Seraphina Lotkhamnga on November 20th, 2014

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For two decades and nine albums, Gruff Rhys had captained the good ship Super Furry Animals, the whimsical Welsh provocateurs, as well as engaged in sonic explorations (pun intended) of his own. His new project, “American Interiors,” began with his discovery that he is a descendent of Welsh explorer John Evans, who in the 1790s journeyed to (and mapped) the Missouri River in search of a mythical tribe of Welsh-speaking Indians. Here, Rhys has created a quadruple media project – an album, film, book and mobile app. Rhys’ lyrical imagery lends itself well in telling Evans’ story, with each song maintaining its own identity and special form of expression. “Lost Tribes” is a groovy psych-pop song with a bit of kitsch, and describing the tribe for which Evans was searching, the accompanying music video portrays Rhys in a Davey Crockett-esque wolf’s-head cap, as he wanders the American Midwest with his felt explorer companion. Much like the territory he explores, “American Interiors” contains beautiful views with ever-changing landscapes. The album came out in the U.S. on Nov. 4, and there’s a screening of the documentary movie tonight.

– Caitlyn Trudnich

||| Stream: “Lost Tribes”

||| Live: Gruff Rhys plays tonight at the Echo with East India Youth following an 8 p.m. screening of the documentary “American Interiors” at the Echo Park Film Center.

||| Also: Watch the video for “Lost Tribes” below: