Why you should check out Tara Jane O'Neil and Ela Orleans, by Michael Kasparis

• Michael Kasparis
• 19 May 2014

The Night School Records founder recommends the atmospheric, experimental music double-bill

Tara Jane O'Neil's trajectory from bass player in legendary 90s group Rodan to wandering troubadour songstress has taken in everything from slight, acoustic confessions to dusty, feedback-soaked guitar abstractions. The first time I saw her live was in a DIY space, surrounded by lamps and fairy lights, in Olympia, Washington. It was a tumultuous, emotional wringer she put the audience through – unafraid to explore the space with distorted, wig-out guitars and loops before swooping back into a fragile, poignant whisper to let some light through. It was totally entrancing and, by the time the last echo had faded, it felt like awakening from some other universe – I'm thrilled to be able to do it all over again. Ela Orleans should need no introduction, of course: a true master of atmosphere and the perfect gateway to a glorious head-trip of an evening.

Tara Jane O'Neil and Ela Orleans, Glad Café, Glasgow, Tue 10 Jun. Night School all-dayer, featuring Molly Nilsson, Yong Yong, Clip Art, Ubre Blanca, Hausfrau and more, The Art School, Glasgow, Sun 25 May.