The Third Eye

Guitar duo Elkhorn released a beautiful live record in February that The Third Eye is catching up with. Shackamaxon Concert was recorded live on July 10, 2022, at 2223 Fish in Philadelphia, featuring two epic raga-like performances and released via VHF Records.

Elkhorn consists of Jesse Sheppard on 12-string acoustic and Drew Gardner on electric. The duo is known for interweaving extended folk tradition with psychedelic improvisation. The duo moves freely from pre-rock to post-rock and beyond. At the Shackamaxon Concert, they’re joined by Mike Gangloff, who plays Hardanger-style fiddle. 

The live performance consists of only two songs, but they are both extended, improvisational jams. “East Dauphin Suite” features the Elkhorn duo’s interlocking acoustic guitar playing, with Gangloff’s fiddle carrying the melody over the top. The track is a riff on American primitive guitar, with Gangloff’s fiddle adding Appalapchian-style touches. The song may have been recorded live in the concrete jungle of Philadelphia, but the sounds lend more to a pastoral landscape and a backwoods reverie. Think camping under the stars on a chill night by the fire.

“Summerfield Raga” is even longer, extending past twenty-one minutes and seeing the trio of musicians add more microtonal variation to their instrumental mastery. There’s an increased energy level in the song, still feeling every bit as Appalachian but with flourishes of widescreen instrumental psychedelia.

Elkhorn is an East Coast psych-folk combo you need in your life, and this recent live record proves it even further. Fans of primitive guitar and heady psychedelic instrumentals should enjoy Shackamaxon Concert. It appears some vinyl is still available with excellent cover artwork, so jump on it while you can.

If you like Shackamaxon Concert, check out Elkhorn’s previous work, such as the brilliant 2020 Storm Sessions. I also recommend Mike Gangloff’s earlier work, including the 2022 LP Evening Measures. Enjoy!

Check out Shackamaxon Concert by Elkhorn & Mike Gangloff on Bandcamp here.

You can support Elkhorn by finding them on Bandcamp, their official website, or social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook).

You can support Mike Gangloff by finding him on Bandcamp or Facebook.

Support VHF Records by finding them on Bandcamp, their official website, or social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

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