No group exhibits cheeriness quite like the Athens, Georgia collective Elephant Six (the groups of friends ultimately responsible for founding Neutral Milk Hotel, Apples in Stereo, Of Montreal, Beulah and Elf Power, to name a few) whose group of troubadours roll through Chicago on their awesome-sounding “Holiday Surprise Tour.” What holiday are they referring to? That’s the surprise, apparently. So far, reports say The Olivia Tremor Control, Circulatory System, Scott Spillane, The Music Tapes and Elf Power are among those making appearances, in addition to a screening of the collective’s bizarre new film, “Major Organ and the Adding Machine.” But the big development revolves around Neutral Milk Hotel’s genius recluse Jeff Mangum (pictured), who makes about as many appearances as a solar eclipse. Rumor was he’d be making an appearance with his old buddies on this tour, a rumor which proved true in New York when he came on stage to sing two Olivia Tremor Control songs and an Elf Power tune, and one can only hope for the same cameo in Chicago. (Andy Seifert)
October 21 at Bottom Lounge, 1375 West Lake, (312)929-2022
A Joyful Noise: Mars Williams’ Jazz Holiday Tradition Williams and his band present a mash-up of holiday melodies with avant-garde jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler’s squonky works, finding both commonality and tonality.
RECOMMENDED
