The Elephant Six Collective
Encyclopedia
The Elephant 6 Recording Company (or simply Elephant 6) is a collective
of American musicians who spawned many notable independent bands of the 1990s, including The Apples in Stereo
, The Olivia Tremor Control
, Neutral Milk Hotel
, Beulah
, Elf Power
, Of Montreal
, and Circulatory System
.
by childhood friends Robert Schneider
, Bill Doss
, Will Cullen Hart
, and Jeff Mangum
. The four grew up making music
and sharing cassette tapes in Ruston, Louisiana
while attending high school together. They started several bands and pet projects; Doss and Hart with The Olivia Tremor Control
(then called Synthetic Flying Machine
), Mangum with Neutral Milk Hotel
, and Schneider with The Apples in Stereo
.
It was Schneider who created the Elephant 6 record label
when he moved to Denver, Colorado
in late 1991 to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder
. According to Schneider, Hart coined the name "Elephant 6" and Schneider added "Recording Company." In Denver, Schneider and new friends founded The Apples (which eventually became The Apples in Stereo
). Recorded by April 1993, The Apples' Tidal Wave 7" EP was the first E6 release. Hart designed the Art Nouveau-inspired Elephant 6 logo for the label of The Apples EP. That logo was destined to be featured on a number of classic psychedelic albums from the 1990s to the present.
Doss had moved to Athens
where he joined Hart and Mangum in Synthetic Flying Machine
, which became The Olivia Tremor Control
. They released California Demise
as their first recording, and E6's second.
, Dressy Bessy
, Elf Power
, The Music Tapes
, and Of Montreal
, as well as the founding bands. Most of the bands subsequently signed with major record labels; E6 as an entity slowly deteriorated until the collective called it quits — due to recording difficulties and lack of organization — in 2002. The collective's bands all moved on to various labels and projects of their own.
However, many band members are still friends and even tour together under various guises. Though most of the collective's members span the country, many live together on the Orange Twin Conservation Community
in Athens
. The term "Elephant 6" has since come to refer to a broad range of bands and spin-off projects that the record label has spawned. The Elephant 6 logo has become a symbol for the circle of friends sharing similar ideas and goals.
In 2007 The Apples in Stereo
featured the Elephant 6 logo on their album New Magnetic Wonder
, announcing "The Elephant 6 Recording Company re-opens our doors and windows, and invites the world: join together with your friends and make something special, something meaningful, something to remember when you are old." This marked the first major release in five years to bear the Elephant 6 logo.
In 2008, the Elephant 6 logo was also used when Julian Koster
released his long awaited Music Tapes For Clouds and Tornadoes
under the name The Music Tapes
. He also assembled The Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour which featured contributions from Will Cullen Hart
and Bill Doss
of Olivia Tremor Control, Scott Spillane
of the Gerbils
, Andrew Reiger and Laura Carter
of Elf Power
, Theo Hilton of Nana Grizol
, John Fernandes
and Eric Harris
of OTC, The Music Tapes and Circulatory System
, Robbie Cucchiaro of The Music Tapes, Charlie Johnston and Suzanne Allison of The 63 Crayons
, Nesey Gallons
, Jeff Mangum
, and Peter Erchick. This ensemble tour was widely seen as a resurgence of Elephant 6 as a productive, cohesive entity. The show will soon take place in the UK chosen by Jeff Mangum
of Neutral Milk Hotel
as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties
festival that he will curate in March 2012 in Minehead, England.
On March 4, 2010 Robert Schneider
along with The Apples in Stereo launched stepthroughtheportal.com, an interactive website where the user can explore the past, present and future of The Apples in Stereo. The site includes a short film featuring Elijah Wood
, free song, time machine streaming songs from their past albums and more.
In recent years, Schneider has explored a number of experimental music projects, such as the Teletron mind-controlled synthesizer and Non-Pythagorean scale
of his own invention. Since the inception of Elephant 6, members of the collective showed a strong interest and participation in experimental music, particularly The Olivia Tremor Control
and Von Hemmling
.
Collective
A collective is a group of entities that share or are motivated by at least one common issue or interest, or work together on a specific project to achieve a common objective...
of American musicians who spawned many notable independent bands of the 1990s, including The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo, styled The Apples in stereo, is an American indie rock band associated with The Elephant Six Collective, a group of bands also including Neutral Milk Hotel and The Olivia Tremor Control. The band is largely a product of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider, who writes the...
