Show Preview: Mount Eerie @ Ruta Maya

Tonight, Phil Elverum brings his shape-shifting gang of noisemakers (formerly known as The Microphones, but currently known as Mount Eerie) to Ruta Maya for an evening of...well, we're not sure, exactly.

In 2004 (after releasing two consecutive near-perfect albums of gorgeously fractured pop, The Glow Pt.2 and Mount Eerie), Elverum declared The Microphones officially dead and changed the group's name to Mount Eerie. Ever since, his performances and recorded output have been a tad unpredictable. In the last few years, we've seen him crank out jangly, sloppy sets with a full band in smoky bars, and we've seen him perform stunning solo acoustic sets to rapt sit-down audiences. And to be honest, we have no idea what tonight's performance will be like.

Attending a Mount Eerie show is a gamble, but it's one that has the potential to pay off big time. When Elverum's band is firing on all cylinders, they're one of the best experimental pop acts around. And for you record collectors - Elverum usually has a full inventory of his limited edition vinyl releases, all containing gorgeous hand-drawn artwork and liner notes.

Mount Eerie will be joined by Elverum protégé Adrian Orange and top-notch Austin acoustic acts Karrie Hopper and Real Live Tigers

[Mount Eerie Unofficial Myspace]
[Adrian Orange on Myspace]
[Karrie Hopper on Myspace]
[Real Live Tigers on Myspace]

Mount Eerie (formerly The Microphones) / Adrian Orange & the Child Slave Rebellion / Karrie Hopper / Real Live Tigers
Friday December 8th
Ruta Maya [Map]
8pm, $7

*hood photo: Konrad J.