# Elf Power > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Elf_Power > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Elf_Power.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_Power > Source revision: 1334595722 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American indie rock band This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Elf Power" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (June 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Elf Power Elf Power performing live at Athfest 2018 Background information Origin Athens, Georgia, United States Genres Indie rock neo-psychedelia psychedelic pop Years active 1994–present Labels Orange Twin Rykodisc Arena Rock Elephant Six spinArt Low Transit Industries Yep Roc Members Andrew Rieger Laura Carter Bryan Poole Dave Wrathgabar Peter Alvanos Past members Derek Almstead John Fernandes Adrian Finch Matthew Garrison Raleigh Hatfield Eric Harris James Huggins Jimmy Hughes Ballard Lesemann Aaron Wegelin Website elfpower.com **Elf Power** is an American [indie rock](/source/Indie_rock) band that originated in [Athens, Georgia](/source/Athens%2C_Georgia), United States. The line-up consists of guitarist/vocalist [Andrew Rieger](/source/Andrew_Rieger), keyboardist [Laura Carter](/source/Laura_Carter_(musician)), guitarist Dave Wrathgabar, bassist Bryan Poole, and drummer Peter Alvanos. They are part of the [Elephant Six](/source/Elephant_Six) Collective. ## History The band began as a four-track recording project of Rieger, Carter, Raleigh Hatfield and Dave Wrathgabar, later of [Fablefactory](/source/Fablefactory). These recording sessions eventually resulted in the first incarnation of their debut album *[Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs](/source/Vainly_Clutching_at_Phantom_Limbs)*. The band's line-up expanded when Rieger and Carter recruited [Elephant Six](/source/Elephant_Six) musician Bryan Poole, also known as [The Late B.P. Helium](/source/The_Late_B.P._Helium). While the band occasionally played live shows and continued to record, Poole chiefly stayed in [Athens](/source/Athens%2C_Georgia) to continue work with [Of Montreal](/source/Of_Montreal) while Rieger and Carter moved to [New York City](/source/New_York_City). ### Mid–late 1990s After residing in [New York](/source/New_York_City) for some time, the band released *[The Winter Hawk EP](/source/The_Winter_Hawk_EP)* in 1996.[2][3] Eventually, Rieger and Carter were convinced to move back to [Athens](/source/Athens%2C_Georgia), where the band's second album *[When the Red King Comes](/source/When_the_Red_King_Comes)* was ultimately recorded and released[2] as a joint venture between the [Arena Rock Recording Co.](/source/Arena_Rock_Recording_Co.) and the [Elephant Six](/source/Elephant_Six) label. The album featured contributions by members of [The Olivia Tremor Control](/source/The_Olivia_Tremor_Control), [Kevin Barnes](/source/Kevin_Barnes) of [Of Montreal](/source/Of_Montreal), and [Jeff Mangum](/source/Jeff_Mangum) of [Neutral Milk Hotel](/source/Neutral_Milk_Hotel). Shortly following the release of *When the Red King Comes*, Elf Power collaborated with [Dave Fridmann](/source/Dave_Fridmann), best known for his work with [The Flaming Lips](/source/The_Flaming_Lips), to record the album *[A Dream in Sound](/source/A_Dream_in_Sound)*.[3] The album was again recorded with the help of Mangum and Barnes, as well as [Scott Spillane](/source/Scott_Spillane) of [Neutral Milk Hotel](/source/Neutral_Milk_Hotel) and [The Gerbils](/source/The_Gerbils). During the 1999 supporting tour for *[A Dream in Sound](/source/A_Dream_in_Sound)*, Adrian Finch joined the band to play [violin](/source/Violin). Following the addition, the band recorded an [EP](/source/Extended_play) focused chiefly on cover material entitled *Come On*. Around this time, *Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs* was reissued with material from early sessions. ### Early–mid-2000s The band regrouped in late 2000 to record *[The Winter Is Coming](/source/The_Winter_Is_Coming)*, again with help from members of other Elephant Six bands. Notably, the band spent this time as a supporting act for fellow [Athens](/source/Athens%2C_Georgia) band [R.E.M.](/source/R.E.M.), as well as [Wilco](/source/Wilco). [Bryan Poole](/source/Bryan_Poole) would exit the band for good following the