Ride The Waves Of Das Kope’s Indie Psychedelic Sound

Photography by G.P.

Das Kope is the Los Angeles-based project of George Pimentel that combines hypnotizing visuals and music in seamless projects. Since 2018, Pimentel’s discography has a distinctly alternative psychedelic sound that calls to the grooviness of Tame Impala with a twisted shoegaze serenity that bleeds deep into your subconscious. Pimentel’s passion for music started early as he discovered the tip of the post-punk iceberg.

“I was very young when I first listened to ‘Close To Me’ by The Cure. I was too young to understand it, but I loved it. That post-punk spirit definitely attracted me to the idea of making music. These days I listen to all kinds of music, but that rebellious/creative spirit is still a driving force in my life. “

Pimentel’s ability to channel this spirit is quite multifaceted. Existential lyrics ebb and flow through the almost carefree soundscapes that shift and build- always taking their time to evolve. Both his visual art and sonic work call to the beauty and grandeur of nature with a little distortion to remind listeners to question their reality and of the power behind the scenes.

When searching for a unique name to associate with his unique sound Pimentel looked back to one of the most classically psychedelic items to aid in his search.

“I wrote the word ‘kaleidoscope’ on a piece of paper, then looked at it with a kaleidoscope,” said Pimentel. From this visual experiment Pimentel became Das Kope. This mind-bending energy holds strong through everything associated with the Das Kope project and keeps a widespread fan base begging for more. Lucky for fans Pimentel has no plans to stop making art despite his year long hiatus.

“Creative types need to be creative, and that’s the case for me,” said Pimentel. “My goal is to be able to have a life where I can do that comfortably. Fame sounds tiring and kind of cheesy. But you need recognition to have some financial stability.“

With these realities pressing in on his creative passions, Pimentel is now quite experienced with transporting his inner worlds out into music and imagery.

“I like to have my tools ready. Every time I grab a guitar, I write something,” explained Pimentel. “What I learned is that I have to write a lot of ideas to get to the good ones. I play, record and produce it all myself. I’m also a visual artist, and that is part of my creative process too. I make all my cover art, music videos and merch designs. “

Thanks to Pimentel’s dedication and plethora of ideas, the Das Kope project is an oozing oasis for fans to escape within. Melodies buzz by with distortion like distant shooting stars or lay heavy over your ears like the hot California sun. Whether you’re cruising down a steamy boardwalk on your longboard or zipping down the highway to the beach, Pimentel’s sound will make all things familiar feel new.

Pimentel’s independent work is quite impressive within the bustling and often challenging music industry. As a young artist, Pimentel focused on himself rather than the expectations that so many put on aspiring musicians and was able to find a sound and style very specific to his creative energy.

“Listen to as many records as you can. If you are younger, there’s a chance you’ll be familiar with current artists, so get familiar with older ones too. Learn to play guitar. Learn how to record yourself. Embrace the crudeness of your first recordings. Embrace your shortcomings. Try as many tools as you can, but do not buy expensive gear. Try to create something on your own. Get informed about the many traps of the music industry,” said Pimentel.

This undeniable truth within art, that you must embrace your own work, is essential to almost any artist’s journey. The odds that every single art piece you make will be perfect are slim, and in the long run, people’s perfection gets boring pretty quickly. The unique aspects or imperfections of each artist are often what fans are drawn to or see themselves in. Pimentel’s work is an inspiration for any experimental artists out there and an opportunity to soak up the hours of creativity he pours into each project.

“The main message I’m trying to spread is the music. But by creating in the DIY way I do, I think there’s a secondary message that’s also there: The creative process can be tackled in many different ways.“

Pimentel just dropped his latest single, “Melting Away,” on May 7, continuing his string of new music in 2025. Check out the world of Das Kope on YouTube and Instagram to join the new wave psychedelia and hopefully convince Pimentel to come perform in Denver!