Published
Wed, May 18, 2016, 17:13
- Empty Bottle's Beyond The Gate series returns to the Bohemian National Cemetery in June.
Grouper will be in Chicago next month to play at Empty Bottle's next cemetery concert, Beyond The Gate, on Saturday, June 18th.
Empty Bottle has been presenting Beyond The Gate on or around the time of a summer full moon or solstice since 2013. Each event has taken place outside at (or to be exact, adjacent to) the mausoleum in the historic Bohemian National Cemetary, near Pulaski and Bryn Mawr on the city's North Side. The programming has been appropriate for the setting, with Silver Apples, Earth and Disappears counting as previous guests. In 2013 and 2014, one show happened each summer, while last year featured two events, suggesting a positive reception to the concept.
Headlining honors for next month's concert will go to Grouper. The Portland-based artist, real name Liz Harris, has drawn acclaim for the droning ambient soundscapes she creates (mainly with guitar, vocals and effects), as heard on labels like Type and Chicago's Kranky. The latter imprint issued her most recent two LPs, including 2014's widely praised Ruins, comprised of what you might call "unplugged" songs for piano and voice. Harris is also known for collaborating with the likes of Lawrence English, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma and Jesy Forentino.
Another out-of-towner is confirmed in longtime LA experimental artist Anna Homler, who will appear as Breadwoman, an identity described as a mystical storyteller "so very old she's turned into bread," that's recently resurfaced on RVNG Intl. Two left-of-center Chicago acts complete the lineup: Good Willsmith, a drone and psych-rock trio whose latest LP Things Our Bodies Used to Have saw release on Umor Rex earlier this year, and Simulation, a collaboration between Laura Callier of Gel Set and Whitney Johnson (AKA Matchess).
The event will begin at 6 PM, with admission open to all ages. In case it's not obvious, Empty Bottle has this friendly advice for the occasion: "We implore all attendees to treat these events with the respect they deserve."