Alan Palomo / Neon Indian
Alan Palomo, whose 2009 debut record released as Neon Indian, Psychic Chasms, not only earned the musician a spot on numerous year-end lists, but assisted the forming of a genre that, though known by a few names now (hypnagogic pop, glo-fi, chillwave), summoned a very unique and specific electro-mangled sound.
World of Hassle began as a new album for Neon Indian, the fourth installment of an unhurriedly growing body of work stretching back to 2009’s Psychic Chasms, with an intended swerve into vintage Peruvian cumbia and a political album concept, but was derailed by the ambiguous psychic space of quarantine, where concepts like “deadline” and “career trajectory” started to shed their certainty.
Palomo unlocked a new flow by letting go of the album concept, followed by the Neon Indian name. He bought a piano and learned to play it properly, unlocking a creative current that pulled him in unexpected but fruitful directions. From the intricate fictional details packed into the cover art (co-created by Palomo and designer Robert Beatty), to the lyrical collage of pop culture and political references, to the music’s early-digital sheen, the album evokes the 80s golden age of rock stars like Bryan Ferry and Sting leaving their own breakthrough projects to strike out as jazzy solo musicians.
It’s parody, sure—of rock star ego trips, the mall-ification of America, and our own self-obsession, even on the brink of apocalypse—but it’s also dead serious, the sound of history repeating itself as the Doomsday Clock clicks past its Reagan-era maximum and nuclear anxiety comes back into style along with digital synthesizers and sax solos. The deeper it pulls you into its own uncanny reality, the clearer it becomes how thin the borders are between Alan Palomo’s World of Hassle and our own.
Alan Palomo / Neon Indian News
Alan Palomo, the auteur musician/producer behind the long-running avant-pop project Neon Indian, has unveiled his first full length release under his own name today, World of Hassle. The record is a vivid piece of world-building that takes listeners into a surreal pocket dimension saturated with anxiety and nostalgia, where jazz-funk and wide-shouldered Claude Montana suits never went out of style, and the Cold War chill that suffused Leonard Cohen’s I’m Your Man never lifted.
Avant-pop auteur Alan Palomo (formerly Neon Indian) has shared two new tracks from his forthcoming album World of Hassle (out 9/15. “Club People” and “La Madrileña” detail vivid scenes that illuminate the aesthetic breadth of Palomo’s artistic vision.
Alan Palomo (of long-running avant pop mainstays Neon Indian) has just shared “Meutrière” from his upcoming album World of Hassle (out 9/15). Amidst a pastiche of staccato synth bass and paint-peeling sax, Flore Benguigui (of French nu-disco band L’Impératrice) and Alan deliver a multilingual Italo-disco duet detailing a film set with boiling tensions beneath the surface. In keeping with the song’s theme and Palomo’s background in film, the single arrives accompanied by a cinematic music video that acts as an homage to the 70’s Giallo subgenre.
Alan Palomo, the auteur musician/producer behind the long-running avant pop project Neon Indian, has just announced his first full length release under his own name. World of Hassle, set for a September 15 release, is a vivid piece of world-building that takes listeners into a slightly surreal pocket dimension saturated with anxiety and nostalgia, where jazz-funk and wide-shouldered Claude Montana suits never went out of style, and the Cold War chill that suffused Leonard Cohen’s I’m Your Man never lifted.
Alan Palomo, the auteur musician/producer behind the long-running avant pop project Neon Indian, has shared “Nudista Mundial ‘89,” his first release under his own name. Palomo brought the song to fruition at Mac Demarco’s studio (who also features on the recording) upon learning that he had some key pieces of gear that would help manifest the sun-bleached, funky electro-pop earworm.
Following the release of his 2019 political track “Toyota Man,” Neon Indian is back with a remix of the track by Alex Frankel. You may know Frankel from his project Holy Ghost! with Nick Millhiser. Alan and Alex have been friends for years. According to Alex the remix came naturally: “I asked Alan for the stems to the song as I heard the final mix for Toyota Man... This remix is a kind of future Supermax meets 99 Problems meets Organ Donor meets Harry Thumann reimagining of the original, at least to me!” Stream/Download the new remix below!
Neon Indian’s new single “Toyota Man” marks a new era as Alan Palomo’s first song in his native language. The track and video touch on both the personal and political experience as an immigrant. It is meant as a piece of political satire that stands in Latin solidarity.
Critically acclaimed director Terrence Malick (Badlands, Days of Heaven) will be releasing his newest film this week, Song to Song, starring Ryan Gosling and Rooney Mara. The film is set in Austin, TX and will feature a speaking role our very own Alan Palomo of Neon Indian. The film also features Iggy Pop, Lykke Li and Patti Smith.
In the wake of Prince's passing, tributes to the iconic artist have been pouring in from musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, and now Neon Indian. Neon Indian's Alan Palomo gathered a number of his friends and collaborators to try their take on the classic, "Pop Life." In the live-studio session released today on Pitchfork, you can't help but notice the love this group has for the song, the man, and of course each other.
While we wait for Holy Ghost! to release their upcoming EP Crime Cutz, Neon Indian's Alan Palomo has remixed the title track. The remix premiered through Stereogum and features an extended 7 1/2 minute version of the track perfect for the weekend.
Neon Indian is back at it again with another surreal video. This time, the video is for "Techno Clique," a dance-worthy track from the band's recent album Vega INTL. Nigh School.
Neon Indian just released a behind the scenes look at the making of the music video for "Slumlord Rising." Alan Palomo, who performs under the moniker Neon Indian, self-directed the music video, an accomplishment that had been a longtime goal of his.
Back in November, Neon Indian released a quirky commercial for his Hotline - (512) 643-VEGA - and now he's back with a second round of retro goodness.
Neon Indian teamed up with Pitchfork and GoPro for their latest installment of GP4K, a video series captured exclusively with the GoPro HERO4 Black.
Take a trip back to the '80s with this very retro commercial that Neon Indian recently released for his hotline. The commercial features "teen heartthrobs" Alan and Allan, Alan Palomo and Allan DeBarge, that are billed as "the perfect boyfriends," which is more than enough reason to give the hotline a call.
Neon Indian talks growing up in a music-filled household, studying film in college, and his combination of film and music as seen through his album VEGA INTL. Night School on NPR Music's "All Things Considered."
To celebrate the release of Neon Indian’s album VEGA INTL. Night School, we are teaming up with OAK + Neon Indian to giveaway three customized OAK Rider Jackets and vinyl copies of the LP!
(rough), a podcast by Yours Truly, recently spoke with Neon Indian, or Alan Palomo, about the story behind his track "Street Level." Although you really need to listen to the podcast to fully understand where "Street Level" comes from, know that the story involves a lost laptop, drunken night, and Alan Palomo "googling" himself.
After an unintentional four year hiatus Neon Indian has finally released the long awaited VEGA INTL. Night School! Taking queues from a former project known as VEGA, Neon Indian has dropped an album that pays homage to the sounds of the early 80's with driving synths, disco beats and dubby psychedelic vibes. Closely following the album's release was the reveal of "Slumlord Rising," a eight-and-a-half epic mini movie which perfectly weaves a tale of 80's night life debauchery carrying over all the "night school" themes Palomo speaks to on VEGA INTL. Night School.
Head over to NPR Music for a first listen of Neon Indian's new album VEGA INTL. Night School which is set to drop Friday, October 16th. You can also experience the it through the psychedelic video below which was created for the entire album by Sabrina Ratté.
Neon Indian took to Zane Lowe's Beats1 show on Thursday to premiere "The Glitzy Hive," the third single off his upcoming album VEGA INTL. Night School which is set to release this Friday, October 16th.
On August 14th, Neon Indian announced his long awaited album VEGA INTL. Night School while simultaneously dropping the second single "Slumlord." VEGA INTL. Night School is slated to drop on October 16th. You can pre-order the double LP which is cut on translucent yellow vinyl at the Mom + Pop’s store, or treat yourself to a special pre-order bundle here .
Alan dives into the issue of having a single-minded focus on authorship, and looks to answer the question “if your inspiration comes from an inner monologue or an open dialogue, does either one make it any less original an expression?”
The single is available now as part of the official 'The Music of GTAV' soundtrack on iTunes.
The EP will feature remixes of previous album tracks from Twin Shadow, Actress, Patten, Optimo, and Boyd Rice.
We love Anthony Bourdain. So we love that last night's season premiere of 'No Reservations' featured two Mom+Pop bands.
The video treatment for classic cyber-track 'Polish Girl' incorporates light painting to tell the story of a disjointed personal journey.
Watch Alan Palomo of Neon Indian perform their standout tune, "Annie," from their latest album, Vega INTL. Night School, in a VHS-saturated video that anyone can sing along to. Premiered on Noisey, the video is the result of Palomo's desire to tell a narrative within a late-80's inspired Karaoke world.