The Great Entheogenic Psychonaught

A collection of songs by the group of SoundCloud artists known as The Eclectic Collective. Mostly original music (they have a few covers), and definitely an original sound. I’ve had the pleasure to write and or contribute on more than a few songs, but mostly I just love hearing what these very talented fellows come up with on a weekly basis!

Graphic art logo design by me  ☺️

The Eclectic Collective [playlist]

This is a song by one of my favorite bands that, believe it or not, Chris suggested we do. I really feel like we're kindred musical spirits. His playing on this and his voice are excellent as always. He's on acoustic guitar and the high vocals on this one. He also mixed, produced, and arranged the song. You'll hear me on the bass, synth, slide, mandolin, and auxiliary guitar, as well as singing the two low parts. We decided to do a string of covers back in the summer. If you've taken the time to read this, then please throw out some suggestions in the comments for our next one (or the one after that). 
#gratefuldeadcover

Friend of the Devil by the Grateful Dead  (with cgmaness)

This is a song that Steve of Steve's Planet wrote and for which recorded the vocals and acoustic guitar. He then gave it to Ken (K2 and the Three, K2 and the Four) to play with it. Ken added rocking drums and perfect backing vocals. Ken then sent it to me, and I added the bass, organ, piano, and more, high backing vocals. Then we got Tez (Llanpsych) involved to work his magic and mix the beast, which he did masterfully, as usual. This is our first song with Steve, but it certainly won't be the last. We hope you enjoy it.

Better Than Nothing (Eclectic Collective)

This is a perfect song for collaboration that JJ came up with on the keys and bass, based on a really cool drum track that Ken (K2 and the Three, K2 and the Four) gave him. They are both wildly creative, and left the perfect amount of collaborator space, as they do on every song. Then I got a hold of it and added the main guitar, lap slide, mandolin, and some synth. Then we sent it over to Stephen (TexMex Shaman), who added that really cool guitar solo at the end of the first part, and some more guitar to the end. Also, and very importantly, Stephen produced and mixed this for us. Talk about monumental task! It was like we gave him a basket of cats, and he made a cohesive thought out of it. I'm amazed. I can't overstate how much I enjoy making music with these three sorcerers. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did making this.

Junebug (Eclectic Collective)

This is a song that has been a long time coming. Ken (K2 and the Three [and the Four]) and I have been big fans of Artur (Surfers Like Us) for going on a year now, because of his unique, refined, genre-specific songwriting and excellent playing. We've both been bugging him almost that entire time to share one of his songs with us. So, he finally agreed. This is the result. 
  I posted it and Ken, who added the perfect drums and percussion, was already on board. Then we invited JJ for some dynamic, soulful organ. We then asked Tez to add a lead and mix it for us. He added a killer, tasteful lead, and performed the heroic task of mixing it to all of our liking. I'm on my four string fretless for this one. I wish we could've squeezed Stephen (TexMex Shaman) into this one, but he'll definitely be on the next. We all hope you enjoy it!

Surf Dance (Surfers Like Us with Eclectic Collective)

This is a song that originated with Steve of Steve's Planet. He came up with a really cool guitar instrumental and the vocals, which he is very passionately singing,  while travelling through the primordial forests of Central Europe and shared it with all of us. I added the bass and the electric piano. Tez (Llanpsych) added the really cool guitar parts that sound like orchestral violins. Ken (K2 and the Three, and K2 and the Four) added the perfectly complimentary rolling drums. Stephen (TexMex Shaman) added the awesome, trippy sitar and pulled the whole thing together as an expert producer and mixer. Tez also mastered it. Hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it.

Bird in the Blue Sky (Steve's Planet with Eclectic Collective)

This is a song that was written by the very talented Artur (Surfers Like Us), who is a surf rock master, and delivered to us in the form of a guitar track. I enjoyed adding the psychedelic, yet foundational four string fretless bass. Ken (K2 and the Three and K2 and the Four) boosted the energy level of the song when he blew our minds with his driving drums. JJ (J.J. Terrell) added the wild, dynamic organ you hear throughout. Tez (Llanpsych) brought lightning down from the sky in the solo over the third section. And last, but certainly not least, Stephen (TexMex Shaman) laid down the mind-bending guitar solos over the first two sections. He also produced and mixed it, with a little help from Ken. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as our Eclectic Collective enjoyed making it.

