April 2nd, 2008. The Apples in Stereo have a new album out entitled Electronic Projects for Musicians, collecting rare tracks from 1995-2006. In December 2007 lead Apple Robert Schneider was busy approving the just-finalized art and layout for the album when he took an hour-long call from Optical Atlas to explain the project, answer questions submitted by fans, and sift through memories from the period it spans. Is digital better than analog? Is stereo better than mono? Do the Japanese really get better records than the Americans? All is answered here.

http://opticalatlas.com/?p=1109

On the road to promote their new album Carpenter's Falls, Folklore drops by the Optical Atlas H.Q. for a live set featuring ballads of Loki, Satan, and a ghost called Beaverman. Derek Almstead (Elf Power, Circulatory System) and Ian Rickert (Bugs Eat Books) back lead singer/songwriter Jimmie Hughes.

Download it here:

The Optical Atlas Show 2: Folklore Live

Is MySpace not enough for you, you social-networking junkie?  Then in that case, check out the Optical Atlas Facebook group, where you can discuss all things Optical Atlas and all things Elephant 6.  And make friends with me there, too.  God knows I need them.

We've added a streaming jukebox to the website.  I hope to keep this stocked with new tracks each week, a mixture of rare songs and popular ones.  You can listen to this week's program here (warning: it starts playing right away...):

http://opticalatlas.com/?page_id=3

Beginning this week, podcasts of WGSU 89.3FM's "Elephant 6 Show" (which airs every Sunday at noon EST) will be archived at Optical Atlas.  Just go to OpticalAtlas.com and click on the "E6 Radio" tab at the top.  Andy Gonzales of M Coast wrote the theme song!  Members of Neutral Milk Hotel, of Montreal, and Midget and Hairs contribute station IDs!  Really great music too! 

A big thanks to DJ Becky for providing the first podcast to us.

Two new interviews this week:

In the Courtyard with High Water Marks

In the Courtyard with Casper & the Cookies

Learn why Norway can kick Lexington, Kentucky's ass.  Why Casper & the Cookies should no longer be called that, but will be anyway.  Etc., etc.  Fun fun.

Win a copy of the brand new compilation Happy Happy Birthday to Me Vol. 4. For details, visit the equally brand new www.opticalatlas.com.  

Hey kids, the blog is back!

http://www.opticalatlas.com

I was hoping to get the blog back up by now, but it's not to be, obviously.  Due to irreconcilable differences, I'm divorcing Blogger and moving in with WordPress.  I'm also switching servers.  If you start to see broken links, or missing MP3s (at OA or Electric Sailor), don't worry, I hope to get everything repaired soon.  (Although don't expect the old "dot blogspot" links to work.  I'm archiving the old Blogger posts and will be making them available on the new site, but the old blog is getting deleted.)  The new site will have a greater emphasis on blogging and running interviews...less so on the other stuff.  Until we're fully up and running, excuse the mess.