PRESS
ADVANCE LISTING FOR TONIC SHOW
The New Yorker
AKRON/FAMILY - ANGELS OF LIGHT
107 Norfolk St. (212-358-7503)‹March 11:The Angels of Light, the protean group led by the ex-Swans front man and impresario Michael Gira, join Akron/Family, Gira¹s newest discovery, for a double record-release party to benefit this troubled downtown venue (it is facing eviction, in part because the rent money has gone to capital repairs, the latest of which involves a failed sewage pipe). Gira produced Akron/Family¹s self-titled début record, and he enjoyed working with the band so much that they backed him for his own new record, ³The Angels of Light Sing ŒOther People.¹² Gira sings over a slew of instruments (including organ, banjo, Casio keyboards, and glockenspiel), and the music is full of country picking, slide guitar, and beautiful backup singing from his youthful (the oldest member is twenty-six) and earnest band. The Akron/Family, for their part, play passionate and unorthodox folk music that embraces dissonant rock guitar and Beach Boys-like vocal harmonies, as well as more traditional mournful balladry.