National tour leads Electric Blue Yonder back home to big show at Capri Theatre
The artists of Electric Blue Yonder have Montgomery on their minds, even while on a national tour through places like Kentucky, Indiana and New York. They just did a sweet show at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn, after a night on the town at the Mercury Lounge in Manhattan.
EBY is on a three-week tour, and are ready to sing themselves back into the South while following the Eastern Seaboard. Performances along the way are a warmup to their “big show” Oct. 5, 7 p.m. at Montgomery’s Capri Theatre, 1045 E. Fairview Ave.“We’ve been touring in support of our upcoming album Loved & Lost,” said Johnny Veres.
“Loved & Lost (Live at the Schoolhouse)” is EBY’s upcoming collection of love songs, break-up songs, and laments. Johnny and wife/music partner Beth Hataway Veres recorded it this year on March 5 in the old Hunter Station Schoolhouse. They sang in front of a live audience, with Beth and Johnny on guitar and vocals, Russell Thomas Bush on upright bass, and Coleman Woodson III on Wurlitzer. The project was engineered and mixed by Brett Robinson (Whitey Morgan), founder of Alabama Sound Company, and mastered by Scott Hull (John Mayer, Donald Fagen, Garbage, etc.) of Masterdisk Studios.
The record is a departure from the “Space Folk” sound from EBY’s previous projects, which often feature lavish arrangements. The new music harkens back to their origins.
“Beth and I started Electric Blue Yonder with an acoustic guitar and our voices,” Johnny said. “Many of our early friends and fans held these early performances closest to their heart, and related that while they liked the excitement and dynamics of our studio records, they missed those days. For Loved & Lost, we wanted to capture the rawness of a live acoustic performance.” They get emotional and vulnerable as they perform these songs. It’s all them — no tuning or studio magic. Just the sound of the room, their instruments, and their voices through 1940’s era RCA44 microphones.
They'll have originals planned for the Capri show, including an exclusive premiere performance from the new album.
“We’ve got so much to show you!” Johnny said. “Electric Blue Yonder has continued to grow and evolve as a band, and we want to share the fruits of our research expeditions with the great humans of Montgomery. Come along. You belong.”
Plans for EBY's homecoming show
Along with sharing new music, the Capri concert is about Electric Blue Yonder giving back to its community.
“The Cloverdale/CIA area has shown Electric Blue Yonder much love over years with their (Cloverdale Idlewild Association) Concert series,” Johnny said.
Electric Blue Yonder wanted to bring their homecoming to the Capri to create a special experience and show gratitude to the folks who have shown up for them in the past. Many didn’t get the chance to at EBY's last hometown show due to bad weather.
Tickets for the Capri show are $20, and are available online at capritheatre.org.
EBY won’t be alone. Sea of Fog will open the show. There will also be guest appearances from some of Montgomery’s best players. Come out a few hours early, and bring your appetite. Near the Capri, Moe’s Original BBQ at 1051 E. Fairview Ave. is hosting the show's official pre-party at 4 p.m. They’ll have specials and live music by William Barnes and DJ Randolph.
During the 7 p.m. EBY concert, the Capri has partnered with Common Bond to sell locally brewed beverages.
After the concert, Leroy at 2752 Boultier St. will be staying open late for a special afterparty pop shop with Village Green Records.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: National tour leads Electric Blue Yonder home to big show at Capri
