The Music Tapes Extend Travelling Imaginary Tour To Chicago

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 18, 2013 4:40PM

We were bumming pretty hard when we learned over the winter that The Music Tapes had not included Chicago on its The Travelling Imaginary tour. The experimental pop act, which was touring in support of its newest album, Mary’s Voice, had only booked a handful of dates on the East Coast. But, as luck has it, the band recently announced that it will extend the tour to include 10 more stops, including two shows at the Bottom Lounge.

If you’ve never seen The Music Tapes live, you’re missing out. Lead man Julian Koster (of Elephant 6) and his friends don’t come around very often, but when they do, it’s like a magical escape into Koster’s dream world—along with surreal ditties led by a singing saw, there are stories, interactive games, and homemade props galore (like a 7-foot metronome and Static the Singing Television). His music and performances come with a Christmastime feel: warm, fuzzy, and nostalgia-inducing.

For The Travelling Imaginary tour, the act is pitching its own home-made circus tent, and when you enter the Bottom Lounge’s music room, before the music starts, you’ll be greeted with carnival games. For the music portion of the night, the band will play songs off Mary’s Voice, accompanied by 16mm cartoons and other visuals and, we expect, lots of storytelling. Take a little glimpse into the tour with this trailer:

The Music Tapes play Wednesday, May 1 at the Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake, 7 p.m. (all ages) and 10:30 p.m. (17+), $15