Netflix is set to captivate fans of psychedelic and folk music alike with an upcoming documentary series titled Echoes of the Mystic: The Incredible String Band Story. Scheduled for global release later this year, the series promises to shine a long-overdue spotlight on one of the most influential and unconventional groups of the 1960s counterculture: The Incredible String Band.
Formed in Edinburgh in 1965 by Robin Williamson and Mike Heron—and later joined by Licorice McKechnie and Rose Simpson—the band redefined folk music by infusing it with Eastern instruments, surreal poetry, and psychedelic experimentation. Their breakthrough album, The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter (1968), earned them a Grammy nomination and a devoted following. Musicians like Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant were among their admirers.
Echoes of the Mystic promises a deep dive into the band’s history, exploring their roots in traditional Celtic folk, their experimental rise during the psychedelic movement, and their complex interpersonal dynamics. Viewers can expect rare archival footage, restored concert performances, and candid new interviews with surviving members, collaborators, and modern artists influenced by the band’s legacy.
The series will explore the band’s eclectic creative process, their communal lifestyle in the Welsh countryside, and their exploration of mysticism and spirituality—including a controversial phase influenced by Scientology. These elements, while often overshadowed by their music, played a vital role in shaping the group’s identity and eventual dissolution in the mid-1970s.
More than just a musical biography, Echoes of the Mystic aims to tell a story of artistic bravery and spiritual searching. The Incredible String Band defied mainstream conventions, crafting albums that felt more like otherworldly journeys than pop records. Their work laid the groundwork for the genre-bending approaches seen in artists that followed, from world music pioneers to neo-folk visionaries.
The Netflix series follows the streaming platform’s recent success with similar deep-dive music documentaries, further cementing its role as a curator of musical heritage. For longtime fans, it’s a long-awaited tribute to a band that shaped an era. For new listeners, it’s an invitation to discover a group whose influence can still be heard in modern music.
Whether you’re revisiting the band’s mystical catalog or encountering their sound for the first time, Echoes of the Mystic is poised to offer a moving and visually rich experience. Expect it to rekindle appreciation for a band that, while once overlooked, is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
Leave a Reply