Jeff Beam is on the cusp of dropping his album, “Be Your Own Mirror,” with a CD-release show Friday at the Portland Empire. It’s his third release, which is extra impressive considering he’s only 23 years old. He also plays bass in the band The Milkman’s Union.
Beam absolutely loves the psychedelic genre, and loves being in the recording studio. GO recently sent him a bouquet of multicolored questions:
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The album is called “Be Your Own Mirror.” Tell us about it.
“Be Your Own Mirror” is a phrase I’ve heard my girlfriend use, and I liked it so, I used it as the title. We are all mirrors to our surroundings, so the title has to do with being conscious of what you reflect back into the world. It was a very fulfilling project to finish. The most challenging part was making different recordings of each song until they sounded just right, as well as editing songs and shaving off the ones that didn’t fit. The best part is hearing it now, fully realized. I’m incredibly proud of this album.
How did you first become interested in psychedelic music? What do you think a common misconception is about it?
As far as I can tell, I’ve been listening to psychedelic music since I was about 2 or 3, starting with The Beatles. I clearly remember “Are You Experienced?” by Jimi Hendrix really warping my 10-year-old mind. I’ve found that psychedelic music almost always comes from the right place, and that it’s made with positive intentions.
Unifying themes in psychedelic music include expanding your perception and finding truth and honesty in life. It usually deals with existential concepts and things to which all humans can relate. The common misconception about psychedelic music is that you need to be on drugs to enjoy it.
Why did you decide to make the new album available (in limited quantities) on cassette?
I’ve sought the help of Crooked Cove to press CDs this time, as opposed to releasing handmade copies as I have for past albums. I found that I still had the desire to release something handmade, where each product is a completely unique thing. These tapes are all individually painted, so each one is totally different from one another. Plus, the sound is a little more wobbly. It’s a slightly different listening experience than hearing the CD.
Do you have a current favorite on the album, and if so, why?
Oh boy. After a strenuous internal debate, I’d have to say that “Now” is my favorite. I feel that I was able to create something that had enough universal appeal to be on the radio, but would be perhaps the weirdest thing you hear on the radio that day.
What inspired (the song) “Congratulations on Your Latest Achievement?”
I can’t talk about the specific example (he’ll probably read this), but in general, it’s about how people today just want to “get it” without caring how they “get it.” Whatever “it” may be, it’s undeserved, but they don’t care as long as it has been obtained. The process by which it’s obtained is meaningless to them. It’s all about instant gratification in today’s world.
People would be less likely to take shortcuts and cheat and steal their way to the top if we all respected the process of working for what we achieve, rather than looking for the quick fix or easiest way.
You play about a gazillion instruments. What’s your favorite?
This might be a bit of a stretch, but “the recording studio” is my favorite instrument. The ability to take a sound and bend it and warp it until it’s no longer recognizable in its original form. The ability to blend sounds together to make new sounds. With this record, I’m trying to capture existential feelings and present them in sound form, and I’d be unable to do so if not for the knobs and buttons of the recording studio.
Staff Writer Aimsel Ponti can be contacted at 791-6455 or at aponti@pressherald.com
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