Pitchfork

Chicago's Califone jam-packed and sold-out hometown trendsetter-center the Empty Bottle this past Saturday, treating the devout (and a few head-shakers) to ruminations in realms folky, bluesy, and country-esque-- most adorned in unique percussion courtesy of Jerry Garcia look-alike Ben Massarella and experimental flourishes from pedal-pushing frontman (and potential Woody Allen stand-in) Tim Rutili.

Austin's Peter and the Wolf (of sailboat tour fame) opened, featuring songwriter Red Hunter on guitar and a stage packed with nine junkyard percussionists-- including Califone drummer Joe Adamik and assorted Chicagoans-- hitting everything from pots and pans to jack-o-lanterns, garbage can lids, and a skeleton puppet. Recent Thrill Jockey signee Angela Desveaux and band followed up Hunter's ramshackle folkery with a fine set of polished alt-country tunes, lyrically sound and easy on the ears.

Califone took to the stage at last around midnight, playing a wide range of songs spanning their large catalogue and including Infinite Mixtape selection and Psychic TV cover "The Orchids", from this year's Best New Music'd Roots & Crowns.

While a good third of the attending trickled out over of the course of the nearly two-hour set, those with the patience to remain greeted Tim Rutili's every murmur with rapturous applause. Apart from a few pleasantries, Rutili kept mum through most of it-- until some drunkard used tuning-time to shout something about a jam, prompting Rutili's austere countenance to crack momentarily for a sarcastic utterance: "Fuckin' Bob Marley, man!" Riotous laughs all around.

Although the Saturday night crowd proved a bit too chatty to allow Califone to fully cast their spell, those who came for the music likely went home haunted by it-- and completely satisfied.

Califone hop the pond for a week, then return to North America for an extensive tour next month. Dates and more photos ahead.

PETER AND THE WOLF


ANGELA DESVEAUX


CALIFONE










Califone on the road:

10-24 London, England - Hoxton Bar and Kitchen
10-25 London, England - What's Cookin'
10-26 London, England - The Windmill
10-29 Chicago, IL - The Hideout *
11-02 New York, NY - Tonic (CMJ)
11-03 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Tavern
11-04 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place #^
11-05 Toronto, Ontario - Horseshoe Tavern %
11-06 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa %
11-08 Boston, MA - Museum of Fine Arts $
11-09 New York, NY - Joe's Pub ~
11-10 Brooklyn, NY - Southpaw !
11-11 Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live ~
11-12 Arlington, VA - Iota ~
11-14 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 !
11-15 Knoxville, TN - Pilot Light !
11-16 Decatur, GA - The Earl !
11-17 Birmingham, AL - Bottle Tree !
11-18 Lexington, KY - Mecca Studio !+
11-20 Pittsburgh, PA - Andy Warhol Museum ~
11-21 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center ~
11-22 Indianapolis, IN - Birdy's
11-25 Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theater =

* with Bitter Tears
# with Peter and the Wolf
^ with Tracy Morrow and the Magi Chippie
% with Flecton Bigsky
$ with Ramblin' Jack Elliott
~ with Brent Green
! with the Judy Green
+ with Aaron Rosenbloom
= with Wilco