King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Embrace Orchestras on New LP and Tour

Experience King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s bold orchestral journey with their latest album and upcoming symphony-backed tour.

Introducing a New Chapter with Phantom Island

The Australian musical maestros known as King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have once again pushed boundaries, this time venturing into orchestral territory with their new album Phantom Island. Following their summer release Flight b741, Phantom Island marks a thrilling evolution for the band, featuring elaborate string arrangements and heavy orchestration — a first for the group.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s new album Phantom Island explores orchestral arrangements.

While b741 captured the raw highs and lows of life on the road, Phantom Island sees the band reflecting on the quieter moments: longing for loved ones, battling self-doubt, and reimagining tour life as an alien journey. British conductor Chad Kelly collaborated with the band to bring an orchestral depth to the project after their monumental Hollywood Bowl show in June 2023, a performance that inspired this ambitious new direction.

From Rock to Symphony: The Making of Phantom Island

Stu Mackenzie, speaking from rural Tennessee, shared insights on how the orchestral concept came about. “The idea of doing an album or tour with an orchestra wasn’t something we ever talked about seriously,” he admitted. But after that unforgettable Hollywood Bowl experience, the band embraced the opportunity.

They recorded the 20 songs for both Flight b741 and Phantom Island in October 2023. The orchestral parts were built on solid, pre-existing tracks — a “muscular skeleton” the orchestra could enhance. Yet, the process was fluid; many original band parts were cut to make room for the symphonic arrangements, reflecting a ruthless but rewarding creative journey.

“It was nice that a lot of people cared about it and had opinions about the way it should sound and feel. It wasn’t always easy making hard decisions on it, but I did really want to end up with something that everyone was really proud of.”
– Stu Mackenzie

Mixing the album was a new challenge for Stu, accustomed to crunchier rock sounds. Balancing the intimate orchestra recordings with distorted guitars and drums required delicate craftsmanship and a leap into unfamiliar territory.

Exploring New Musical Landscapes

This album isn’t just a rock record with strings — it’s a genre-bending exploration. The band leaned into the vast range of sounds offered by strings, horns, and woodwinds, inviting listeners into a cinematic and emotional experience. Songs like “Deadstick” and “Lonely Cosmos” were transformed by Chad Kelly’s arrangements into sweeping orchestral journeys that surprise and delight.

Many tracks on Phantom Island feature shifting parts and unexpected turns every few bars, embodying a progressive and dynamic spirit. This constant evolution is part of what drew the band and Kelly to the project.

Live Symphony Shows: A New Adventure

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are taking this orchestral vision on the road, performing Phantom Island in full alongside a symphony orchestra. They’re collaborating with U.S. arranger Sean O’Loughlin to adapt the scores for live shows, which will also include select tracks from their back catalog.

Rehearsals are tight — just one with the Philadelphia symphony before their first show — but the band is embracing the challenge. “It’s gonna be a little bit different doing the same set every night, but it feels really celebratory to perform this album end to end,” Stu shared.

The Creative Process Behind the Songs

Many songs emerged organically from jam sessions, like “Grow Wings and Fly,” which evolved from improvisations on the track “Shanghai.” The band’s spontaneous style is a hallmark of their creativity, always chasing fresh vibes and energy.

Adding orchestral arrangements gave new life to many songs, sometimes changing their album placement entirely based on Chad’s inspiration. This collaborative process resulted in an album that’s both familiar in spirit and excitingly novel in sound.

Looking Ahead: Synths, Festivals, and More

While the band continues to push musical boundaries, they’re also preparing for their first-ever destination festival, Field of Vision, set in Buena Vista, Colorado this August. Stu expressed excitement about curating the lineup and creating a unique community experience.

As for new music, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have been experimenting with electronic and synth-driven sounds. Though they haven’t quite found their stride in this realm yet, they’re committed to the journey. Touring itself has become a creative outlet, with the band feeling inspired by their live performances.

In Conclusion

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s Phantom Island is a daring fusion of rock and orchestral music, marking a fresh chapter in their prolific career. With ambitious live shows on the horizon, fans have much to look forward to. Will this symphonic adventure redefine the band’s sound forever? Time will tell!

FAQs

• How did King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard decide to include an orchestra on their new album?
  After their massive Hollywood Bowl show in 2023, the band was inspired to explore orchestral arrangements, collaborating with Chad Kelly to create Phantom Island.
• Are the orchestral arrangements present on every track of Phantom Island?
  Most tracks feature orchestral elements, with some songs like “Deadstick” and “Lonely Cosmos” showcasing especially prominent symphonic arrangements.
• Will the band perform all of Phantom Island live with an orchestra?
  Yes, they plan to perform the entire Phantom Island album live, backed by a symphony orchestra, alongside select songs from their back catalog.
• What challenges did the band face mixing a rock album with orchestral elements?
  Balancing the delicate orchestra recordings with the band’s typical distorted guitars and drums required careful mixing and a shift from their usual sound.
• Is King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard working on new music beyond this album?
  Yes, they are experimenting with electronic and synth-based music, though they feel it’s a work in progress and are excited to continue exploring new sounds.

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