Exdirectory

In the artist's words:

Exdirectory is a young, five-piece rock band from Cologne. Formed in 2017, they have established themselves as an integral part of the underground scene in Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia over the past few years. Musically, they navigate somewhere within the triangle of psychedelic rock, stoner rock, and progressive rock, without ever wanting to fully commit to any one genre. They’re always on the lookout for new sonic landscapes—ones that range from the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s to modern neo-psychedelia. Listeners can often expect a dense, interwoven sound featuring rich, distorted guitars, organ, and synthesizer, along with playful solos, but also quiet and atmospheric songs reminiscent of krautrock or dream pop. There’s always that little musical twist—the unexpected element—that never fails to captivate. Jamming and improvisation also play an important role for Exdirectory, and so the songs are constantly reinterpreted and expanded upon stage. Exclusively improvised songs are also regularly integrated into Exdirectory’s live performances. Even though their music is constantly evolving and draws from diverse sources of inspiration, comparisons can be drawn to major acts in the genre such as Motorpsycho, Black Mountain, Causa Sui, Coogans Bluff, and Colour Haze.

Exdirectory’s discography currently includes three EPs and one LP, the 2024 release “Forgotten Dreams, Forgotten Tales,” with which the band ventured far into progressive territory, refined its own sound, and created a musical arc that ranges from minimalist, mystical-sounding passages to explosive psychedelic and fuzz-drenched outbursts. 

With the release of their latest EP, “Vitamine,” Exdirectory is now refocusing on the driving, playful, and hypnotic sounds of psychedelic rock, capturing their qualities as a jam band on an album for the first time. The three jams, with a total running time of just under 18 minutes, come from a live session and showcase a raw and hypnotic style of psychedelic rock, featuring playful solos, atmospheric soundscapes, and spontaneous outbursts —a sound that until now could only be experienced at the band’s concerts. 

Exdirectory regularly performs live alongside other artists from the psych and stoner scene, at festivals, and as the opening act for international acts such as Mr. Bison and Komatsu. In addition, the band has completed two successful tours: one in Germany in 2023 and another in Costa Rica in 2024.