Running with the Sun Machine

The Sun Machine at church: (l-r) Nathanael Rendon, Jese Hernandez, Levi Murray, David Cortinas, and Emily Kolb. (Courtesy of the Sun Machine)

What is Nathanael Rendon running from? In a new video for “I Think I’m Losing It,” the Sun Machine singer’s in a panic, making a desperate dash as disembodied hands try to drag him down and a crystal-bearing cloaked figure stalks him.

One obvious answer might be “his sanity.”

His breakdown is our entertainment in the clip, advancing the local psych-pop quintet’s forthcoming Turn On to Evil LP. In the visuals, creative lighting and image layering casts a brilliantly kaleidoscopic effect that, at times, nods to Queen’s iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody” video. Ether Wave projection artist Fez Moreno, who with Rendon and Sun Machine bandmates Levi Murray and Jese Hernandez curates popular new show space the Electric Church, handled the lighting design. Frederico Moreno directed the promotional episode.

Catch the Sun Machine on Thursday at Hotel Vegas, with Australia’s cosmic pop breakouts Babe Rainbow. The Austinites also appear at the decidedly tripped-out Saturnalia Festival, a two-day event spearheaded by Golden Dawn Arkestra and the Electric Church, being staged at the Sahara Lounge and nearby Webberville Road Baptist Church December 2-3. The Chronicle is a media sponsor of Saturnalia. Tickets are available now.