Here’s what I know about Lift to Experience.

They were proudly from Denton, Texas, and believed in the following:
- The Lord above.
- Guns.
- Delay pedals.
- Possibly the use of mind-altering drugs.
- And most importantly, they were convinced that the USA was the heart of Jerusalem, or as they referred to it, JerUSAlem.

Um, ok.

Continue after the jump for more on one of my favorite bands ever…

Lift to Experience's history was short-lived, seemingly not much longer then one of their epic and sprawling songs. The band imploded shortly after the release of their debut—and lone—full-length, the absolutely perfect The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads (2001). A massive double-disc (a bold move for a seemingly unknown band with a pair of members who had only recently left their home state right before the album’s release), Texas-Jerusalem is the ambitious, and painstakingly accurate, evolution of the swirling mass of sound made famous by My Bloody Valentine on Loveless. To me, it’s a far greater, and warmer, gesture than Loveless, as Texas-Jerusalem is a record that is (still to this day) mesmerizing, absolutely bizarre (the whole Jesus hearts Texas thing) and endlessly addictive.

Prior to not knowing much about the band, I crossed paths with frontman Josh T. Pearson in Denton. I stayed in his home, slept beneath a mammoth American flag, and visited the tall, thin, bearded, Pearson at his job, as a woodworking carpenter. He was a real life rock star American Jesus, an imposing figure with a gentle voice, the love of the Lord in his heart, and just like a Texas Jesus should, he wore leather cowboy boots instead of sandals. Here is a recent photo of him in concert, just in case you think my Jesusization of the man is not accurate. To me, Pearson was friendly and intimidating at the same time, and if that dry Denton summer had any standing bodies of water, I half expected him to walk on them.

But where are they now?
Judging from his MySpace page, bassist Josh "Bear" Browning is still in Texas and loves himself some Ron Paul. In an odd twist of fate, drummer Andy Young, now lives in Portland and freelances for the Mercury, among other publications. While it would seem that Young could shed light on the numerous mysterious rumors about the seldom-interviewed band (drugs, overdoses, fights, was someone mailed a boot to signal they were kicked out of the band?), I don’t really want to know. To me, the myth of Lift to Experience is greater than the truth could ever be. In an age of confessional band blogs, MySpace pages spilling ever known secret of each member, and publicity bios getting a little too personal, it’s nice to not know a damn thing about a band.

I just interviewed Jeremy Enigk this past week and was discussing with him how Sunny Day Real Estate was better when no one knew a thing about them. He didn’t really agree (I can’t blame him, it was sort of a rude comment on my end, one that I regret sharing with him), but sometimes the mystery of a band, and not knowing the truth, is the best part. I know that the Lift to Experience that exists in my head is far greater than the real thing every was.

Seeing how Lift to Experience was well-received in the UK, and ignored here in the States, (their label, Bella Union, was based out of London) Person still remains a respected, if not cultish, artist overseas. He contributed to one of my favorite records of last year, Bat for Lashes’ Fur & Gold, and there are rumors of a much-delayed solo record coming sometime soon.

Perhaps he'll have it before Jesus comes back to Texas.

It’s almost nine minutes long, but I’m convinced that this song can convert any listener to the ways of Lift to Experience.

MP3:
Lift To Experience - These Are The Days

“Because we’re simply the best band in the whole damned land, and Texas is the reason.”

Purchase:
Lift To Experience - The Texas Jerusalem Crossroads

All this, and more, at: End Hits