With the days counting down to the second Already Dead Family Reunion, we here over at DIT figured we’d do an extended preview of sorts about a few of the artists that are near, dear, or just plain cool. On each day of this week we are going to be posting a new artist. saying  a little bit about them, and why they are going to make this year’s AD Fest just that much more unmissable.

Los Angeles-based artist Emperor X has only twice visited Kalamazoo in three times as many years (ADFR will be his third time to the city), but with a passion for touring and physical musical media, the Already Dead Family seems a proper fit. The dedication for the original, creative, and representation of physical music is so intuitive, that with the latest Emperor X release Western Teleport (2011), 41 purple cassette tapes were hidden around  North America as part of a meta-game which would unlock extra MP3s. Only 15 of them have been found.

While founder Chad Matheny first came to Kalamazoo years ago with a full band behind him, Emperor X has since simplified into a solo set that has toured all over the United States– it was a show in Willimantic, CT with Forget The Times that initially introduced Matheny to Already Dead Tapes co-founder and festival starter Sean Hartman. While designs for a 4-way split featuring Emperor X on Already Dead Records were thought up, they have since been changed to a normal split twixt Dan Doyle and the Hermit Thrushes, Hartman has assured that “we’ll get something with him eventually.”

Though reduced to the company of himself, Emperor X‘s sound is not by any means meager. The one-man-show is rounded out with loop pedals, multiple microphones, and song lyrics pumped full of  science-savvy terminology, geek-culture references, and heart-throbbing angst that provide oodles of experimental-pop sound. Everything is as catchy as fish-hook strung through Ben Gibbard’s upper-lip, and as hauntingly vexing as a Sam Beam solo set.

Those that want to sneak a peak at Emperor X can check out his song “Erica Western Teleport” from Western Teleport below.  For a more intimate feel, listeners and viewers can witness him live at Louie’s Trophy House and Grill, this Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 11:15p.m.  as part of the Already Dead Family Reunion. Tickets $7 now,  $10 at the door, or $12 for the whole weekend.

Respect the Bar, Respect the Crowd, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself.