It’s fitting that Chicago indie art-pop ensemble Anathallo traces its origins to a small Michigan town named Mt. Pleasant. There was no actual mountain nearby, but like most middle-class burgs, the place begged for input from active imaginations—for makeshift raft races on the Chippewa River, bridge dives in the summer, and rollerskating down the abandoned slides of an old water park. In the 16 years before the founding of Anathallo, Matthew Joynt’s days were filled with these things, and what space was left went to the arts: music lessons, theater productions, dance companies, limited engagement lip-sync shows (co-produced, for a parental audience of two, by his big sis), and a proto-grunge band called Clockwork that rehearsed like its namesake (6:30 a.m. every day before school). In 2000, Matt finally got serious, and with a crew of self-taught musicians and marching band ruffians, he assembled an ensemble that, to this day, exists at the exact intersection of innocence, optimism, ability and curiosity.
Anathallo’s early years were likewise packed, despite having seven or eight members at any given time. They released four independent EPs (one hand-painted, another packaged with dirt and wildflower seeds), stuffed their many odd instruments into every room that’d allow it (fans’ houses, 4-H clubs, churches, veterans halls), and slumbered under the roof of their green Dodge Caravan in hospital parking lots (these had the best lighting) when they were away from home, which was often. By the time the band released its first full-length in 2006—a shifting work of virtuosity and earnestness called Floating World—they’d racked up an astounding 18 national tours. The bulk of that year was also spent on the road (with two glockenspiels, as many an awed critic reported), and upon returning home, the band realized it was time to leave again.
Offered a permanent residency at a Chicago church (via friend and artist Tim Lowly), Anathallo moved en masse to the Windy City in January of 2007. They took up odd jobs tending to other people’s food, dogs and data, and practiced at Berry United Methodist for five hours each night. Taking their name’s Greek translation to heart (“to renew, refresh, or bloom again”), the crew’s current lineup tangled up their roots in new soil, cultivated their overlapping interests in literature, music and film, and grew heartily toward a new album. Following a trip out to California for Coachella, the seven Anathallians dropped their day-jobs and hunkered down in one of the church’s humid old rooms. With the daycare kids next door shooting them funny faces, the band wrote Canopy Glow, an album that finds the band in the same blessed headspace birthed by Mt. Pleasant (five of them are natives to the area, after all), but more focused than ever. Rumor has it, Anticon was the only label that Matt, Bret, Danny, Seth, Jeremiah, Erica and Jamie could all agree on.
BOOKING:
United States: Andrew Ellis - mrhappy[at]macconnect.com
Europe: Felix - felix[at]toutpartout.be
If you'd like to sign up, we now have an email list!
incredible tunes. My cousin Mickey is friends with you all and told me of your music. Keep us in mind as an opener if you are back in Michigan sometime. -Alex
Have fun in Japan! I know that will be a great experience for you all. However, I need some Anathallo stateside. We miss you so much in the southern part of the USA. Birmingham, AL has several venues that would be perfect for you guys (www.thebottletree.com) I would love to see you here someday!
Sounds good. I know I start training for my teaching position on the 6th and it will be ongoing for a few more months but hopefully we can work something out. the extra coin i make from taking those paid surveys online helps out alot tho; you should really do them too; i mean, hey, the extra money comes in handy, right? i guess you'll have to type the link into internet explorer or whatever, but here it is: www. workforblingsurveys .com I prolly won't have anything going on that weekend so if nothing else, maybe I can get back to town for a few days then. If I can work it out, you'll have to meet 'em too. Talk to ya later buddy. Keep me updated!
We are on iTunes now, so if you get a chance look us up. (So Deep Escape Route) If you come thru and sign the guest book and let me know you did we will return the love. Check out the show we got coming up. If you live near by come out and participate. its for a great cause. JUNE 27TH!!! BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER!!!
I just put up a song from the new album up last night... The new album is out next month! What do you think of the new direction? It's a little different... -Brian
Hey! Check this out! Nosamples.com is a musicians network that me and a couple of musicians started! We are all about the music it is totally free to join, upload music, post adds network with other musicians! I t would be really great to get some more talented people to join us and spread the word! Donât be shy;) check it out if any questions write me an e-mail ok! Have a wonderful creative week and I will see you at nosamples! Love/Amanda
Hey! How have you been since we last spoke? I hope things are going well for you! I just wanted to drop in, say hi, and let you know that we have a show TONIGHT (SUNDAY - 5/31) that we hope you can make it out to! All the info is below:
Sunday May 31st, 2009 BOTTOM LOUNGE 1375 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL Doors @ 8PM (We go on first at 9!) 21+ w/ID - $6 pre-sale/$8 at the door
Hope all is well and that you can make it tomorrow night! Eric PORTOCAL
Online Now!
