Over the last couple of years, perhaps the only E6 parlor game more popular than “when will that second Circulatory System album come out?” (followed rapidly by “when will that Circulatory System bonus LP come out?”) is “when will the Major Organ and the Adding Machine DVD/Expanded CD come out?”  But, honestly, the great thing about Elephant 6 is that they usually make it worth the long wait (and those gaps are filled with so many of Montreal and Robert Schneider-related releases that the wait doesn’t really matter all that much).  Anyway, at long last the Major Organ and the Adding Machine re-release has been announced, but first a history: the 2001 album was one of the flagship releases of the Athens-based Orange Twin Records label, draped in the E6 logo and featuring an all-star cast from the E6-East universe, though none of them were named on the album.  (Nonetheless, it was pretty easy to recognize that prominent members of Neutral Milk Hotel, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Music Tapes, of Montreal, and Elf Power were contributing.)  The CD drifted out of print, though the LP remained generally available.  Although initial reviews of the concept album – a harrowing mix of avant-garde sound collages and psych-rock – were mixed, with some being very harsh, over the past nine years it has deservedly developed wider admiration and the requisite cult following.  For the 2008 Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise tour, Eric Harris  (OTC, Elf Power)  would begin each evening’s program with a screening of the Major Organ and the Adding Machine short film, which he co-directed with Joey Foreman: a years-in-the-works cross between music video and experimental children’s fantasy, telling the story of Madam Truffle, a bunch of people with beards, a giant lobster, and, um, other things that happen.  (It’s all great fun.)  A DVD was announced and then postponed, and postponed, and postponed again.

Now Pitchfork has announced the real deal: on September 14, Orange Twin Records will release the deluxe Major Organ and the Adding Machine reissue, which will feature the complete album plus seven bonus tracks, bundled with a DVD of the film and bonus features such as music videos, live footage, and other E6-related projects, perhaps some of which were featured in the Eric Harris-curated E6 film program which screened last year in Athens.

Conclusion: Viva Francisco! (Thanks to Kathy with a K for the head’s-up.)

As a last-minute reminder, the AUX Festival is being held this weekend in Athens.  Events include:

Tonight – October 9th: The Orange Twin Fall Festival at the Orange Twin Conservation Community
8:00 pm – Scott E. Spillane EXP
8:45 pm – Nana Grizol
9:30 pm – Elf Power
10:15 pm – Vic Chesnutt and Elf Power
11:00 pm Neil Hamburger

Saturday – October 10th: Krautrock legends Faust and Circulatory System perform at the 40 Watt

Sunday – October 11th: Faust master class workshop at the Cine Lab

Friday, October 9th, head out to the Orange Twin Conservation Community in Athens, Georgia, for an all-day Fall Festival including performances by Neil Hamburger, Elf Power, Vic Chesnutt, Nana Grizol, and the Scott E. Spillane Explosion.  Camping is available at Orange Twin for the entire weekend (which will also feature the AUX Festival, as we just mentioned).  Tickets are available at Athens’ Wuxtry Records, Schoolkids Records, and 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!