Hedersleben

In 2011 the proggy space rock explorations of Bay Area outfit Hedersleben originated during a cosmic jam session in the small German village that shares the band’s name, with U.K. Subs founding member Nicky Garratt and Embryo bassist Uve Müllrich taking part. Although Garratt remained occupied with other work that included sessions alongside Krautrock legends Brainticket and Hawkwind’s Nik Turner, the creative impulse from that village encounter persisted, leading him to gather a rotating group of musicians capable of realizing the progressive spectral textures he had begun to develop. Under Garratt’s direction the collective issued its debut album Upgoer in 2013, with former U.K. Subs drummer Jason Willer, bassist Bryce Shelton, vocalist/keyboardist Kephera Moon, and Garratt on guitar all contributing. Less than a year later the band returned with its second album Die Neuen Welten, Moon remaining on keys while vocal duties shifted to Kati Knox. Across subsequent releases and tours the membership of Hedersleben continued to shift as different players entered and exited as needed. The sci-fi-themed The Fall of Chronopolis arrived in 2015 with a reconfigured lineup that included vocalist Ariana Jade, and the same approach appeared on 2017’s Orbit, whose lead vocals were supplied by Alicia Previn, daughter of classical conductor Andre Previn. After Orbit the ensemble pared down to a quartet and began preparing a fifth album.