High Castle Teleorkestra

High Castle Teleorkestra is an immersive and eclectic experimental rock ensemble featuring members of Estradasphere, Mr. Bungle, Farmers Market, Umlaut, and Secret Chiefs 3, among others. Spearheaded by Tim Smolens and Chris Bogen, and featuring virtuosic avant-garde luminaries Bär McKinnon, Dave Murray, Timba Harris, and Stian Carstensen, the band began operating remotely in 2020, working across international timelines. Combining the genre-spanning sonic footprints of all of the aforementioned groups, HCL recorded their debut album over a two-year span. The resulting Egg That Never Opened: Radio Free Albemuth, Pt. 1 was released in 2022 after a successful crowd-funding event. ~ James Christopher Monger