The Psychedelic Soul of Mystery Commune: Music, Art, and the Revolution.

When we think of the 1960s and 1970s counterculture, certain images immediately come to mind: the free-love ethos, the protests against the Vietnam War, and, of course, the psychedelic music that captured the era’s sense of rebellion and freedom. In Mystery Commune, these elements are brought to life in both the narrative and the surreal, mystical experiences of the characters. Just as the Commune’s members struggle to redefine society through their activism, they also find guidance and inspiration through music, art, and spiritual exploration—hallmarks of the psychedelic movement that inspired their quest for a cultural revolution. 

One of the key elements of the counter-culture movement was the rise of psychedelic music. Bands like Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, and The Moody Blues became the soundtrack of a generation searching for enlightenment and escape. Songs like Grace Slick’s White Rabbit, with its direct references to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, and the trippy, cosmic explorations of Pink Floyd, embodied the themes of consciousness expansion and the rejection of conventional, consumer-driven society. These influences are felt throughout Mystery Commune, as the characters embark on their mystical journeys, guided by their search for a deeper truth beyond the surface of the world around them.  The psychedelic posters of the time, too, captured this essence, blending intricate art with a sense of freedom and possibility. Artists like Wes Wilson and Stanley Mouse created colorful, mind-bending visuals that spoke to the boundless energy of the counter-culture. In Mystery Commune, the Commune members use their creativity not just for political activism, but to tap into this aesthetic realm of possibility. Their world is not just one of protest; it’s a canvas, an opportunity to create a new visual and cultural reality.