Roots & culture reggae artists, by default, have one of the strongest “political” campaigns of musically advocating legalization of the weed. With the accuracy and frequency of a rub a dub missile, the genre has repeatedly produced a highly potent strain of talented musicians, singers and songwriters gifted with the ability to mobilize the masses locally and internationally to join in the march against the oppression of ganga. Operation Free de Herb has been led by many reggae front men. Lincoln “Sugar” Minott is one of the genres long-standing generals.

Silver Synthetic is a self-described straight-up rock and roll band based in New Orleans. Their laissez-faire, effortless sound transcends categorization, blending elements of surf and glam rock, folk, some Laurel Canyon haze with country licks and a no-bullshit attitude. Originally recorded in 2019, the band finally released Silver Synthetic this April after delays caused by the pandemic. Fortunately for us, it arrives just in time to be the soundtrack to our summer of renewal.

Black Mountain cooks up a heady brew of swirly psychedelia, Sabbath stomp, Curtis Mayfield groove, Velvet Underground innovation, and Pink Floyd’s proggier side, yet possesses a signature sound all its own. Scale the mountaintops with stoner rock’s Stephen McBean as he shares what it’s like making music with friends, why BC bud’s reputation is well-deserved and how his worldview reverberates in his song writing.

Writer, arranger and producer Dan Horne is one of the most prolific musicians on today’s hazy, cosmic, indie rock scene. A member of Grateful Dead/Chris Robinson Brotherhood-affiliated Circles Around the Sun, Horne recently released his long-anticipated solo debut—the country-fried, krautrock-inspired The Motorcycle Song EP. Heads Lifestyle’s roving reporter, Nick Mitchell Maiato caught up with him to explore his breakneck work ethic and amateur cannabis cultivation hobby.