, The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control is an indie rock band prominent in the mid to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects...
, Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
, Beulah
Beulah (band)
Beulah was an indie rock band from San Francisco, California, often associated with The Elephant 6 Recording Company.-Early Years: 1996-1998:...
, Elf Power
Elf Power
Elf Power is an indie rock band that originated in Athens, Georgia. Currently, the line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Rieger, keyboardist Laura Carter, guitarist Jimmy Hughes, bassist Derek Almstead, and drummer Eric Harris...
, Of Montreal
Of Montreal
Of Montreal is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. It was founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman "of Montreal." The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective...
, and Circulatory System
Circulatory System
Circulatory System is a psychedelic rock musical ensemble formed by musician/painter Will Cullen Hart, and featuring Derek Almstead, Suzanne Allison, Peter Erchick, John Fernandes, Charlie Johnston, and Heather McIntosh....
.
Foundation
The collective was officially founded in Denver, ColoradoDenver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
by childhood friends Robert Schneider
Robert Schneider
Robert Peter Schneider is one of the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, along with Will Cullen Hart, Bill Doss, and Jeff Mangum...
, Bill Doss
Bill Doss
Bill Doss is among the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, based in Athens, Georgia, and one of the key creative forces behind The Olivia Tremor Control, one of the leaders of the collective, and later, following the band's break-up, The Sunshine Fix...
, Will Cullen Hart
Will Cullen Hart
William "Will" Cullen Hart is one of the co-founders of the Elephant Six Collective, as well as the rock band The Olivia Tremor Control...
, and Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
. The four grew up making music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and sharing cassette tapes in Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
while attending high school together. They started several bands and pet projects; Doss and Hart with The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control is an indie rock band prominent in the mid to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects...
(then called Synthetic Flying Machine
Synthetic Flying Machine
Synthetic Flying Machine was an early project of the The Olivia Tremor Control's Will Cullen Hart and Bill Doss, and Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Mangum. The band later went on to become known as the Olivia Tremor Control, before Mangum eventually left to focus upon Neutral Milk Hotel...
), Mangum with Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
, and Schneider with The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo, styled The Apples in stereo, is an American indie rock band associated with The Elephant Six Collective, a group of bands also including Neutral Milk Hotel and The Olivia Tremor Control. The band is largely a product of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider, who writes the...
.
It was Schneider who created the Elephant 6 record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
when he moved to Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
in late 1991 to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
. According to Schneider, Hart coined the name "Elephant 6" and Schneider added "Recording Company." In Denver, Schneider and new friends founded The Apples (which eventually became The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo, styled The Apples in stereo, is an American indie rock band associated with The Elephant Six Collective, a group of bands also including Neutral Milk Hotel and The Olivia Tremor Control. The band is largely a product of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider, who writes the...
). Recorded by April 1993, The Apples' Tidal Wave 7" EP was the first E6 release. Hart designed the Art Nouveau-inspired Elephant 6 logo for the label of The Apples EP. That logo was destined to be featured on a number of classic psychedelic albums from the 1990s to the present.
Doss had moved to Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
where he joined Hart and Mangum in Synthetic Flying Machine
Synthetic Flying Machine
Synthetic Flying Machine was an early project of the The Olivia Tremor Control's Will Cullen Hart and Bill Doss, and Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Mangum. The band later went on to become known as the Olivia Tremor Control, before Mangum eventually left to focus upon Neutral Milk Hotel...
, which became The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control is an indie rock band prominent in the mid to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects...
. They released California Demise
California Demise
California Demise is an EP released by The Olivia Tremor Control. Recorded at 210 Sunset Ave on various four tracks by Bill Doss, Jeff Mangum, Will Cullen Hart and a few others. This was the second Elephant Six 7" EP...
as their first recording, and E6's second.
Success, disbandment and continuation
Several Elephant 6 projects began to find commercial success in the late 1990s, including BeulahBeulah (band)
Beulah was an indie rock band from San Francisco, California, often associated with The Elephant 6 Recording Company.-Early Years: 1996-1998:...
, Dressy Bessy
Dressy Bessy
Dressy Bessy is an indie rock band from Denver, Colorado, associated with the Elephant Six Collective. Guitarist John Hill also plays with The Apples in Stereo. Lead vocalist/guitarist Tammy Ealom formed the band with drummer Darren Albert and guitarist turned bassist Rob Greene in 1996. The name...
