The archival label Light in the Attic has announced that they are readying May The Circle Remain Unbroken: A Tribute To Roky Erickson, available as an exclusive Record Store Day vinyl release on July 17th. A pioneer of psychedelic music and founding member of The 13th Floor Elevators in the ’60s, Erickson and the band’s open celebration of LSD quickly incurred local Texas authorities’ ire. Arrested in 1969 for possession of one joint and facing ten-year imprisonment, he would go on to plead not guilty by reason of insanity to avoid jail. This led to an extended stay in several Texas prisons for the criminally insane, where he was subjected to electroshock and Thorazine treatments.
Erickson’s is a harrowing story. Though he would continue to suffer from mental health issues following his release in 1974, the musician remained a prolific songwriter and maintained a distinctive solo career on the edges of underground rock. On ’80s releases like Clear Night For Love, Don’t Slander Me, and Gremlins Have Pictures, he bravely wrestles a host of demons while turning these travails into feverish poetry and Blues-blasted rock. Erickson’s longstanding musical output on the margins would go on to earn him a position as one of America’s preeminent outsider artists before his passing in 2019.
Light in the Attic’s May the Circle Remain Unbroken is the first tribute album since Roky Erickson’s death, though in 1990, Sire Records released the tribute album Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye. This newest offering features a host of intriguing musicians, including Lucinda Williams, Billy F Gibbons, The Black Angels, Margo Price, Mosshart Sexton (Alison Mosshart & Charlie Sexton), Neko Case, Mark Lanegan & Lynn Castle, Jeff Tweedy, Gary Clark Jr & Eve Monsees, Ty Segal, Chelsea Wolfe, and Brogan Bentley. Pressed on RSD color wax (clear with purple hi-melt) for this coming Record Store Day, the album will include a 16-page booklet featuring rare photos, liner notes, and a bonus RSD-only flexi disc featuring an unreleased track entitled “Love Hieroglyphics,“ performed by Erickson circa the early ’70s.
Tracklist: Side One 1. Billy F Gibbons - (I've Got) Levitation 2. Mosshart Sexton - Starry Eyes 3. Jeff Tweedy - For You (I'd Do Anything) 4. Lynn Castle & Mark Lanegan - Clear Night For Love 5. The Black Angels - Don't Fall Down 6. Neko Case - Be And Bring Me Home Side Two 1. Margo Price - Red Temple Prayer (Two-Headed Dog) 2. Gary Clark Jr. & Eve Monsees - Roller Coaster 3. Ty Segall - Night Of The Vampire 4. Lucinda Williams - You're Gonna Miss Me 5. Chelsea Wolfe - If You Have Ghosts 6. Brogan Bentley - May The Circle Remain Unbroken Bonus RSD-only flexi disc: 1. Roky Erickson - Love Hieroglyphics
