Jeff Beam was recently asked in an interview how he would define psychedelic music. “Thoughtful music, featuring experimental sonic elements while taking perhaps a more unorthodox approach to songwriting.

Combining catchy, oddball melodies with obscure but cohesive chord changes. All of this matched with existential and surrealistic lyrical content. To me, this is the best kind of music, and I once heard a tip that you should try to make the kind of music you want to hear.”

Jeff Beam grew up in a small town in the woods. At one point in his youth, he realized he could not dance very well. But before he could be paralyzed by this painful reality, this thought entered his head: "you don't need to dance if you're the one making the music!"

Thus, a musician was born.

Due to his parents' constant barrage of The Beatles "White Album," Electric Light Orchestra, The Who's Tommy, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when he was still just in swaddling clothes, Beam suspects that his mother and father attempted to infiltrate his developing young mind with beautiful melodies, hoping that they would stick and perhaps one day generate new melodies in the same vein as these classic offenders.

The success of their dastardly plan is played out over Venus Flying Trapeze, Beam’s newest LP. Presented is a 12-song psychedelic affair; the songs feature melodies that are warped and catchy, placed on top of clever chord changes that find new ways to come together. The Brooklyn-via-Boston-via-Maine musician has drawn comparisons to the studio musings and melodic flourishes of Elliott Smith and Harry Nilsson. His music also brings to mind the vigor of a young Elvis Costello, and the unconventionality of Beck and The Flaming Lips.

At 23 years of age, Beam already boasts a broad discography. Aside from a handful of self-produced full-length solo albums, he also fronted the Boston-based The Stereo Flys. The year of 2010 was fruitful; aside from the recording of Venus Flying Trapeze, The Stereo Flys released Hello Greetings From A Bunker and subsequently embarked on a three-week summer tour of the United States.

Described by one reviewer as “a mad scientist/multi-instrumentalist”, Jeff Beam’s catalog of psychedelic pop nuggets are packed with aural experiments ripe for a good pair of headphones. Venus Flying Trapeze, along with all of Jeff Beam’s other albums, is available at jeffbeam.bandcamp.com.

Press Quotes:

“Jeff Beam sounds a lot like the late Elliott Smith, if Smith had harbored a secret desire to be in a psychedelic jam band. He certainly shares Smith's multi-instrumentalist gifts: Beam has played almost all the instruments on his three releases. ...Venus Flying Trapeze shows Beam effortlessly playing the field. 'Can’t You Feel the Curve of the Earth' is a rollicking, optimistic crusade, complete with horns and smooth guitar riffs.” - Beacon Pass

“(Venus Flying Trapeze is) an album of challenging and progressive music for lovers of pop music that isn't particularly pop. Beam consistently integrates digital elements without losing an organic feel.” - Portland Phoenix

“Honest musicians with personal commitments and a precious soul to bare, Jeff Beam falls straight into this elaborate category. “ - Mojophenia (UK)

“Along side catchy vocal melodies and thoughtful lyrics, the album is riddled with interesting electronic sounds, quotes, crowd noises, and other miscellaneous murmuring. It’s very tastefully done, really complimenting the songs instead of distracting from them.” - Tight Mix Blog

“… his songs enjoy the burst of energy and life that a half-hidden smile can bring to a melody.” - Portland Press Herald

“Beam is among the more promising and imaginative players in town.” - The Bollard