Experimental indie-pop band Elf Power, one of the founding bands of the legendary Athens, GA Elephant 6 Collective, are headed back on the road this spring in support of their ninth studio album, “In A Cave,” to be released on Rykodisc on March 25. Their 28-date tour includes several performances at SXSW in Austin, TX. The band has been performing and recording since 1994.
“The writing of the new record was a little more collaborative than usual,” band leader Andrew Rieger explained in a statement. “Eric Harris came to me with some really great instrumental songs, and while on a road trip this past summer I, listened to the tracks, coming up with melodies, and scrawling out lyrics as I drove. 12 hours later I had vocal melodies and lyrics for 4 songs, which all ended up on the record. That was definitely a new approach to songwriting for me, as I’m used to writing alone on acoustic guitar.”
The members of Elf Power — Rieger (guitarist/vocalist), Laura Carter (keyboards/ guitar/accordion), Jimmy Hughes (guitar), Derek Almstead (bass), Eric Harris (drums), and Heather McIntosh (cello/keyboards) — also own and operate Orange Twin Records, an independent record label focused squarely on the local community. A percentage of proceeds generated by the label helps fund The Orange Twin Conservation Community, which owns 155 acres of land on the outskirts of Athens and has initiated the development of a highly progressive, self-sustainable and ecologically-minded cluster village and nature preserve.
In keeping with the green theme, Rykodisc will release “In A Cave,” printed on recycled paper stock.
Elf Power tour dates:
March
10 Thirsty Hippo Hattiesburg, MS
12 Bourbon Rocks Austin, TX (SXSW Athens Music Show)
12 Spiro’s Austin, TX (SXSW Orange Twin Night)
13 Maggie Mae’s Austin, TX (SXSW Planetary Presents Skewer BBQ)
13 Flamingo Casino Austin, TX (SXSW Under the Radar/Team Clermont Party)
14 Waterloo In-Store Austin, TX (Open to the public)
15 Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, LA
29 40 Watt Athens, GA (CD Release Party)
April
2 The Map Room Charleston, SC
3 Duke Coffeehouse Duke University, Durham, NC
4 Court Square Theater Harrisonburg, VA
5 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA
6 Great Scott Allston, MA
7 Mercury Lounge New York, NY
8 Union Hall Brooklyn, NY
9 SUNY Oswego Oswego, NY
10 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, OH
11 Subterranean Chicago, IL
12 400 Bar Minneapolis, MN
15 High Dive Seattle, WA
16 Towne Lounge Portland, OR
18 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA
19 Spaceland Los Angeles, CA
21 Casbah San Diego, CA
22 Solar Culture Gallery Tucson, AZ
24 8.0 Fort Worth, TX
25 Mohawk Austin, TX
26 The Mink Houston, TX
(The image accompanying this story is from AthensMusic.com)
