Mayatrix & The Psychics, formerly known as Moana, Return with new single Mortal & Divine plus Launch Party in Badlands
Perth psychedelic act Mayatrix & The Psychics have delivered their sensual new single,
Mortal & Divine NOW
Formerly known as Moana, the birth name and driving force of vocalist, Moana Mayatrix, who was once described by Triple J’s Gemma Pike as one of Australia’s fiercest front women, Mayatrix & The Psychics are a spellbinding, cosmic force of nature.
Mayatrix & The Psychics conjure the raw heft of rock, infusing it with a psychedelic elixir that is 2-parts surreal and 3-parts big-time sensuality. On stage, they come-on like a jolt to your cerebral cortex from a fever dream, dazzling crowds with their electrifying and theatrical stagecraft.
Since the group’s inception in 2013, countless words have been written about the avant garde art rock outfit, all edging around the idea that there is something otherworldly, verging on genuinely dangerous, about this act. Combining the shamanic stream-of-consciousness poetry of peak- era Patti Smith with psychedelic melodies, heavy guitar licks, and propulsive rhythms, they don’t so much craft songs as pagan prayers set to the heartbeat of the world
This has earned them a devoted fan base across Australia and around the world, resulting in key support slots for the likes of Venom Inc., Ocean Alley, and Abbe May.
On the new single, the band say that it is a ‘Heavy-psych head banger with a galactic groove, spellbound betwixt manic alien war anthem and mystical divine essence…’
Listen to Mortal & Divine here
https://li.sten.to/mayatrixmortaldivine
**********
So why the name change?
Meaning ‘the ocean’ Māori-Australian artist Moana Mayatrix name carries much significance, power and islander magick. It is a perfect expression of the journey of the band as Moana over the last 10 years, for which they have been so grateful: it’s been a vast sea of much experimentation, learning and growth. The artistic and musical offerings of creative powerhouse and shapeshifter Moana Mayatrix have become increasingly varied behind the scenes that it has become necessary to categorise the Moana band and the unique sound they cultivated over the last decade into its own domain and begin the next chapter.
Enter, Mayatrix & The Psychics, the darker, heavier, arty, ethereal, rock n roll expression of Moana Mayatrix in collaboration with the epic band Willow Fearns, Lochy Hoffmann and Yann Vissac
Fiercely independent, the bands previous recorded output has consistently garnered high critical praise. World Metal Magazine named their debut full length album, 2019’s ‘In The Allure’ their #2 Experimental/Psych Album Of The Year, while X-Press Magazine featured ‘A Mouthful Of Birds’ among 2014’s Best Albums. Additionally, the high artistry of their enthralling music videos have been recognised internationally, taking out Best Australian Music Video for ‘Immortal’ at the Prague International Music Video Awards 2023.
Most recently, the hugely successful multimedia exhibition ‘The Colour Red’ (presented at PS Arts Space in Fremantle) saw Mayatrix & The Psychics strip back their sound to great effect and ecstatic response from fans and critics alike, while their ‘Kingdom’/’Temple‘ video was shortlisted for Best Experimental Music Video at the International Sound Video Awards in Prague.
**********
Mayatrix & The Psychics transgress the boundaries of form and genre, incorporating experimental art, theatre, spoken word performance, poetry, costuming, and more in a cross- media syncresis that engages all the senses physical and beyond, in a kind of ecstatic reverie. A singular approach to music and art has gathered to them a fiercely loyal tribe of fans.
While the reviews and press accolades are one thing, seeing this hypnotic live act in the flesh is an experience not to be missed.
They are holding a launch party for Mortal & Divine on
Friday, October 27
Badlands Bar, Perth
Tickets available from here
Follow Mayatrix & The Psychics
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Tik Tok | Spotify
