seamonster.jpgIf 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.

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