Indie rock icons Of Montreal are set to return to Mobile’s beloved Alabama Music Box on Saturday, December 1, 2012, with support from French Horn Rebellion. The show marks the band’s second appearance at the intimate Dauphin Street venue this year, following a memorable abbreviated set back in March.
From Athens to the World
Led by frontman Kevin Barnes, Of Montreal emerged from the fertile Athens, Georgia music scene as part of the legendary Elephant 6 Collective. The collective, born in the early 1990s from a group of independent musicians pooling resources to support one another, produced some of the most beloved acts in indie rock history, including Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control, and The Apples in Stereo.
Of Montreal joined as part of the collective’s celebrated second wave alongside Elf Power, Beulah, Dressy Bessy, and The Music Tapes. The interconnected nature of Elephant 6 remains strong, with Of Montreal guitarist Bryan Poole also contributing to Elf Power over the years.
A Band That Defies Categories
Drawing from influences as varied as The Beatles, David Bowie, and vaudeville theater, Of Montreal resists easy genre classification. Critics have applied labels ranging from psychedelic pop and indie rock to twee pop, progressive rock, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, and even R&B. Their live performances are equally eclectic, often featuring elaborate costumes, theatrical skits, masks, inflatables, and enthusiastic audience interaction.
Daughter of Cloud: A Treasure Trove of Rarities
The current tour supports the band’s latest release, Daughter of Cloud, a 17-track B-side compilation issued on Polyvinyl Records in October 2012. The collection gathers rarities dating back to 2007, many originally released as limited-edition 7-inch singles that have since become prized collectibles. The album serves as a companion piece to the band’s most recent studio effort, Paralytic Stalks, which took a notably darker and more dissonant creative direction.
An Intimate Setting for an Indie Legend
The band’s decision to return to the Alabama Music Box is a telling one. Despite having previously packed the larger Soul Kitchen performance space just down the street, Of Montreal has opted for the more intimate independent venue. With the Music Box’s distinctive upstairs balcony overlooking the stage, every spot in the house offers an excellent vantage point for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of boundary-pushing indie rock.