The Harmony of Cannabis & Music with Acid Tongue
A three-part blog series written by Isabella DeChard for EOS Farms & Fat Nugs Magazine
When Guy Keltner walks off the stage with his bandmates after a gig, he knows it’s time for the post-show ritual…a nicely rolled spliff sparked up and handed off by his tour manager.
That’s just one of the many perks of the job when you’re an established underground psychedelic rock band like Acid Tongue. But for these four Seattle-based musicians, cannabis means more than just the post-show smoke sesh with the band, it’s an influential rite that signifies a much larger culture.
It’s no secret that cannabis and music have always gone hand in hand. Way before states were legalizing and cultivation experts got audacious with high THC percentages, cannabis was commonly known to be rolled up with some tobacco (or solo) and subtly passed around at concerts while head-banging to the drummer’s beat.
Aside from the decades of electrifying underground rock and roll culture, cannabis is even more influential behind the scenes. As the lead singer and producer to multiple albums for Acid Tongue, Guy’s relationship with cannabis fell together like any other musician’s – cannabis greatly influences his songwriting and creative process, keeps him focused and calm during everyday tasks, and is part of the reward after an adrenaline-fueled show.
“Cannabis lifts the weight off my shoulders and allows me to tackle so much each day,” he comments, explaining how different forms of cannabis work to enrich his day to day. “A lot of times when I'm touring, I'm either not smoking at all, or it’s hard to travel with. A little puff here and there chills me out before meetings, long projects, and even songwriting. But when I am home, I’m definitely a constant smoker. I prefer flower and my bong, and there are days I just need to embrace the indica strains and become a total couch potato.”
In all, Guy has proudly found a harmonious balance between his cannabis consumption and his dedication to his work – a melodic harmony that is hard for most consumers to master. Like many of the iconic rock and roll stoners we know from music history, the influence cannabis has on Guy Keltner and Acid Tongue reaches a larger, more passionate audience. Besides, when it comes to seeing an Acid Tongue show live or listening to their latest album, it’s hard to not enjoy it over a tasty joint.
This impact of cannabis and music continues to grow larger than a smoke cloud at a Grateful Dead cover concert – it’s becoming a pivotal element of concerts, music festivals, and the industry as a whole. As a multi-faceted musician, Guy has seen a flow of cannabis culture grow right before his eyes.
He is the founder and co-business partner of Seattle’s Freakout Music Festival, a non-profit music collective promoting live music with a focus on artist needs over profit. Between managing multiple music festivals and concerts by Freakout and performing shows with Acid Tongue, people lighting up weed at music shows is far from taboo.
With close to 10 years of Freakout Festival under his belt, Guy and his business partner Skylar Locatelli are seasoned experts in the Seattle music scene, recognizing cannabis as the latest staple for concertgoers. Especially at Freakout Festival, there is a strong cannabis and psychedelic vibe embraced throughout the event. “You can smell weed up and down the streets of downtown Seattle as you wander from venue to venue catching some incredible bands.”
It’s no surprise to see more hands passing around joints than clinking beer bottles at these curated music events. Of course, for Guy Keltner and the Acid Tongue band, this emerging cannabis culture complements their group almost perfectly.
If their band name wasn’t enough of a hint, there is a strong absence of alcohol in their music – one that’s replaced with vibrant psychedelia. When compared to alcohol, Guy knows one thing, “Weed is just such a different trip. It allows me the time to think, it gives me some real clarity at times. And other times it helps me shake off the stress of a tough day.”
It’s in the band’s ethos to embrace the power of the plant and embody this cannabis lifestyle in their lyrics and tune.
However, he’s not the only one with this mindset. What we used to call “Cali-Sober” is now a worldwide accepted phenomenon, for a variety of reasons. Musicians and fans alike are swapping out the average cocktail for a wide variety of cannabis-infused products – although nothing beats a fat joint at the end of the long day, says Guy.
Soon, the band is partnering up with sungrown cannabis brand EOS Farms to accelerate this normalization and de-stigmatization of cannabis – rolling out an exclusive strain dedicated to Acid Tongue.
This collaboration will not only honor the relationship Guy Keltner and Acid Tongue share with the plant but embrace the long-winded roots of music and cannabis culture. Guy and the band look forward to smoking their very own strain at their upcoming record release party.
