Of Montreal, Mercy Lounge, Tonight in Nashville

Are you hungover from last night’s revelry in Nashville?  Well, the best cure for that is to give yourself another helping Tonight in Nashville.

Lemme direct your attention over to Of Montreal at Mercy Lounge tonight, who you are probably a fan of without even knowing it.  The Athens, GA based technicolor psych-popsters have been around for the past 15 years, and their songs are in more TV shows and commercials than you might even think possible (Check the player below to see).  And then click to read about Of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes’ response to being called a sell-out for selling his music to commercials (and to the backlash that Band of Horses faced after selling one of their tracks to Wal-Mart).

Though private and reserved, frontman Kevin Barnes wears his fame like a feathered fedora: on the children’s show Yo Gabba Gabba, in collaborations with Spike Jonze, on stage spanking pigs with Susan Sarandon, on horseback in NYC’s Roseland Ballroom, and even spontaneously performing six songs nude during a concert in Las Vegas.  And yet, perhaps the most shocking aspect of Barnes’ career is something he has NOT done during his previous fifteen years as a musician: entered the studio. As Barnes puts it, of Montreal’s first nine albums were made with “just one man, a computer, and a dirty dream.”  In the age of basement setup digital recording and mastering, this isn’t uncommon, but the true beauty lies in the fact that Barnes arranges all of the instruments for the music he writes.  That is some vision.  While creating a swirling mixture of original indie-pop, glam-rock, funk, and R&B, of Montreal also doesn’t hesitate to imitate anyone.  They have 86 covers and counting…. click for the amazing cover of White Stripes “Fell In Love With A Girl”.  As you can tell from that example, it is a trait of quality musicianship that can pull that off so seamlessly.

Of Montreal is currently touring in support of their most recent release, False Priest (via Polyvinyl in 2010).  Speaking with Pitchfork Media, Kevin Barnes said of the album’s sound, “there’s a thick R&B influence, so it’s cool that we have a lot of deep low end.” “There’s a lot of very dancey, very funky songs… We try to have these ‘holy fuck’ moments where you’re really having your mind blown, especially if you’re listening to it on headphones.”  Well, you get your chance for the ‘holy fuck’ moment by seeing Of Montreal live tonight at The Mercy Lounge.  Openers include Yip Deceiver and Kishi Bashi (both side projects for of Montreal members).

It’s gonna be a hell of a show, so get out and see some live music.

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