Taraka and Nimai Larson met Michael Collins at a Florida Hare Krishna farm in the Summer of 2007. Naming themselves Prince Rama of Ayodhya, after the hero of the ancient Sanskrit epic poem, they relocated to Boston and began performing. Their live shows quickly earned them a following, and they were soon approached by British label Cosmos Recordings. Their first album, Threshold Dances, was released in the fall of 2008, and they have continued to tour and record extensively since then.

Prince Rama, as they are known now, offer an eclectic style that falls somewhere between psychedelic noise, freak-folk crooning, multi-part prog epics, and Hindo-Buddhist devotional chants (their recordings include variations on the Om Mane Padme Hum and Aum Shiva mantras.) Their influences range from Animal Collective to Kate Bush to Magma, but there is always a sense that The Incredible String Band is lurking somewhere behind the scenes. Threshold Dances largely tethered these sound to the songwriting styles common among neo-psychedelic bands, but Prince Rama’s newer releases have become far more experimental.

2009’s Zetland is notable for its frequent shifts in tempo and style, creating multi-part marathons rivaling those of Van Der Graaf Generator or Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. But while those bands approached songwriting as a vehicle for narrative, Prince Rama instead uses its movements to take its listeners on a psychedelic trip of cosmic proportions. The initial rhythm of “Golden Glow” gives way to a surreal chorus accompanied by howls, and the acoustic section that follows is punctuated by repeated chant of “ro-ko-ko” accompanied by a myriad of hand-claps. The piece culminates in an extended mantra of “Hallelujah”.

Prince Rama’s acid-mysticism also reaches their live shows. They have been known to distribute various noisemakers (rattles, tambourines, conch shells) to the audience, including the spectator in the musical “happening” that is occurring onstage. Some of their performances have been accompanied by traditional Indian dance. Veiled by blue light, their wails and chants suck new listeners into their blissful, crystalline universe.

Prince Rama hasn’t slowed down. They released Architecture of Utopia in May, and Shadow Temple is due this September. Judging by their continued prolificacy and the cult following they have acquired so far, 2010 could be a breakout year for this trio.