A Time Race (Surfers Like Us with Eclectic Collective)

Cast of characters:
mistermark--@user-432503709--Mark---piano, drums, FX, and composition
Llanpsych--@llanpsych--Tez—electric guitar, production, and mix
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)--@josh-clary-1—four string fretless bass and electric guitar

This originated as just a short piano thing that I (Mark), wrote a while ago after. At the kind request to collaborate on something, I sent it to Josh, who took it into a whole new direction by adding the fretless bass and some delay-heavy electric guitar. That inspired me to add some drums and a few sonic effects. Then we got Tez involved, who added not only the screaming guitar parts in the meat of the song, but also the entire insane 'reverse' coda at the end. Tez also produced and mixed this for us, expertly. This is the first of hopefully many songs I get to do with Josh & Tez - we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. :)

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Heavy Steps (with Entheogenic Psychonaught & Llanpsych)

Cast of characters:
Steve's Planet--@steve-vervaet—Steve—acustic guitar, vocals, lyrics, composition/arrangement

TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman–Stephen–electric guitar, production, and mix

J.J. Terrell--@j-j-terrell—JJ—organ

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara–Ken–drums, percussion, and low vocal harmony

Llanpsych–@llanpsych–Tez–electric guitar 

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1–Fender precision bass  


This song began as an acoustic guitar and vocals stem written and performed by Steve. He sent it to me, and I added the undulating staccato bass line, with the help of Ken's always well-suited drums. We went back and forth a couple of times, as is our process, until it clicked. Tez added some really dynamic leads and fills throughout, and Stephen filled in the rest of the electric guitar in a Keith/Ronnie kind of way, which is very tasteful. JJ then added some perfectly complimentary organ. Finally, Ken pleasantly surprised us with the low vocal harmonies, which were spot on. 
  Stephen also mixed and produced this one for us. He's brilliant behind the board, and we're lucky to have him aboard. This one came together in a matter of a relatively short period of a fortnight, which is rare for the Eclectic Collective. But, when something is hot and already put together, it comes quickly. We all hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Lyrics:
Fallin’
Wandering aimless
Couldn’t shoot straight
No ability
Not much to say
There was no sign of me
Good times, bad times
Leaving out the sad times
Easily
That’s what they’re telling me
Mend or break
Looking over rooftops
Coming to a full stop
Suddenly
On a sad height
Raging endlessly
Breakline, beeline
Picking up the freeline
Easily
Follow my way
Leavin’ the fast lane
My- My mind is fallin’
When I think about, losing out
There’s no doubt, you started fallin’ x2
And I – I’ve been going my way
One more time, only today 2x
My- My mind is fallin’
When I think about, losing out
There’s no doubt, you started fallin’ x2

Fallin' (Steve's Planet with Eclectic Collective)

Here it is! A highlight reel of Eclectic Collective's greatest moments in the year 2023. This medley includes short interviews with group members, interspersed with their music. Special thanks to Jeff (StonerJazz) for hosting the Q&A, and to J.J. for assembling the medley. 

The Eclectic Collective (EC) is a very loose band of musicians who collaborate over the internet and communicate via email only. I'm honoured to have worked with the EC on a few songs, and look forward to playing with them again soon! Hope you enjoy listening!

CAST OF CHARACTERS (including interview start times):
Hosted by: StonerJazz on.soundcloud.com/6qwFQ
(1:32)    J.J. Terrell - keys, synth, organ on.soundcloud.com/ivM1E
(4:30)   Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary) - bass, lap slide guitar @josh-clary-1
(7:03)    K2 and the Three - drums, percussion @k2andthe3
(9:02)    Llanpsych - guitar, effects on.soundcloud.com/xehCe
(11:06)  TexMex Shaman - guitar, effects @texmex-shaman
(18:20)  MisterMark - piano, synth strings, vocals, effects on.soundcloud.com/qMWgp

Not interviewed in this piece, but a big thank you from all of us goes to:
Artur of Surfers Like Us @user-411502040
Mysterious Decibel @themysteriousDecibel
Steve of Steve’s Planet @Steve-Vervaet
Chris Maness @user-419254289-15129531

No animals were harmed in the making of this medley. ;)

(logo design my MisterMark)

The 2023 Eclectic Collective Rockumentary

Cast of Characters:

