ROSE CITY BAND, GARDEN PARTY

Ripley Johnson is a guitarist and musician that I has been making his own blend of psychedelic and experimental rock with his band Wooden Shjips and musical project Moon Duo for many years. While I have been a big fan of Johnson's, I will confess that some of his music has been a bit too experimental for my taste. So I was very excited in 2020 when he stepped out with his third and most approachable band/project Rose City Band. In the studio, Rose City has been more or less a solo project for Johnson. It's one that has him leaning heavily into a fantastic blend of country and psychedelic rock. On his latest album, Garden Party, Johnson pays a bit of homage to the Grateful Dead and prepares us for summer with a set of songs that will keep you movin' and groovin' and put a big smile on your face.