Vetiver

Vetiver is a tall, dense, wild grass with long narrow leaves and a strand of underground white, yellow and brown roots. It is sought after for its calming, protective, soothing and uplifting characteristics. It can be found in Java, Haiti, Japan, Indonesia and South India. Vetiver is used for its antiseptic, sedative, stimulant and tonic properties. Vetiver's essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from its roots. Vetiver essential oil's aroma has a smoky woody scent. It is often blended with geranium, jasmine, lavender and rosewood. Vetiver is often used as a folk band from San Francisco. Vetiver is best used in a live setting, but may also be taken as compact disc.

Vetiver sways gently in the wind on a dusty American road as Mark Kozalek makes his way past a run down silo on his beat up Raleigh road king thinking about his cat. He pauses by the long fragile grass and inhales. It reminds him of his papa on a lazy San Fran morning. Farther On, a church groups sings a spanish hymn while the birds try to sing along outside (that link is an mp3). The alto tenor's, whose name just happens to be Nick Drake, favourite singer is Cat Stevens, but he dare not tell the pastor. Dark clouds filled with rain condense over the tiny chapel, casting a nervous energy over everyone, but the Incredible String Band pluck away stubbornly as the thunderstorm approaches.

On Vetiver's self titled debut, Andy Cabic enlists the help of friends Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsome, Colm O'Ciosoig (My Bloody Valentine), and Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star).The result is what Pitchfork calls "a dizzyingly euphoric tangle of freaked-out folk and scratchy strings, all twisted sheets and sweaty brows, upside-down trees and wicked flowers".

Murky hymns and dustbowl depression era banjoes fill the air with a hazy warmth. "The good times shouldn't be this hard to find". Buried under a pile of old dusty antiques, like a bone under a pile of leaves. Brooding cello and sqeaky violin could be from a warped 45 discovered by Alan Lomax.

Vetiver are coming to Vancouver to support their upcoming album, To Find Me Gone. The line-up for the tour will be Andy, Alissa Anderson, Otto Hauser on drums, Sanders Trippe on guitar and vocals, and Brent Dunn on bass. The Media Club will turn into a campfire, Tuesday March 28th. With Michael Hurley and Currituck County.