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ, electric piano, drums, synth sax, synth bass, composition, and arrangement 
Llanpsych-- @llanpsych -- Tez – guitar
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– guitar, production, mix, and mastering
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–ehru 
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – lap steel

This ripe piece of funk started with JJ essentially composing it on the e. Piano, organ, drums, synth sax, ands synth bass. He had the Eclectic Collective in mind when he did so, though. JJ actually is playing his drum kit on this one, so funkily that we decided to keep his drums in there. That didn't leave a whole lot of room for Ken to get in on it, but he managed to add a really cool ehru part. The ehru is a two stringed Asian violin with a distinct high percussive sound. JJ's bass line was so well played and solid, we decided to keep it in there, too, which also left Josh searching for a place in the mix. He decided to go last with the lap slide to anchor the foundation of the blues idiom. But he did that after Stephen and Tez cast their spells on the song with their magical guitars. Tez can be heard with the trippy, delay-heavy staccato lines, and Stephen with the silky smooth crying blues lines throughout. 
  Of course, every great song needs a great mixer and producer, and we're lucky enough to have Stephen to do the honors on this one for us.
  This song represents The Eclectic Collective at our funky finest, and we always enjoy and appreciate when JJ starts a song for us. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it. 
  If you really dig it, and have read the whole way to the bottom, please consider sharing this, too. We all appreciate your ears and support.

Sly Willy Blues (Eclectic Collective)

Cast of Characters:
Stonerjazz-- @user-911083679 -- narration of questions
Surfers Like Us– @user-411502040 –Artur– guitar
mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark -- piano, organ, clavinet, synth, synth effects, harmonica, jaw harp, flute, VST instruments (horns, upright bass, guitar, fiddle, strings), drums, percussion, vocals and lyrics, production
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – guitar and production
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– guitar, banjo, slide, sitar, and production
J.J. Terrell–@j-j-terrell –electric piano, organ, synth, bass, drums, vocals, and production
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums, percussion, and vocals
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –- guitar, bass, madolin, keys, banjo, lap steel, sitar, and vocals

Huge thanks, too, to the other featured musicians to whom we're very grateful to for sharing their music and talents with us this past year. They are the fuel that drives the EC into new musical realms. They include:

CGMANESS-- user-419254289-15129531
TEA R. SEA-- @tea_are_sea
STEVE'S PLANET-- @steve-vervaet
JOHN ANTHONY-- @john-anthony-871225464
ELPIVERSE-- @elpiverse
SCOTTY (ONE MAN VERITY SHOW)-- @one-man-verity-show
ROY ROY-- @user-967672349
MARK FOSELLA-- @mark_f_2019
FRANS BEELAARD-- @user-936947521
THE MYSTERIOUS DECIBEL-- @themysteriousdecibel
DAVID MARCONI-- @david-marconi-917184705
RON LEWIS-- @ron-lewis-779503933
JEFF ROBERTS -- @jeff_roberts
JAMES TOBUREN (WITCHES OF THE ALAMO)-- @witchesofthealamo

Well folks, it's that time of year again. It's time for the Eclectic Collective to take stock of the fruits of the year previous, and reflect on what making music together means to all of us. We hope you all take a chunk of time and indulge in our thanks to you. We wanted to address every one of our SoundCloud friends with our voices as an intimate way to connect with each of you.
This has become a tradition within the EC now that we've made it to our second (and a half) year of making music together. For the second time, JJ asked our friend and sometimes collaborator Jeff (Stonerjazz) to ask some interview questions of us. Then, we all came up with the answers and sent them to JJ to assemble the project.
This motley music machine we've created, that manages to release a new song every Friday, wouldn't mean anything if no one was listening. Which is why we want to extend our very sincere thanks to you for tuning in and supporting our efforts, and inspiring us with the amazing music you share as well! With that, we hope you enjoy hearing us voice our thoughts over the highlights of our musical year as much as we enjoyed a year rich in music and comradery. Happy New Year!
Here's a breakdown of the time stamps for each of our individual questions and answers:
1:28 TEZ Q1
2:20 TEZ Q2
2:37 TEZ Q3
4:42 KEN Q1
7:36 KEN Q2
13:04 MARK Q1
18:42 STEPHEN Q1
23:21 JOSH Q1
27:36 ARTUR Q1
32:00 J.J. Q1

