When Bill Callahan chose to perform under his birth name after operating as Smog, and occasionally (Smog), his record label asked him to reconsider. It warned that album sales would drop, and that it might take years for the numbers to recover. But Callahan insisted upon the change, as he told Pitchfork.com in 2007, to demarcate a change for myself. In other words: To clear the air of the oppressive alter-ego that was Smog. And yet, the music itself hasnt changed much. Over Callahans nearly 20 years of songwriting, hes gone from making tunes so lo-fi they were practically subterranean to more expansive studio recordings with a backing band and harmonies. And yet, the gruff baritone and wistful, angst-ridden lyrics remain unchanged. While his latest release, Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle, isnt the most approachable of all his recordsnewcomers to Callahan might consider checking out Knock Knock firstits just the latest proof of enduring quality beneath a changing brand name. Bachelorette opens. SARA BRICKNER
Sat., June 27, 8 p.m., 2009
