Optical Atlas

Vic Chesnutt & Elf Power have been touring together to support their collaborative album (with The Amorphous Strums), Dark Developments, and now they’ve extended their tour into early 2009 with some dates (including the High Noon Saloon in Madison!). I would not have known of this but for Becky Jollay stopping by my house last night for Music Tapes caroling and dropping the news–thanks, Becky.

Vic Chesnutt & Elf Power

01/21/09 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
01/22/09 Washington DC @ Black Cat Backstage
01/23/09 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
01/24/08 Boston, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
01/25/08 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
01/26/08 State College, PA @ Chronic Town
01/27/08 Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks
01/28/08 Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room at Crofoot
01/29/08 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
01/30/08 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
01/31/08 Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar
02/02/09 Indianapolis, IN @ Locals Only
02/03/09 Nashville, TN @ Exit/IN
02/04/09 Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
02/07/09 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt

Flagpole has put up a nice interview with Julian in which he describes the purpose of the Caroling Tour.  Thanks to Becky for the link.

Julian will be in Madison, WI, tonight, and all indications are that he’s stopping by Optical Atlas HQ.  If you’re interested in coming by, contact me (or PM me through the Townhall–I post as El Topo).  I’ll be out most of the daytime celebrating Thanksgiving, but returning to check for messages in late afternoon.  To give you an idea of travel time, I’m on the southwest side of town, suburbia, within Madison city limits.

Thanks to You Ain’t No Picasso for bringing to my attention this recent, fantastic Elf Power set from LaundroMatinee.

 

R.E.M. recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their seminal album Murmur with the release of a two-disc deluxe edition CD, but the main event will be coming up next year, with an R.E.M. tribute performance at Carnegie Hall on March 11th featuring a multitude of great artists covering R.E.M., including (of interest to our readers) The Apples in Stereo and Vic Chesnutt & Elf Power.  Other guests include Calexico, Kimya Dawson, Ingrid Michaelson, Glen Hansard of Swell Season and The Frames, Patti Smith, Jolie Holland, even Tommy James and the Shondells (!)…and more.  Tickets are available now.  Thanks to Cable & Tweed for the head’s up!

The last two episodes of WGSU’s The Elephant 6 Show have now been added to our E6 Radio archive.  Enjoy!

 Wow, The Ladybug Transistor (in particular, Gary Olson and Julia Rydholm) were interviewed for a recent episode of ABC News’ The Mix webcast.  They reference David Cross’ Ladybug Transistor stand-up riff too.  Although the funniest moment comes from Gary himself:

“What do you think about when things get dark?”
“Dinner.”

You can stream it here (click on “Watch: The Ladybug Transistor”). Thanks to Becky for the link.

Elf Power has been touring with Vic Chesnutt in support of their collaborative album, Dark Developments, and The Flat Response has posted both artists’ sets from their recent appearance at the Hi-Dive in Denver (11/19/08) in FLAC and MP3.  Download Elf Power’s here, and Vic Chesnutt (with Elf Power backing) here.  If you haven’t had a chance to hear Dark Developments, I highly recommend it: you can order it from Orange Twin.

Paste Magazine has a brief piece about Julian Koster’s stopping by their studios during his (current and ongoing) holiday caroling tour.  Expect video to manifest shortly to accompany the article.

They’ve also posted an interview with of Montreal artist extraordinaire David Barnes.