Songwriter and noise pop saboteur Emperor X traded his pursuit of a master's degree in physics for the life of an underground minstrel. For the past 10 years, C.R. Matheny has been traveling the country playing all ages shows and punk houses while self-releasing a string of albums that have quietly built him a devoted cult following. Has shared the stage with Sebadoh, Nada Surf, The Hold Steady and Jon Vanderslice (who dubs Emperor X "a serious genius").