Last Minute Plans: Campfires

By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 5, 2011 10:00PM

Campfires is the sound of one man, Chicagoan Jeff Walls. Simple, joyful and warmly melodic, Campfires's music possesses a low fidelity recording aesthetic. But unlike a lot of so-called or self-described "lo-fi" acts, Campfires's music represents neither a belabored attempt at four-track authenticity in a digital age, nor a futile gesture at making garage-pop appear more sonically complex than it actually is. It simply is. Imagine that.

This is pop music that doesn't need a lot of production frills in order to reach music fans. (Although, there does seem to be some design behind the whole thing. Go figure).

The snaps, crackles and pops in songs like "Dusty Mansions" and "Chasing Planets" aren't an essential component of the music. But they do give a friendly, unpretentious vibe to the songs. The vocal work is a little flat and lackadaisical, but when you're writing tunes that recall Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Strokes (check those opening toms and the jangly intro of "Planets") and the 13th Floor Elevators, you can get away with a few imperfections.

Download the band's latest single, the aforementioned "Dusty Mansions", here. "Dusty Mansions" is the forthcoming single from Campfires, set for release in Spring on Small Plates. Check the four-piece incarnation of Campfires Sunday at the Empty Bottle.

Bird Names, Campfires and Unmanned Ship play Sunday, March 6 at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western, 7 p.m., $3, 21+