Optical Atlas

Am I overcompensating for not posting anything on Tuesday?  Perhaps. 

But I had neglected my Google Reader lately, and therefore also neglected You Ain’t No Picasso, which has put up a number of posts about of Montreal, and another post covering Robert Schneider’s appearance at Lexington’s CD Central for Record Store Day (with photos).

Regarding the of Montreal stuff, well, I just posted some videos this morning, but here’s another radio station appearance (for The Alternate Side), one which YANP turned me onto.  And it’s Kevin Barnes covering a Beatles White Album song, so it’s great.

Thanks to illuminated for the videos.

If you’ve picked up Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine, your eye may have been snagged upon the charming artwork of Todd Webb, who has become the visualizer of the Robbert Bobbert universe (at least, until that in-development TV series rolls around): he wrote and illustrated the comic book which accompanies the album, as well as the coloring book and everything else decorating the album.  Todd has a recording project of his own, called Seamonster. On a lark a couple years back he wrote a song called “Robert Schneider’s Abacus,” then sent it along to Optical Atlas.  Floored by what I heard, I forwarded it to Robert–as it happens, on his birthday, though I didn’t know it at the time.  Robert loved the coincidence of the event; and when he sees such synchronicities, he likes to chase after them as though they were the tail of Fate.  So, upon glimpsing Todd’s wondrous comic art, he pursued him for the Robbert Bobbert project, and the results speak for themselves.  But Robert’s also a fan of the music of Seamonster; and when you hear it, it’s obvious to see why: apart from the fact that the songs are magical, they also sound like Elephant 6.  They’re psychedelic and have a lovingly handmade feel, but they also conjur a universe between the headphones–his music, like the best of E6, is a realm you can inhabit.  It should be no surprise that Robert’s welcomed Seamonster into the recently reborn E6 family.

To date Seamonster has released a full-length, The Ascension of Archibald Balloonhead (now available on iTunes), as well as the Melville-inspired White Whale EP; a seven-inch is due out soon from Gold Robot Records. In his spare time he even has another project going, under the name Fox Hands. Royal Rhino Flying Records will be releasing a Fox Hands EP, and the label included “Robert Schneider’s Abacus” in their excellent comp Build Your Army With Potatoes.

Seamonster will be playing at Elon University in Elon, NC, on April 24th, and after an Athens house show on the 26th, they’ll be playing the University of South Carolina on the 27th.

I’ve added a Seamonster track to today’s Optical Atlas Jukebox Update – the first update in over two months! Also in the mix: NEW music by The Apples in Stereo (covering Neutral Milk Hotel), A Hawk and a Hacksaw, The Music Tapes, Nesey Gallons, Casper and the Cookies, Marshmallow Coast, Madeline, and Little Fyodor, plus a sort of new (new to cassette, anyway) High Water Marks track. A feast.

From the Orange Twin website:

Join us in dedicating 100 acres of North Georgia woods as the John Ryan Seawright Forest.
The Orange Twin Conservation Community will dedicate an area of 100-plus acres to late Athens poet John Seawright on Saturday, Apr. 25. The event runs from 2-7 p.m. A walk in the woods will occur at 2 p.m. and the dedication ceremony will happen at 3:30 p.m. The pavillion, which will be the location of the ceremony, is about a 15 minute walk from the parking area, and shuttles will be provided for the handicapped and elderly. You’ll want to bring a water bottle or cup for refreshments, bugspray, a quilt to sit on during the festivities, and a potluck dish if you plan on sticking around for dinner time, which we invite you to, and would lof for you to do! The day will feature music by Art Rosenbaum and poetry by Coleman Barks. Seawright’s brother, Sam, will read some of John’s poetry, too. A potluck dinner and party follow all this. An integral part of, and singularly unique voice within, the Athens music and poetry scene, John Seawright passed away on May 10, 2001 at age 44. His long-running Flagpole serial, Ghost Fry, was a favorite with readers all over the country. Examples of his live poetry readings can be seen in the 1987 film Athens, GA: Inside/Out. Seawright was also a founding member of the Orange Twin Conservation Community, and this dedication is a fitting tribute to him. If you would like more information, please write to Blair Dorminey at bdorminey@visalawcenter.com.

FROM TOWN… Head north on North Avenue. You’ll go over the loop on a bridge and pass Nowhere road on your left, and keep going! By this time, North Ave. has become Danielsville Road. Press on! You’ll pass a new firehouse and then an elementary school that’s being built, and shortly thereafter, there will be a left turn lane. Take it! Take a left on Helican Springs Road! Then the first Steet on the left will be Noketchee Creek Road. Take that left too!! You’ll go about 3 houses down, and see 255 Noketchee Creek Road on your left. There is a big rock and a painted mailbox and a lovely gravel driveway. Someone will be waiting to show you where to park, and you’re there! We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

The most recent two episodes of WGSU’s The Elephant 6 Show have been added to the E6 Radio archive.  It’s my fault (sort of) for not posting them earlier, as DJ Becky’s email got stuck in my spam folder.  As well as a number of other important emails.  (So if you’ve written to me lately and I haven’t gotten back to you, it may just be that it’s gotten stuck by my overzealous spam filter–just resend!)

I’m working on getting the Jukebox updated with some fresh and new Elephant 6 tracks, but in the meantime, here’s some scattered news:

of Montreal has joined this year’s Lollapalooza lineup.  I assume they’ll get a much bigger stage than the last time they played, a few years back.

Nesey Gallons records are still for sale, and you can order them via Paypal at this website. Sadly, no international orders are being accepted, but some arrangements might be made if you contact Grant.

Finally, anyone with an interest in the Music Tapes should check out this Townhall thread by Gotham.

Last month saw the release of a split 7″ featuring Andy from Denver and Higgins.  The AFD track is “Please Don’t Take My Life Away,” also featured on the upcoming album Phreak Phantasy (under Andy’s more familiar alias Marshmallow Coast).  You can pick up the 7″ for $6.00 at the Serious Business Records website.  The pressing is limited to 300.  Thanks to canyr for the tip.

Speaking of Phreak Phantasy, I got my copy this weekend and enjoyed it immensely.  It’s different by far from anything Andy Gonzales has released in the past – and not just because it’s the first album of his to feature the Elephant 6 Recording Company logo.  Think 70’s synth-driven prog with a big kick of disco.  The first 50 to preorder the album get an exclusive painting by Andy, and mine is gorgeous.  Expect a track (maybe “Please Don’t Take My Life Away”) to turn up in the Optical Atlas Jukebox this week.

Last month we reported it was the 20th anniversary of Little Fyodor, Denver’s most unusual rock act, and one of the first musicians to be released on the fledgling label called Elephant 6.  In fact, Fyodor informs Optical Atlas, The Apples performed their first real live show as an opening band for Little Fyodor back in the early 90’s: “Oh, I suppose I didn’t accelerate their career by more than a week, still, it’s true!”

In celebration of his anniversary, Little Fyodor will be releasing a new album, Peace is Boring, and sponsoring a music video contest, the details of which are in the video below.  Which you should watch.  Because it will make your day.  But the gist of it is: download their new song “That Was a Mistake” (available here), make a video, and post it on the Little Fyodor YouTube contest page with the tag words “little fyodor and babushka music video contest.”  What do you win?  Let the video explain.

The band will be performing a sneak preview of Peace is Boring on Denver’s KGNU on Monday, April 27th, at 7pm MST. Tune in at 88.5FM in Boulder, 1390AM in Denver, and at KGNU.org for everywhere else.