'And Russia was a Candy - Store.'

Recently, I visited the Museum of Russian Art, a lovely church-turned museum in Minneapolis, to look at their Nesting-Doll Exhibit. Indeed those little lacquer dolls are interesting little things, and this exhibit (though not overwhelmingly big) was quite nice, ranging from tiny painted peasant women to world figures to even tinier painted aristocratic women. While there, I also saw some startlingly beautiful old-ish and new-ish portraits and landscapes by Russian artists, and on the middle and tallest level, respectively.

In loose relation, I want to also bring up another startling beauty I found in the the music of one Nesey Gallons. He popped up awhile ago now, over in Elephant Six-land, and I am really taken with his songs. He has out one LP officially--Eyes & Eyes & Eyes Ago (ignoring those home-released discs, although I hope to see them too, someday)-- and it is just wonderful. I recommend it to people. (Incidentally, I actually spotted Mr. Nesey at a show once, [he's cute, too] but I was too bashful to say anything.) Anyway, his circles are released by his record label called Hurrah for Karamazov ( Dostoyevsky is brilliant) and much of his work tangles back to Russian themes. You see, there IS a connection. At any rate, his music is just so chillingly nice, sung in a forlorn, soft-spoken wail, with his guitar and dear Julian's accompaniments of saw, chord organ, and countless things. All together, it makes a big stew of niceties to the ears. Indeed melancholy may seem the mood, but when I hear Nesey's music, I always feel happy and hopeful. He is sort of the new kid, but from what I have been fortunate enough to hear, he's as marvelous and seasoned as the rest of that wonderful old collective. That's quite a nice thing.

The Music Tapes present: Song for Planet Pluto

This rumour-song has finally surfaced over at the Townhall, much to our surprise and glee:


Hey thanks, Pitchfork!

A song for Pluto, that poor once-planet. The song is very pretty and very meaningful, and the cute video complements it perfectly. It's a sort of humorous melancholy little piece. But it works out in the end, so it's all right. Also, hello there, Kevin Barnes, I didn't know you were an astronomy enthusiast--it's nice seeing you again. Woo, Julian, I like your songs. Trum didi didi trum trum rum a dum.

The Music Tapes.

On February the 24th, I enjoyed myself thoroughly at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis watching the Music Tapes. Go see them. Do it. You won't regret it. I promise.
Of course, we can't forget that our beloved Brian Dewan and Nana Grizol were opening for Julian and friends.
So, I talked it up with a friendly kid who was into Elephant 6 a lot, like myself, and we waited and observed. Everyone was bouncing about the place, setting up, and there was a perpetual line for the toilet, but that's besides the point.
Brian Dewan began his wonderfully strange set on one of his swanky machines. He sang delightful songs of Charlie who lives at the hardware store, mechanical arms, and cadavers. And, a nice little cover of a rap tune about Pres. Obama. He manned the accordian and autoharp while slamming back a beer, and the wonderful Laura Carter played the melody box- thing on his final song.
I didn't know much about them beforehand, but I learned that night that Nana Grizol is cool. Some bands have that. They're just cool. Nana Grizol is cool. So, they played some energized songs for us, and Theo (handsome) told us a joke about a panda who went to a restaurant and "eats, shoots, and leaves." Oh ho, Theo, you're clever. Their set passed fairly quickly, and before I realized, they were leaving the stage.
We then watched a short colored film strip by Mr. Dewan called The Age of Innovation (I think). It was partly humorous, but also partly thought provoking. I think that Mr. Dewan is probably quite brilliant, wouldn't you agree?

And then, there were the Music Tapes. Julian and everyone were just... great. They played a bunch of Music Tapes songs new and old, and Julian told amusing anecdotes throughout. Static made his appearance during "a Ukrainian folk song that encourages singing televisions to sing," and our portly old Metronome kept some steady beats. Julian happily stummed his banjo and bowed his reliable saw, playing us music to make you happy. There was something euphoric about it all. His closed-eyes vocals were ethereal... and it put me in another world. Just brilliant.
After a while, Julian came down onto the floor and sat on a euphonium case, as we planted it around him. Like a campfire, almost. There, he coaxed his saw Badger to sing us The First Noel, and mentioned how Badger's grandparents were there that night. Then he told us about the game. Which I think I should keep secret, to preserve the mystery. But I will say that it involved fire and bells. Anyway, after the game Julian said that they were going to play "a song we don't know very well... called 'C'... oh no it's called 'C#.'" And so they played their 'C#' beautifully, ended the night with the epic song. Afterwards, I talked with Julian briefly, getting a photograph and hugging his sweaty frame good night. He's an absolutely amazing person, and honestly, this might have been my favorite show yet. Go to a Music Tapes concert sometime. It will change your life.

Jeff Mangum and Julian Koster-- 'Engine'

'Engine.'
Here it is. With the recent Elephant 6 Surprise Holiday Tour begun some week ago, it has become common knowledge amongst us Elephant 6 groupies that our hero Mr. Jeff Mangum of the late band Neutral Milk Hotel has been playing in these shows with his friends' bands. And all of us were euphoric to see him playing with his mates again. But we all had a thought in the back of our minds, well, will those crazy E6'rs do any NMH stuff? And here it is. A poor quality bootleg of Jeff and Julian performing 'Engine,' the beautiful B-side to NMH's single 'Holland 1945.' Jeff's crooning and Julian's haunting saw make me shiver. I can't even say how happy this makes me. I guess when you really look at it, I'm just a lame fangirl that got into this band too late, but I'm so ecstatic. Dreadfully, I'm not able to make it to any of the shows, but that's all right. Oh wow, Jeff Mangum and friends are out again. Holy Crap.
Anevengreatervideoofthissongfromyouaintnopicasso...Merci to E6Townhall and Pitchfork for following this so closely, and all the photos and videos. The photo is by Josh Modell and can be seen Here. Oh, and of course youaintnopicasso.com.