The 2024 Eclectic Collective Rockumentary

"Magic is what we do. Music is how we do it." -- Jerry Garcia

Welcome to my page, my peers, associates, friends, and musical family. I'm a lifelong, multi-instrumentalist musician who records prolifically and joyfully. You'll hear me play guitar, bass (regular four string, and four and five string fretless), mandolin, banjo, keys (piano, organ, synth), lap slide, sitar, and sing on my recordings here. I've been in a few dozen bands in my life, playing everything from bluegrass, jazz, rock, jam band, reggae, funk, afrobeat, Middle Eastern, traditional Irish, singer/songwriter, pop/covers, to experimental/avant garde. 
  Since I found SoundCloud a couple years ago, I've found many talented, creative people with whom to create music. However, in the summer of '23 I formed a band called The Eclectic Collective with some of my favorite musicians I've met through here. It started as a loose collective of musicians and coalesced into a core group of musicians who find other musicians with whom we'd like to make music, then run their songs through our process, and in effect add a full band. That core of The Eclectic Collective includes Tez (Llanpsych), J.J. Terrel, Ken (K2 and the Three), Stephen (Texmex Shaman), Chris (cgmaness), and Mark (mistermark). A couple of other musicians are frequent collaborators, as well, including Artur of Surfers Like Us, and Steve Vervaet of Steve's World. More recently, we've been joined by Carl of The Beautiful Dark fame. 
  The magic of music is amplified exponentially by each person adding to it. So, we really try to add our sorcery all kinds of music from all kinds of artists. Sometimes, we keep it within the group, but a lot of what we do is collaboration with other artists. Therefore these days, 100% of what I do is collaboration, within the group or with other artists on the side.
  I, and we, are also available for hire if you have a song or lyrics and you really want to add bigger instrumentation or a band and good production to it. 
  A small sampling of the artists whom I consider primary influences, and whom you will hear coming through my fingers include Phish, The Flaming Lips, The Grateful Dead, Radiohead, Rye Cooder, Steve Earle, Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, Arcade Fire, Mikey Dread, Yellowman, Purpleman, The Meditations, Michigan and Smiley, Lee Perry, Dillinger, Django Reinhardt, Impossible Recording Machine, The Allman Bros Band, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Bela Fleck, Les Claypool, Sam Bush, David Grissman, John Prine, Talking Heads, Beastie Boys, MMW, Moe., Morphine, Ween, Steve Lukather, Michael McDonald, John Abercrombie, Dave Holland, John Scofield, Victor Wooten,  Cannonball Adderly, Thelonious Monk, Flea, Parliament Funkadelic,  Frank Zappa, Prince Paul, Pete Rock, Thievery Corporation, Amon Tobin, Chet Baker, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, Carol Kaye, Tame Impala, Mumford and Sons, Japanese Breakfast, LCD Soundsystem, Beach House, Sean Lennon, and Billy Strings, but of course there are many more. I also really like and am influenced by traditional Iranian, Palestinian, Indian, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, Mauritian, Somalian, Egyptian, West African, and Syrian music. I welcome anyone who plays non-western music to contact me for a collaboration, too.
 I'm overjoyed to have found my community on SoundCloud. This is a truly unique forum where everyone is sincerely trying to build each other up. The profoundly supportive and positive SoundCloud community has really opened up an exciting new world of collaboration for me. That is the main reason I'm in the Cloud, actually, to connect with other musicians and make music that I enjoy listening to, and hopefully others do, as well. I am ALWAYS looking to collaborate with interesting musicians, mostly though BandLab, which is where I record almost exclusively. It's a solid, free digital audio workstation hub where you can share recording projects, even if it's not where you make your recordings.
  Everything I do is live instrumental, not programmed, and using no computer beyond my phone. That's not to say that I would be opposed to using that kind of tool, it's just not my preferred medium with which to paint. If you like my music, please share it. If you want to collaborate, my BandLab handle is @bingo_pajama. Feel free to contact me at cornbreadband@hotmail.com, as well, even if you aren't on BandLab.
  If your music is primarily AI, please don't come around my page, as I'm not at all interested in complimenting a machine.
  Here's a link to music I've recorded live with a group of musicians here in Pittsburgh called The Northumberland Street Ramblers.
Check out The Northumberland Street Ramblers on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/fU4Me