ELF POWER have released nine albums, two EPs and a handful of singles since their formation in 1994. They have toured across America, Europe, and Japan.
In anticipation of their 10th studio album ELF POWER, the band’s newest eponymous release, the band has announced dates for a national tour, beginning on along the Eastern US seaboard this September, and conclude with a show at Terminal 5 in NYC to support of Broken Bells (Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins).
The new record explores darker places melodically and texturally in what might be their most fully conceived and rewarding album ever.
In Memory of Vic Chesnutt
ELF POWER the album, is dedicated to the memory of dear friend, mentor, and close collaborator Vic Chesnutt, much beloved in the close-knit Athens community, who committed suicide in late 2009. The Elves recorded a collaborative album, DARK DEVELOPMENTS, with Chesnutt in 2008 and toured extensively with him through the years. The songs and recordings on the album found shape in the vacuum caused by Vic’s loss, and finds the band exploring the void created by his departure.
Tracked initially by Andy LeMaster (REM, Bright Eyes, Drive By Truckers) at his studio Chase Park Transduction, then brought to bassist/engineer Derek Almstead’s home studio out in the Athenian sticks for overdubbing, rumination, and general tweaking, this double-faceted strategy proved beneficial for the development of the album as a whole.
ELF POWER
A return, however, to the familiar realms of home-recording encouraged the Elves to harken back to their initial experimental and communal forays. Freedom from the tyranny of the ticking studio clock allowed for key contributions from old Elephant 6 pals Will Cullen Hart and Bill Doss of the Olivia Tremor Control and some characteristically esoteric instrumentation: Circulatory System’s John Fernandes’ and Heather McIntosh (recently of Gnarls Barkley and Lil Wayne’s touring bands), contributing string arrangements; the beautiful Mellotron they borrowed from REM; and Laura Carter’s contagious Moog and drummer Eric Harris’ experiments with fidelity and texture. This duality in production makes for a layered and varied listen.
Elf Power’s Upcoming Fall 2010 Tour Dates:
09/14 – Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor
09/15 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Nightlight
09/16 – Washington, DC @ DC9
09/17 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Rock Shop
09/18 – Northampton, Mass. @ Flywheel
09/19 – Rosendale, NY @ Market Market
09/22 – Richmond, Va. @ Strange Matter
09/23 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Magic Garden
09/24 – Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Brillobox
09/25 – Cincinnati, Ohio @ Midpoint Music Festival, Blue Wisp
09/26 – Bloomington, Ind. @ The Bishop
09/27 – Madison, Wisc. @ High Noon Saloon
09/28 – Chicago, Ill. @ Schubas
09/29 St Louis, Mo. @ Off Broadway
09/30 Lexington, Ky. @ Al’s Bar
10/01 Nashville, Tenn. @ The End
10/02 Athens, Ga. @ 40 Watt
10/11 New York, NY @ Terminal 5 (w/ Broken Bells)
The new ELF POWER sees release on September 14, 2010 on Orange Twin Records.
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