Biography
Bitchin Bajas is a Chicago-based instrumental trio known for hypnotic, psychedelic music blending synthesizers with guitars, flutes, and saxophones, drawing from krautrock, space rock, drone, and ambient genres. Formed in 2010 as a solo side project by guitarist and organist Cooper Crain of the psych/krautrock band Cave, the project began with a focus on textural, less aggressive psychedelia compared to Cave's rhythmic intensity, starting with the full-length Tones & Zones that same year. The group quickly expanded its prolific output through cassettes, EPs, split singles, and albums like 2011's Water Wrackets, 2012's Vibraquatic, and 2013's Bitchitronics, released on Drag City.[1][2][3]
The lineup solidified into a trio with the addition of Dan Quinlivan from Mahjongg, enhancing synth and guitar layers, followed by Rob Frye, also from Cave, on flute, saxophone, and guitar. Their sound evolved into sprawling, kosmische explorations on releases like the 2014 self-titled double album, 2015's Transporteur and Automaginary (with Natural Information Society), and 2016's Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. Further milestones include the 2017 double album Bajas Fresh, 2018's seven-disc compilation Rebajas, 2021's Sun Ra tribute Switched on Ra, 2022's Bajascillators, and an upcoming album announced in 2025.[1][2][6][7]
Bitchin Bajas' legacy lies in their balance of minimalist hypnosis and ambitious experimentation, influencing modern krautrock revival scenes through frequent Drag City releases, film soundtracks like Sailing a Sinking Sea (2016), and live performances that evoke Robert Fripp's guitar work and New Age mysticism. Their catalog reflects a steady evolution from lo-fi origins to polished, immersive kosmische soundscapes.[1][2]
Fun Facts
- Began as Cooper Crain's solo outlet for calmer psychedelia contrasting his aggressive main band Cave, starting with cassette and EP releases before full-lengths.[1][2]
- Their 2018 seven-disc compilation Rebajas collected early out-of-print cassettes alongside major albums, preserving their prolific early phase.[1]
- Chicago producer Cooper Crain has engineered albums for artists like Circuit Des Yeux and Moon Duo outside the band.[6]
- A legendary New Year's Eve 2015 performance at Marfa's First Christian Church became local folklore.[2]
Members
- Cooper Crain
- Rob Frye
- Dan Quinlivan
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Robert Fripp - stylistic influence on scintillating guitar work (general influence on their sound) [ongoing]
- Sun Ra - major compositional inspiration leading to tribute (Switched on Ra (2021), 'Angels and Demons at Play' on Bajas Fresh (2017)) [2017-2021]
Key Collaborators
- Dan Quinlivan - core band member from Mahjongg, adding synth and guitar (all albums from duo era onward including Bitchitronics (2013), Bajascillators (2022)) [2010-present]
- Rob Frye - core band member from Cave, on flute, saxophone, guitar (all trio albums including Bajas Fresh (2017), upcoming 2025 album) [early 2010s-present]
- Bonnie “Prince” Billy (Will Oldham) - vocal collaborator on full album (Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties (2016)) [2016]
- Natural Information Society - fellow Chicago group on joint album (Automaginary (2015)) [2015]
- Olivia Wyatt - filmmaker collaboration on soundtrack (Sailing a Sinking Sea LP/DVD (2016)) [2016]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Switched On Ra | 2021-10-29 | Album |
| Bajascillators | 2022-09-02 | Album |
| Bajas Fresh | 2017-11-17 | Album |
| Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties | 2016 | Album |
| Bitchin Bajas | 2014-08-26 | Album |
| Automaginary | 2015-08-28 | Album |
| Sailing a Sinking Sea | 2016-05-13 | Album |
| Bitchitronics | 2013 | Album |
| Inland See | 2025-09-26 | Album |
| Totality | 2025-04-25 | Album |
| Bajas Fresh | 2017-11-17 | Album |
| Sailing a Sinking Sea | 2016-05-13 | Album |
| Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties | 2016 | Album |
| Automaginary | 2015-08-28 | Album |
| Bitchin Bajas | 2014-08-26 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Outer Spaceways Incorporated (Switched On Ra)
- Clock no Clock (Clock no Clock)
- Skylarking
- Amorpha (Bajascillators)
- Angels and Demons at Play (Bajas Fresh)
- Asian Carp (Bitchin Bajas)
- Moon Dance (Switched On Ra)
- Quakenbrück - version
- Floating With an Intimate Stranger (The Separatist Party)
- Lanquidity (Switched On Ra)
External Links
Tags: #ambient, #avant, #drone
References
Heard on WWOZ
Bitchin Bajas has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2025 | 08:12 | A Call For All Demonsfrom Switched On Ra | The Morning Setw/ Scott Borne |