European tour for the album to focus on solo work. 2002 saw the release of two albums from the band: *[Creatures](/source/Creatures_(Elf_Power_album))*, an effort released by [spinART](/source/SpinART), and *[Nothing's Going to Happen](/source/Nothing's_Going_to_Happen)*, an album released on [Orange Twin Records](/source/Orange_Twin_Records) that contained various cover songs and the [Come On](/source/Come_On_(EP)) EP. During this time, Finch left the lineup and Ballard Lesemann stepped in to play [bass](/source/Bass_(instrument)). In 2004, Elf Power released their seventh studio album *[Walking with the Beggar Boys](/source/Walking_with_the_Beggar_Boys)*. The album was released to notable media and critical praise and featured contributions from [Vic Chesnutt](/source/Vic_Chesnutt). The band released *[Back to the Web](/source/Back_to_the_Web)* on [Rykodisc](/source/Rykodisc) in April 2006, an album which featured bassist Derek Almstead. A tour of the United States and Europe followed. They were also chosen to play in the United Kingdom 2006 [All Tomorrow's Parties](/source/All_Tomorrow's_Parties_(music_festival)) music festival curated by [The Shins](/source/The_Shins). ### 2008–present The band's ninth album *[In a Cave](/source/In_a_Cave)* was released in March 2008 on [Rykodisc](/source/Rykodisc). Their [MySpace](/source/MySpace) page first described the project as "a lushly orchestrated mix of eclectic songwriting that is sure to conjure up memories of 1997's *When the Red King Comes*" and stressed its "more mature approach to arrangements, lyrics, and instrumentation." Elf Power collaborated with [Vic Chesnutt](/source/Vic_Chesnutt) on *[Dark Developments](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dark_Developments_(album)&action=edit&redlink=1)*, released on [Orange Twin](/source/Orange_Twin) in 2008.[4] It was supported by U.S. and European tours. Aaron Wegelin, who drummed on the first five Elf Power albums, died on February 2, 2021.[5] In 2022, Elf Power released their twelfth album *Artificial Countrysides* on [Yep Roc Records](/source/Yep_Roc_Records).[6] ## Discography Source:[3] ### Albums - *[Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs](/source/Vainly_Clutching_at_Phantom_Limbs)* — Self-released / Drug Racer / [Arena Rock Recording Co.](/source/Arena_Rock_Recording_Co.) (1995/1996/2000) - *[When the Red King Comes](/source/When_the_Red_King_Comes)* — Arena Rock Recording Co. / Elephant 6 (1997) - *[A Dream in Sound](/source/A_Dream_in_Sound)* — Arena Rock Recording Co. / Elephant 6 (1999) - *[The Winter Is Coming](/source/The_Winter_Is_Coming)* — Sugar Free Records / Elephant 6 (2000) - *[Creatures](/source/Creatures_(Elf_Power_album))* — [spinART](/source/SpinART) (2002) - *[Nothing's Going to Happen](/source/Nothing's_Going_to_Happen)* — Orange Twin (2002) - *[Walking with the Beggar Boys](/source/Walking_with_the_Beggar_Boys)* — Low Transit Industries / Orange Twin (2004) - *[Back to the Web](/source/Back_to_the_Web)* — Rykodisc (2006) - *Treasures from the Trash Heap* — Self-released (2006) - *[In a Cave](/source/In_a_Cave)* — Rykodisc (2008) - *[Dark Developments](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dark_Developments_(album)&action=edit&redlink=1) (With [Vic Chesnutt](/source/Vic_Chesnutt) and the Amorphous Strums)* — Orange Twin (2008)[4] - *[Elf Power](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elf_Power_(album)&action=edit&redlink=1)* — Orange Twin (2010)[7] - *[Sunlight on the Moon](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sunlight_on_the_Moon&action=edit&redlink=1)* — Orange Twin (2013)[8] - *[Twitching in Time](/source/Twitching_in_Time)* — Orange Twin (2017) - *[Artificial Countrysides](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Artificial_Countrysides&action=edit&redlink=1)* — Yep Roc Records (2022)[6] ### EPs - *[The Winter Hawk EP](/source/The_Winter_Hawk_EP)* (Cassette/7") — Self-released / [Kindercore Records](/source/Kindercore_Records) (1996) - *[Come On](/source/Come_On_(EP))* — Little Army (1999) ### Singles - Kindercore Singles Club: May split single with [Great Lakes](/source/Great_Lakes_(band)) (7") — Kindercore Records (2000) - "Jane/Needles in the Camel's Eyes" — Shifty Disco (2000) - "High Atop the Silver Branches" — Shifty Disco (2001) - "The Naughty Villain" (7") — Shifty Disco (2002) - Split single with Velvet Monkeys "Honey" (Spacemen 3 cover) - Chunklet Industries (2018) - Cara Records Singles Club: "Dim Mazes/A Coin in Mid Air" - Cara Records (2020) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** McCoy, Chris (May 19, 2017). ["Tobin Sprout and Elf Power Down By The River | Music Blog"](https://www.memphisflyer.com/MusicBlog/archives/2017/05/19/tobin-sprout-and-elf-power-down-by-the-river). *Memphis Flyer*. Retrieved March 12, 2020. