PUBLISHED IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE MARCH 25, 2015

OnMarch 29, the uplifting and powerfully relaxing band Acoustic Eidolon, will be performing at the Chicago Street Theatre.

The husband and wife duo, Joe Scott and Hannah Alkire, team up to bring audiences flamenco, world, Celtic, folk, and Americana- inspired music. “We don’t really fit into a box,” says Alkire, “our music is pretty unique. Not many bands have a double-necked, 12-string acoustic guitar and a cello.”

Acoustic Eidolon started out 17 years ago. “We met in Boulder, Colorado, and got together to jam and play together. Once we played, and felt that the music we played together was so powerful, we realized that we had to clear out our lives and make this happen,” says Alkire. Ever since that day that Acoustic Eidolon was formed, they have been touring all over. The love and respect that Scott and Alkire have for each other is heard in every note and harmony.
Scott’s guitar, a double-necked Guitjo that he jokingly refers to as “Dos Neckies”, is unique. The one neck is strung like a regular acoustic guitar with an extra bass string, the other neck is strung together like a banjo, but with two extra treble strings. As Scott plays both necks, the sound produced from this one-of-a-kind instrument is almost harp-like.

Although Alkire’s cello has only four strings and one neck, she is a trained, world-class cellist. Her passion for life comes across in her music. As a survivor of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Alkire refused to give up playing cello as she underwent chemo and radiation for treatment. Ever since, Alkire is, “strangely grateful,” and says that is was, “a wake-up call that leaves you pretty much stuck in a state of permanent appreciation mode.”

Acoustic Eidolon is excited to bring their show to the Edie’s Attic show at the Chicago Street Theatre. “Valparaiso has an intimacy to it that we just love,” say Alkire.

The show at Chicago Street Theatre will be unlike other shows performed around the nation. “We plan to do songs from Joe’s first album, Public Human, as well as incorporate some of our new music as well,” says Alkire.

Tickets to the show are extremely limited, as the Edie’s Attic space for the One Night Jam Series, is a very intimate coffee-house feel that helps the audience feel as if they are a part of the music.

If you would like to sample some of Acoustic Eidolon’s music before the show, their website, acousticeidolon.com has full-versions of their music. If you are unable to make it to the show, check out their music on CDBaby, Amazon, Pandora, Spotify, or iTunes.

Beth Casey is a freelance writer.

Acoustic Eidolon

7 p.m. March 29

Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W Chicago St, Valparaiso

Tickets: $15

219-464-1636 or Chicagostreet.org