The New York-based psychedelic rock band The Highway came into being nearly a decade ago. Daniel Tortoledo (vocals/bass), Ted MacInnes (drums/bg vocals), connected over shared influences, both earthly and intangible: Philosophy. Perspective. The vastness of outer space. Grassy fields and dense forests. Color. The expansiveness of the United States.The result of their collaboration is a singular sound—one that has the ability to completely take you over.
Within the cacophonous, but highly orchestrated, rock trances is a writing process steeped in tradition. The Highway adheres to the mantra of less is more, and there is order here in the chaos of sound. Starting with simple chords, the band creates a spacious structure in which to elaborate.Adding psychedelic arrangements and soulful lyrics (sung with fervor by Daniel Tortoledo) they infect with potent nostalgia. They elicit a feeling of having discovered something entirely new. Their songs ebb and flow, often building to a riot—a well-crafted wall of sound, punctuated by the tweaked out echoes of dreams and philosophical spoken lyrics.
