Indianapolis music fans often complain that tours bypass our city in favor of the coasts. Robyn Hitchcock is coming to Indy for “precisely that reason.” “Plus,” he adds, “during the height of Bushmania, it was safer nearer water. Inland can get conservative. I’m a liberal, y’know! But I played in Lafayette, Ind., two years ago and had a great time, so thought maybe some of those folks would come along. Groove central!”

Hitchcock is on tour in support of his box set, I Wanna Go Backwards, which will be released this month. The collection includes expanded editions of the 1980s albums Black Snake Diamond Role, I Often Dream of Trains and Eye, with bonus tracks and updated liner notes.

Hitchcock has been working on the project for several months. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s good to be in print,” he says. The box set will also include a newly compiled two-disc collection of B-sides, outtakes and home recordings, many of which were previously unreleased. “There’s part two coming in May, and a U.K.-only collection from the 1990s … called Shadowcat,” Hitchcock says.

Hitchcock received his first guitar 40 years ago and wrote his first song in 1970. He’s been performing since the early 1970s, doing folk-club gigs in Great Britain. Well-known for his work with The Soft Boys (1977-1980), he also toured and recorded for years afterwards with his backing band, The Egyptians (1985-1993).
Sean Nelson will open the Music Mill concert and will sing harmony with Hitchcock during his set.
—Nora Spitznogle
EDITORS@NUVO.NET