Since forming nearly two decades ago, the musical group Animal Collective has managed the remarkable feat of keeping the psychedelic pop of the 1960s fresh and relevant to a new generation of music lovers. Over the course of ten studio albums, the group, originally from Baltimore, MD, has explored both trippy, disorienting soundscapes, and gorgeous pop songwriting, in equal measure.
Last week, we met up with the group’s co-frontman Dave Portner —who performs as Avey Tare —to hear about the role of cannabis in his songwriting. Beyond being great music to listen to high, we discovered that cannabis is truly baked into his songs’ DNA.
Portner is currently on the road behind a new solo album, Cows on Hourglass Pond. Featuring sweet melodies alongside dreamy, spaced-out arrangements, the record highlights everything fans have come to love from his work.
Listen in as Portner walks us through his history with cannabis, including the music that he first heard high, as well his favorite strains, and the specific roles that cannabis plays in his songwriting.
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The Hash, Season 4, Episode 13: Animal Collective’s Avey Tare
Strains Mentioned in This Episode
Avey Tare prefers Tangerine Dream and Blue Dream. “I like to be creative, be energetic.” (Courtesy of Madelyn Anderson)
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Leafly has four podcasts for different skill levels:
- The Hash is NPR’s “All Things Considered” — on cannabis. It’s top-shelf journalism that tracks marijuana’s crossover into the mainstream; weekly on Tuesdays.
- Every Friday, The Roll-Up keeps you abreast of each week’s big cannabis news.
- What Are You Smoking? details cannabis product trends for true aficionados.
- And Canada’s legal rollout gets covered by The High Life.
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Each ten-minute Hash episode is co-hosted and produced by Leafly California editor David Downs, and Max Savage Levenson (Pitchfork, NPR). The reported, scripted podcast’s guests this season include rapper/mogul Berner, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Laganja Estranja, New York State Sen. Diane Savino, and more.
For advertising and editorial, contact david.downs@leafly.com.
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