Artist of the Day: Elf Power

Indie band Elf Power is somewhat of a veteran of the Athens music scene.  Its been around since the early 90s creating music to be emulated by bands everywhere and embedding itself in the art and music of Athens.  As part of the legendary Elephant 6 Collective, Elf Power's members have been involved with the likes of Neutral Milk Hotel, the Olivia Tremor Control and Of Montreal -- some of Athen's most highly influential bands.



This Friday (Oct. 9), Elf Power will play the Orange Twin Fall Festival show with Vic Chestnutt, Neil Hamburger, Nana Grizol and Scott E. Spillane EXP.  The show costs $12 and tickets are available on the Orange Twin web site. The E6 Collective and Orange Twin Conservation Community both seek to promote the creation of art and creative expression in the booming Athens art and music community.



And since releasing its first album, 1995's self-released Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs, Elf Power has been adding its own fuzzy indie pop-rock to the Athens mix.  The next year after Limbs saw the addition of bassist Bryan Helium (a.k.a. The Late B.P. Helium of Of Montreal) who left the band in 2002. Elf Power released a steady series of albums and EPs through the late 90s including When the Red King Comes and Come On. 


The band switched labels -- from E6 to Rykodisc/Orange Twin -- and released the more accessible records Back to the Web and In a Cave. Around this time Elf Power toured with big name acts like Wilco and fellow Athenians R.E.M.  Its latest project is a collaboration with Vic Chestnut under the moniker the Amorphous Strums.  Dark Developments was released in 2008.
Who's Who: Andrew Rieger (vocals, guitar), Jimmy Hughes (guitar), Derek Almstead (bass),  Eric Harris (drums), Laura Carter (key, clarinet, accordian), Heather McIntosh (cello, keys),  John Fernandes (violin)

Latest release: Dark Developments (w/ Vic Chestnutt 2008)

Label: Rykodisc/Orange Twin

On the web: http://www.myspace.com/elfpower;  www.elfpower.com/

-Kristen Callihan
currently listening to "Oh What a Beautiful Dream" by Elf Power 

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