, Elf Power
Elf Power
Elf Power is an indie rock band that originated in Athens, Georgia. Currently, the line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Rieger, keyboardist Laura Carter, guitarist Jimmy Hughes, bassist Derek Almstead, and drummer Eric Harris...
, The Music Tapes
The Music Tapes
The Music Tapes is an experimental pop music project of Elephant 6 member Julian Koster, also of Neutral Milk Hotel, and the earlier Chocolate U.S.A....
, and Of Montreal
Of Montreal
Of Montreal is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. It was founded by frontman Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman "of Montreal." The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective...
, as well as the founding bands. Most of the bands subsequently signed with major record labels; E6 as an entity slowly deteriorated until the collective called it quits — due to recording difficulties and lack of organization — in 2002. The collective's bands all moved on to various labels and projects of their own.
However, many band members are still friends and even tour together under various guises. Though most of the collective's members span the country, many live together on the Orange Twin Conservation Community
Orange Twin Conservation Community
The Orange Twin Conservation Community is a limited liability company formed to create a pedestrian-based eco-village and preserve open space on more than of land located five miles north of downtown Athens, Georgia...
in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. The term "Elephant 6" has since come to refer to a broad range of bands and spin-off projects that the record label has spawned. The Elephant 6 logo has become a symbol for the circle of friends sharing similar ideas and goals.
In 2007 The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo
The Apples in Stereo, styled The Apples in stereo, is an American indie rock band associated with The Elephant Six Collective, a group of bands also including Neutral Milk Hotel and The Olivia Tremor Control. The band is largely a product of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider, who writes the...
featured the Elephant 6 logo on their album New Magnetic Wonder
New Magnetic Wonder
New Magnetic Wonder is the sixth studio album from The Apples in Stereo. The album was produced by Robert Schneider with additional production and mixing by Bryce Goggin and was recorded in three separate states...
, announcing "The Elephant 6 Recording Company re-opens our doors and windows, and invites the world: join together with your friends and make something special, something meaningful, something to remember when you are old." This marked the first major release in five years to bear the Elephant 6 logo.
In 2008, the Elephant 6 logo was also used when Julian Koster
Julian Koster
Julian Koster is an American underground musician and storyteller. A member of the Elephant 6 Collective, he is the leader of The Music Tapes, and a former member of Neutral Milk Hotel and Chocolate USA. He is also an influential and long time performer on the singing or Musical Saw...
released his long awaited Music Tapes For Clouds and Tornadoes
Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes
Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes is an album by The Music Tapes, a project consisting mainly of Neutral Milk Hotel's Julian Koster, released in 2008 by Merge Records...
under the name The Music Tapes
The Music Tapes
The Music Tapes is an experimental pop music project of Elephant 6 member Julian Koster, also of Neutral Milk Hotel, and the earlier Chocolate U.S.A....
. He also assembled The Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour which featured contributions from Will Cullen Hart
Will Cullen Hart
William "Will" Cullen Hart is one of the co-founders of the Elephant Six Collective, as well as the rock band The Olivia Tremor Control...
and Bill Doss
Bill Doss
Bill Doss is among the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, based in Athens, Georgia, and one of the key creative forces behind The Olivia Tremor Control, one of the leaders of the collective, and later, following the band's break-up, The Sunshine Fix...
of Olivia Tremor Control, Scott Spillane
Scott Spillane
Scott Spillane is one of the leaders of the Athens, Georgia, USA band The Gerbils. He is also known for his work playing horns for Neutral Milk Hotel, and appearing on albums and in live shows by Elephant 6 artists such as The Olivia Tremor Control, of Montreal and Elf Power.-References:...
of the Gerbils
The Gerbils
The Gerbils are an indie rock band that formed in Athens, GA in 1998. Part of the Elephant Six Collective, the band released two albums and toured nationwide during their tenure.-Bio:...
, Andrew Reiger and Laura Carter
Laura Carter
Laura Carter is a multi-instrumentalist musician from Athens, GA.She is most notably in the indie rock band Elf Power, but has performed with a number of bands within the Elephant Six Collective, such as Nana Grizol, The Gerbils, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Dixie Blood Moustache...
of Elf Power
Elf Power
Elf Power is an indie rock band that originated in Athens, Georgia. Currently, the line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Rieger, keyboardist Laura Carter, guitarist Jimmy Hughes, bassist Derek Almstead, and drummer Eric Harris...