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ww_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ww_2-1) Kiser, Amy (April 16, 1998). ["Elfin Magic"](https://www.westword.com/music/elfin-magic-5058561). *Westword*. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-tp_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-tp_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-tp_3-2) ["Elf Power"](https://trouserpress.com/reviews/elf-power/). *Trouser Press*. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-p_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-p_4-1) Deusner, Stephen M. ["Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power, and the Amorphous Strums: Dark Developments"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12396-dark-developments/). *Pitchfork*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["R.I.P. Elf Power Drummer Aaron Wegelin"](https://exclaim.ca/music/article/r_i_p_elf_power_drummer_aaron_wegelin). *Exclaim!*. Retrieved February 5, 2021. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-pm_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-pm_6-1) ["Elf Power: Artificial Countrysides"](https://www.popmatters.com/elf-power-artificial-countrysides-review). *PopMatters*. July 27, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Thompson, Paul. ["Elf Power: Elf Power"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14667-elf-power/). *Pitchfork*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Thompson, Paul. ["Elf Power: Sunlight on the Moon"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18580-elf-power-sunlight-on-the-moon/). *Pitchfork*. ## External links - [Official site](http://www.elfpower.com/) - [Elf Power on Allmusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p294618) - [Elf Power](https://www.discogs.com/artist/Elf+Power) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) - [Elf Power](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6469566/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [Arena Rock Recording Co.](http://www.arenarock.com) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071020200042/http://arenarock.com/) 2007-10-20 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) v t e Elephant 6 Individuals Robert Schneider Bill Doss Jeff Mangum Will Cullen Hart Hilarie Sidney Scott Spillane Derek Almstead Jeremy Barnes Kevin Barnes Martyn Leaper Rebecca Cole Andrew Rieger Laura Carter Bryan Poole John Ferguson John Fernandes John Hill Tammy Ealom Robbee Cucchiaro Julian Koster Jim McIntyre Chris Parfitt John d'Azzo Eric Harris (musician) Peter Erchick AJ Griffin Will Westbrook Andy Gonzales Dottie Alexander Jamey Huggins Jill Carnes Bands/Solo projects Air-Sea Dolphin the Apples in Stereo thee American Revolution Bablicon Beulah Black Swan Network Calvin, Don't Jump! Casper & the Cookies Cellar Lantern Hymns Clay Bears Chocolate USA Circulatory System the Diminisher Dressy Bessy Elf Power the Essex Green Fablefactory the Gerbils Great Lakes a Hawk and a Hacksaw the High Water Marks Icy Demons the Instruments James Husband the Ladybug Transistor Major Organ and the Adding Machine Marbles Marshmallow Coast Midget and Hairs the Minders the Music Tapes Neutral Milk Hotel of Montreal The Olivia Tremor Control Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't Secret Square Spaceflyte The Sunshine Fix Supercluster Ulysses Vince Mole and His Calcium Orchestra Von Hemmling Related articles Cloud Recordings Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records Joyful Noise Recordings Orange Twin Records Pet Sounds Studio Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF Artists MusicBrainz --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Elf Power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_Power) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elf_Power?action=history)). 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