though, Ain’t it Funny is a fan–fucking–tastic number whether you’re stone cold sober or up in the clouds.
After the release of Ain’t It Funny, Radio Vision doesn’t appear to have any announced plans for further music or shows (as of publishing). In the meantime, you can support the band by listening to their growing discography (available on all platforms and vinyl) or by purchasing some exclusive merchandise (click here!!). For any inquiries or booking opportunities in/around Northern Michigan, you can contact the band here at the bottom of their Linktree.