Elfin Saddle Kickoff US Tour w/ Sunset Rubdown

On their second album, Jordan McKenzie and Emi Honda have created a mesmerising experience somewhere between revolution and fairytale. It is difficult to place it accurately in any standard musical taxonomy but with elements of folk, world music and a fierce rock and roll spirit, Elfin Saddle have created some of the most stirring songs to enter my ears recently. - Brainwashed.com

As mystical as the magic mushroom they named themselves after, this Montreal duo create an unsettling hybrid of western archival folk and Japanese music that sounds like a Brothers Grimm fairytale set in a forest after dark. - NME

Elfin Saddle is the evolved musical project of scavenger artists Emi Honda and Jordan McKenzie. Prompted by their need to downsize an accumulation of musical instruments and objects in their migration to Montreal from Victoria, BC, Elfin Saddle focuses on the creative use of a compact array of acoustic instruments, including prepared accordion, banjo, and guitars, musical saw, and ad-hoc percussion setups. Having collaborated for years on various visual art and sound projects, Elfin Saddle is a fresh culmination of the ideas and ideals shared by both artists.

Emi, originally from southern Japan, moved to Vancouver Island in the late 90's and was immediately fascinated with the lush landscape and local flora. She began gardening and building visually complex, mechanical assemblage sculptures, which she began to exhibit in local galleries. Jordan, who was also living on the island and working a similar vein in art school, happened upon one of these sculptures. Recognizing the eerily similar themes in each other's work and sharing an affinity for the natural landscape, the two quickly became friends, triggering an extended wave of collaborations.

Sound Stories, a musical project of Jordan's at the time that incorporated homemade sound machines, prepared records, storytelling, and a revolving cast of friends, was eventually joined by Emi. The two also began playing frequently as a duo and made several recordings that were released on Westhome, Jordan's own small imprint. They also began to collaborate on unique multi-sensory art installations, comprised of old motors, timers, organs, plants, and other found junk, carefully composed to create bizarre landscapes and dream-like atmospheres and to execute loops of movement and sound. Their series of exhibitions with fellow Victoria artist Scott Evans, received considerable attention.

Since arriving in Montreal in 2006, Elfin Saddle has been steadily gaining audience and acclaim for their original and emotive live performances. Having released Gigantic Mother/Wounded Child on Kill Devil Hills Records in early 2008, they are proud to be releasing their follow-up, Ringing For The Begin Again, on Constellation. A recent addition to their recordings and live performances is Nathan Gage (Shapes and Sizes, owner of Phonopolis record store in Montreal), rounding out their sound with thick drones and subtle bursts on double-bass and tuba. Emi and Jordan are currently working on an extensive stop-motion/time-lapse film, featuring the growth of plants and the animation of a large collection of scavenged objects.


US Tour w/ Sunset Rubdown!
Jun 11 2009 Middle East Downstairs Cambridge, Maine
Jun 12 2009 Studio B Brooklyn, New York
Jun 13 2009 Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jun 14 2009 Black Cat Washington DC, Washington DC
Jun 15 2009 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Jun 16 2009 The Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 18 2009 Chelsea's Cafe Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Jun 19 2009 House of Blues -Bronze Peacock Houston, Texas
Jun 20 2009 Mohawk Austin, Texas
Jun 22 2009 Plush Tucson, Arizona
Jun 23 2009 Echoplex Los Angeles, California
Jun 24 2009 The Rickshaw Stop San Francisco, California
Jun 26 2009 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, Oregon
Jun 27 2009 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington
Jun 28 2009 Sugar Victoria, British Columbia
Jun 30 2009 Richards On Richards Vancouver, British Columbia
Jul 2 2009 The Marquee Room Calgary, Alberta
Jul 3 2009 The Pawn Shop Edmonton, Alberta
Jul 4 2009 Louis' Pub Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Jul 5 2009 West End Cultural Center Winnipeg, Manitoba
Jul 6 2009 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jul 7 2009 Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, Illinois
Jul 8 2009 Jake's Nightclub Bloomington, Indiana
Jul 10 2009 Lee's Palace Toronto, Ontario
Jul 11 2009 Il Motore Montreal, Quebec

For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/elfinsaddle
www.cstrecords.com