, Theo Hilton of Nana Grizol
Nana Grizol
Nana Grizol is an American indie rock/folk punk band formed by Theo Hilton in Athens, Georgia under the record label Orange Twin. In addition to Hilton, the band includes Laura Carter and Robbie Cucchiaro .-Discography:Nana Grizol released their first album, Love It Love It on 13 May 2008, and...
, John Fernandes
John Fernandes
John Fernandes is an American multi-instrumentalist musician.-Professional career:Fernandes, along with several other members of the Elephant Six Collective, joined the acclaimed psychedelic pop group The Olivia Tremor Control in Athens, GA in 1994...
and Eric Harris
Eric Harris (musician)
Eric Harris is an American musician who played the drums for The Olivia Tremor Control from 1995 to 2000. Harris currently drums for Elf Power.-References:*...
of OTC, The Music Tapes and Circulatory System
Circulatory System
Circulatory System is a psychedelic rock musical ensemble formed by musician/painter Will Cullen Hart, and featuring Derek Almstead, Suzanne Allison, Peter Erchick, John Fernandes, Charlie Johnston, and Heather McIntosh....
, Robbie Cucchiaro of The Music Tapes, Charlie Johnston and Suzanne Allison of The 63 Crayons
The 63 Crayons
The 63 Crayons is a band of musicians. Formed in Roanoke, Virginia, band members Charlie Johnston , Suzanne Allison , and Ben Davis relocated to Athens, Georgia in 2003, where they were joined by Derek Almstead...
, Nesey Gallons
Nesey Gallons
Nesey Gallons is a solo recording artist associated with the Elephant 6 Collective, and a former member of the bands Circulatory System and The Music Tapes...
, Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
, and Peter Erchick. This ensemble tour was widely seen as a resurgence of Elephant 6 as a productive, cohesive entity. The show will soon take place in the UK chosen by Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum
Jeff Mangum is a musician best known for being the lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the band Neutral Milk Hotel, as well as being one of the cofounders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Mangum, along with the other founding members of the Elephant 6, attended Ruston High School in the late...
of Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel
Neutral Milk Hotel was an American indie rock band formed by singer, guitarist and songwriter Jeff Mangum in the early 1990s. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and eclectic instrumentation....
as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
festival that he will curate in March 2012 in Minehead, England.
On March 4, 2010 Robert Schneider
Robert Schneider
Robert Peter Schneider is one of the co-founders of The Elephant 6 Recording Company, along with Will Cullen Hart, Bill Doss, and Jeff Mangum...
along with The Apples in Stereo launched stepthroughtheportal.com, an interactive website where the user can explore the past, present and future of The Apples in Stereo. The site includes a short film featuring Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood
Elijah Jordan Wood is an American actor. He made his film debut with a minor part in Back to the Future Part II , then landed a succession of larger roles that made him a critically acclaimed child actor by age 9. He is best known for his high-profile role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's...
, free song, time machine streaming songs from their past albums and more.
In recent years, Schneider has explored a number of experimental music projects, such as the Teletron mind-controlled synthesizer and Non-Pythagorean scale
Non-Pythagorean scale
The Non-Pythagorean scale is a musical scale first conceived and developed by Robert Schneider of The Apples in Stereo. It is based on natural logarithms...
of his own invention. Since the inception of Elephant 6, members of the collective showed a strong interest and participation in experimental music, particularly The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control
The Olivia Tremor Control is an indie rock band prominent in the mid to late 1990s which, along with The Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel, was one of the three original Elephant 6 projects...
and Von Hemmling
Von Hemmling
Von Hemmling is the solo project of Jim McIntyre and one of many experimental music projects associated with The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Though Jim McIntyre is the band's primary performer, Hilarie Sidney and John Hill have both been members of Von Hemmling before becoming members of The...
.
External links
- Elephant6.com – The official site about the collective.
- Optical Atlas – An unofficial site with almost daily blog postings of current E6 happenings.
- E6 Townhall – An official Elephant Six message board.
- E6 Wiki – An unofficial Elephant Six wiki.
- E6 2008 Concert on NPR Music
- Step Through the Portal - The Apples in Stereo interactive website