Orbiting Human Circus is an expansive project spanning music, storytelling, games, immersive theater and even a narrative fiction podcast, all evolving from the mind of Elephant 6 collective member Julian Koster (Neutral Milk Hotel, The Music Tapes). The vision for a debut album, Quartet Plus Two—set to release Nov. 17 via Merge Records—took form when Koster met bass player Gauvain Gamon and drummer Kolja Gjoni playing Gershwin and Mingus in New York’s Central Park. Later on, pianist Benji Miller and longtime Music Tapes bandmates Robbie Cucchiaro (horns) and Thomas Hughes (orchestral arranging and chimes) also joined in to create the album. Experimental as the project may be, its unusual songs, comforting stories and playful theatrics build an imaginative world of its own. Koster and Cucchiaro will perform songs from The Music Tapes as a duo during their night at the 40 Watt.
WHO: Orbiting Human Circus
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 21, 8 p.m. (doors)
WHERE: 40 Watt Club
HOW MUCH: $20
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