Chicago trio Bitchin Bajas have been building their music around a carefully balanced mix of synthesizers and non-electronic instruments since 2010. A semi-analogue, motorik drone music that neither rushes nor stops – it simply flows. It started as a solo project from Cave guitarist Cooper Crain – whose krautrock background and fondness for hypnotic psychedelia were immediately audible in the new project’s DNA – and soon expanded to include Dan Quinlivan and Rob Frye from the same scene.
Since their debut Tones & Zones, the trio have moved freely along the edges of their own genre: soundtracks, collaborations with Natural Information Society and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, a full album of Sun Ra covers in “Moogsploitation” style – without ever losing their immediately recognizable sound. Their latest album Inland See (2025, Drag City) was recorded live in the room at Electrical Audio, without a drop of added reverb. Everything captured live in the room. On the album’s release, The Wire devoted a full feature to them in their landmark 500th issue.
Live they mix their sound through their own PA, layering textures and drones. Call it drone music, kosmische or hypnotic kraut-minimalism – the category doesn’t really matter. It’s music that slowly pulls you in and keeps you there.
LINEUP
Cooper Crain – organ, synthesizers, guitar
Dan Quinlivan – synthesizers, electronics, organ
Rob Frye – flute, saxophone, synthesizers
