Commonwealth Times

Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Spectrum

Media Credit: Cynthia K. Merchant Cellist and keyboardist Heather McIntosh lends her vocal contribution

Media Credit: Cynthia K. Merchant while frontman Andrew Rieger rocks out

On Tuesday night, Richmond welcomed back the psychedelic sounds of folk rock band Elf Power. Making their first appearance in Richmond in 10 years, Elf Power took to the stage at the Hyperlink Café where a large crowd came out to support the Georgia native rockers.

The band, whose lineup has changed over the years, currently features seven members that play everything from the guitar to the clarinet to the accordion, with frontman Andrew Rieger leading with vocals.

Elf Power, who recently released its seventh album "Back To The Web," opened up their show in Richmond with several of their new songs, including "Come Lie Down With Me," whose haunting melody showcases Rieger's resonating lyrics and vocals.

"This (album) is a little folkier and a little more textured and orchestral," Rieger said about their new album. "The couple albums before it were more straight ahead rock records but this one is like an orchestrated folk album."

Elf Power, who conceived its name as simply as its music is complex- "I saw it written in the concrete of a restaurant in Athens and I just liked the way it sounded," Rieger shared. Elf Power takes new and unchartered chances with "Back To The Web," definitely adopting a more folk rock sound. Rieger, who is an avid record collector, said that the band draws upon a lot of the music of the late '60s to mid '70s for inspiration, though he admits that he's "a big fan of different kinds of music."

When asked about current musical influences, Rieger immediately mentioned the three-piece Japanese band Boris and British folk band The 18thday of May, proving that Elf Power, who has toured through Europe and Japan, isn't just your typical Southern bred band.

At their show Tuesday night, Elf Power seemed excited to share their new evolved style, with Rieger thanking the crowd for coming out to see them before the show commenced. For the packed audience of both new and old fans, everyone seemed just as anxious to experience a little Elf Power.

Unlike other current day bands, for the members of Elf Power, who formed in 1994 and has spent the last 12 years making music and building a cult-like fan base all over the world, money is the last thing on their minds when it comes to how they define success.

"We're not making a million dollars but we make a living off of playing music, people like to hear our albums, and we get to tour all over the world," Reiger said. "I consider that to be success."

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Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: Spectrum

Media Credit: Cynthia K. Merchant Cellist and keyboardist Heather McIntosh lends her vocal contribution

Media Credit: Cynthia K. Merchant while frontman Andrew Rieger rocks out

On Tuesday night, Richmond welcomed back the psychedelic sounds of folk rock band Elf Power. Making their first appearance in Richmond in 10 years, Elf Power took to the stage at the Hyperlink Café where a large crowd came out to support the Georgia native rockers.

The band, whose lineup has changed over the years, currently features seven members that play everything from the guitar to the clarinet to the accordion, with frontman Andrew Rieger leading with vocals.

Elf Power, who recently released its seventh album "Back To The Web," opened up their show in Richmond with several of their new songs, including "Come Lie Down With Me," whose haunting melody showcases Rieger's resonating lyrics and vocals.

"This (album) is a little folkier and a little more textured and orchestral," Rieger said about their new album. "The couple albums before it were more straight ahead rock records but this one is like an orchestrated folk album."

Elf Power, who conceived its name as simply as its music is complex- "I saw it written in the concrete of a restaurant in Athens and I just liked the way it sounded," Rieger shared. Elf Power takes new and unchartered chances with "Back To The Web," definitely adopting a more folk rock sound. Rieger, who is an avid record collector, said that the band draws upon a lot of the music of the late '60s to mid '70s for inspiration, though he admits that he's "a big fan of different kinds of music."

When asked about current musical influences, Rieger immediately mentioned the three-piece Japanese band Boris and British folk band The 18thday of May, proving that Elf Power, who has toured through Europe and Japan, isn't just your typical Southern bred band.

At their show Tuesday night, Elf Power seemed excited to share their new evolved style, with Rieger thanking the crowd for coming out to see them before the show commenced. For the packed audience of both new and old fans, everyone seemed just as anxious to experience a little Elf Power.

Unlike other current day bands, for the members of Elf Power, who formed in 1994 and has spent the last 12 years making music and building a cult-like fan base all over the world, money is the last thing on their minds when it comes to how they define success.

"We're not making a million dollars but we make a living off of playing music, people like to hear our albums, and we get to tour all over the world," Reiger said. "I consider that to be success."

Page 1 of 1

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