Upon forming in 2007, The Diamond Center at its core has always been Kyle Harris and Brandi Price. After travels and homesteads in Athens, Georgia and Lubbock, Texas, their creative migratory patterns led them to Richmond, Virginia. The release of My Only Companion as well as multiple cross-country tours has only solidified the group's psychedelic aesthetic and the adoring legions of fans spread across state lines. Imagine a time when Neko Case may have fronted an outfit like the Velvet Underground. In her downtime, she ventures into a local record store. As she departs, she carries with her records by Spacemen 3, Deerhunter, Beach House, Black Angels and Brian Jonestown Massacre. In all of their intrinsic beauty and inspiration, these records contribute to the direction the group would take from that very instant. In a nutshell, this is the charm of a group like the Diamond Center. By realizing their influences and challenging the expectations of what's come before, the group flourishes with flairs of instrumental freak-outs and recordings that breathe the same air as those produced by pioneers of the past like Phil Spector and Joe Meek. Their live shows enable The Diamond Center to develop a sonic atmosphere where their songs can live on forever. With visual components at play, the fervent drive of the group is fully realized. 2011 promises to be an exciting year for the group. Along with the release of several seven-inches, the Diamond Center plans on recording and releasing a proper follow-up to their debut My Only Companion later this year. With appearances slated for the Austin Psych Fest, Harrisonburg, Virginia's annual Macrock and SXSW, there are no signs of them slowing down any time soon. As the lush shoegaze of The Diamond Center tampers with your senses, you will know it's time to pay attention to the continued success of one of Richmond, Virginia's finest groups. -Shannon Cleary shannoncleary.org