Neon Indian is a psychedelic indie dance band from Denton, Texas. The music is composed by Mexican-born Alan Palomo, also known for his work with the band Ghosthustler and as the artist VEGA. The band's debut, Psychic Chasms, has received many favorable reviews, including the designation of Best New Music and 14th best album of 2009 by Pitchfork Media. Rolling Stone Magazine called Neon Indian one of the hottest new bands of 2010.

Beginnings and Psychic Chasms

Palomo had been writing and performing music a few years before the inception of Neon Indian, in his projects Ghosthustler and VEGA. Shortly before the release of Psychic Chasms, Palomo said he planned on releasing another album as VEGA, although this has not yet happened, and it is unclear if it ever will. In an interview, Palomo cites his father as a musical influence, "just because that's how he makes his living— he had a brief stint in the late 70s and early 80s as a Mexican pop star." Palomo also shared that he sampled some of his father's material in Palomo's work as Neon Indian.

The name Neon Indian was conceived by an ex-girlfriend of Palomo's, who was also the subject of their song "Should Have Taken Acid With You." The song was originally presented as a musical apology for a missed acid date. Her positive reaction to the song spurred Palomo to continue writing more songs as Neon Indian.

On October 13, 2009, Palomo released his debut LP Psychic Chasms on Lefse Records. The album was designated Best New Music by music website Pitchfork Media. Pitchfork also listed two tracks from Psychic Chasms in their list of The Top 100 Tracks of 2009. "Should Have Taken Acid With You" was listed as the year's 74th top track and "Deadbeat Summer" came in at number 13. The Hype Machine ranked Psychic Chasms as the 47th best album of 2009. Spin Magazine praised the album for its "dreamy collage of samples and synth tones."

Psychic Chasms was released in the UK on Palomo's Static Tongues label on September 20, 2010. It includes all original tracks from the US version, plus "Sleep Paralysist" and several remixes to original Psychic Chasms songs.

Tour and notable performances

When performing, Palomo is joined on stage by a live band, consisting of Ronald Gierhart (guitar, vocals), Jason Faries (drums), Leanne Macomber (keyboard, vocals) and Lars Larsen (Live Visuals).

On February 11, 2010, Neon Indian had its national television debut on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The band performed a medley of the songs "Terminally Chill" and "Ephemeral Artery".

Neon Indian has played several prominent independent music festivals, including South by Southwest, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Pitchfork Music Festival, Sasquatch! Music Festival, MtyMx All Ages Festival of Art and Music, Monolith Festival, Virgin Mobile Festival and Bestival. Neon Indian has toured with Phoenix, Massive Attack, Chromeo, Real Estate, and Wild Nothing.

Prefuse 73 and Miniature Tigers are set to join Neon Indian on their U.S. tour during fall 2010.

Palomo is currently writing and recording the next Neon Indian record.

Discography

Albums

• 2009: Psychic Chasms (Fader, Static Tongues, Lefse Records)
• 2010: Mnd Ctrl: Psychic Chasms Possessed (Fader)
• 2011: Era Extraña (Static Tongues, Mom + Pop)

Singles

• 2009: "Deadbeat Summer" (2009 Top 20 Underground/Indie Pop Charts)"
• 2010: "6669 (I Don't Know If You Know)" (Indie/Underground radio airplay - January 2010)
• 2010: "Sleep Paralysist" ** (March 2010)

** (This single was written and recorded with Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear for Mountain Dew's Green Label Sound Series)