Song writing can be a precarious experience for artists. Some artists do their best work on a tour bus, others do their best work through collaborations, and for some, the process is a decades-long mission. As the leader of psych-folk outfit Dios, Joel Morales escaped the busy Los Angeles music scene and in a Howard Hughes-esque creative move, committing the better part of three years to the realization and expansion of  his schizophrenic arrangements. Morales spearheaded Dios’ departure from their professional recording sessions with producer-extraordinaire Phil Ek, and their return to a “fusion of budget gear, DIY-fi and spiritual melodic devotion that had defined their previous efforts.”

With an increase in artistic control and the ability to record in their home studio, Dios’ third release, We are Dios, offer listeners a  greater degree of experimentation and genre-bending song-writing than their two previous releases. The four-piece, consisting of Morales (singer/songwriter), Edwin Kampwirth (keyboards/sounds), John Paul Caballero (bass guitar), and Patrick Butterworth (drummer), creates melodies that unravel into a dark, mystical journey. The album is available for purchase as a digital download here, or you can wait until April 20th, when the album will be released through Buddyhead Records. In the meantime, Dios is streaming its newest release via their website.

To help promote We are Dios, the foursome will be making multiple appearances Austin, TX’s South by Southwest; details follow.

Dios 2010 Tour Dates:
03/18 – Austin, TX @ Annie’s (Buddyhead/Buzzgrinder Party)
03/18 – Austin, TX @ Red Eye Fly (Little Radio Party)
03/19 – Austin, TX @ Lustre Pearl (Filter Magazine/Dickies Party)
03/20 – Austin, TX @ Long Branch Inn (Vestal Party)
03/20 – Austin, TX @ Galaxy Room (Official SXSW showcase)