Timeline

Collective Founded — Robert Schneider, Jeff Mangum, Will Cullen Hart, and Bill Doss form the Elephant 6 Recording Company in Ruston, Louisiana while attending Louisiana Tech University.

Athens Migration — Several E6 members begin relocating to Athens, Georgia, which becomes the collective's creative hub.

Early Releases — Neutral Milk Hotel releases the 'Everything Is' EP and Elf Power forms, marking the first wave of E6 recordings.

Fun Trick Noisemaker — The Apples in Stereo release 'Fun Trick Noisemaker'. Robert Schneider begins recording at what will become Pet Sounds Studio in Denver, Colorado.

Breakthrough Year — Neutral Milk Hotel releases 'On Avery Island' and The Olivia Tremor Control debuts with the double album 'Dusk at Cubist Castle'. The E6 sound reaches a wider audience.

Creative Peak — of Montreal, Elf Power, Beulah, and The Apples in Stereo all release albums. The collective's roster expands rapidly.

Aeroplane Over the Sea — Neutral Milk Hotel releases 'In the Aeroplane Over the Sea', which becomes one of the most acclaimed indie albums of all time. Jeff Mangum retreats from public life.

Golden Era — The Olivia Tremor Control releases 'Black Foliage', The Music Tapes debut, Dressy Bessy and Essex Green release albums. E6 is at its most prolific.

OTC Hiatus — The Olivia Tremor Control goes on hiatus. Will Cullen Hart begins working on Circulatory System.

New Directions — Major Organ and the Adding Machine supergroup project released. Circulatory System and The Sunshine Fix debut. of Montreal continues to evolve.

of Montreal's Rise — of Montreal releases 'Satanic Panic in the Attic', signaling Kevin Barnes's shift toward more experimental pop.

Hissing Fauna — of Montreal releases 'Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?', achieving critical and commercial success far beyond the E6 scene.

Farewell to Bill Doss — Bill Doss, co-founder of The Olivia Tremor Control and The Sunshine Fix, passes away on July 30 at age 43.

Neutral Milk Hotel Reunion — Neutral Milk Hotel reunites for live performances, touring extensively through 2014-2015 after Jeff Mangum's 15-year hiatus.

Enduring Legacy — 'In the Aeroplane Over the Sea' continues to be celebrated as a masterpiece. E6 bands like of Montreal and Elf Power remain active. The collective's influence on indie music endures.