As one half of Houston duo Charalambides, guitarist Tom Carter has been sculpting singular psychedelic soundscapes to accompany his now-ex-wife Christina Carter’s yearning, introspective vocal excursions. The trippy twosome have been at the forefront of the avant-garde psych-folk movement for two decades now, and were touring Europe recently when Tom became seriously ill, spending several weeks in intensive care in a German hospital as a result of complications from pneumonia. Charalambides has been a huge influence on a couple of local acts, William Tyler and The Cherry Blossoms, who are joining forces to put on (and perform at) this benefit to help with Tom’s medical expenses. (Though he is still weak and recovering, Tom is back in the U.S.) As if this weren’t reason enough to show up, a gig at The Bang Candy Company, makers of the world’s most awesome handmade marshmallows, seals the deal and dips it in chocolate. Klyd Watkins and Chet Weise will read poetry, and Tyler and the Blossoms’ Chris Davis will DJ too. If you can’t make it, you can contribute at helptomcarter.org.
— Jack Silverman