Jeff Mangum

Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise @ Knitting Factory

March 25, 2011 By Mark Leave a Comment

It was a nostalgic trip into the depths of our indie fandom on Monday night, as the Athens-based heroes from the Elephant 6 collective treated a sold out crowd at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory to the best of their eclectic discography. It was the first of three sold out shows in NYC. The night was highlighted by some of the stronger tracks in the Elephant 6 vault. Elite players from The Olivia Tremor Control (Will Cullen Hart & Bill Doss) and Elf Power (Andrew Rieger) often overshadowed the rest of the collective.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter, as the lesser known projects were front and center just as much as the established. Neutral Milk Hotel alums, Scott Spillane (The Gerbils) and Julian Koster (The Music Tapes), were given ample stage time for their offbeat, experimental projects. There was a sense of complete democracy among the players, which is part of the appeal of the group of indie veterans. The night was interestingly complimented by odd, seemingly acid-induced storytelling from Koster and a giant snowman stage left. During a trip outside to make a phone call, I rubbed shoulders with Jeff Mangum. Yes, he was there but did not play. I suppose we’ll be able to wait until his Fall tour, which include four NJ dates!

[photos via Eardrum NYC]

UPDATE: nyctaper has posted an excellent quality recording of the entire show here.

Filed Under: Featured, Shows Tagged With: brooklyn, elephant 6, gerbils, Jeff Mangum, neutral milk hotel, the music tapes, the olivia tremor control

Fishpork’s 10 Favorite Shows of 2010

December 22, 2010 By Fishpork Leave a Comment

2010 will be remembered as the year we saw Jeff Mangum play five songs. It’s hard to compare that experience even in a year that was loaded with unforgettable performances. Deerhunter solidified themselves as Fishpork elite, Arcade Fire showed why some consider them the best band on the planet, and James Murphy all but burned down NYC. Here’s is our very biased list of our favorite shows of 2010:

1. Jeff Mangum @ Le Poisson Rouge

2. Deerhunter @ Starlight Ballroom

3. Jonsi @ Terminal 5

4. LCD Soundsystem @ Terminal 5

5. Arcade Fire/Spoon @ The Mann Center

6. Tobacco @ First Unitarian Church

7. Atoms For Peace @ Roseland Ballroom

8. Owen Pallett @ Bowery Ballroom

9. Modest Mouse @ Williamsburg Waterfront

10. Faith No More @ Williamsburg Waterfront

Filed Under: Lists Tagged With: arcade fire, atoms for peace, deerhunter, faith no more, Jeff Mangum, jonsi, lcd soundsystem, modest mouse, Owen Pallett, tobacco

MP3: “Stranger In The Window” by Elf Power

June 11, 2010 By Mark Leave a Comment

Elf Power follow up 2008′s In A Cave, one of my favorite albums in recent memory, with their tenth (and self-titled) album. Their Dark Developments collaboration with recently deceased Vic Chestnutt has obvious influences here. A new Orange Twin release always holds out hope for a Jeff Mangum contribution as well. The album is due in September. You can download “Stranger In the Window” by Elf Power here or stream it below:

Filed Under: Indie, MP3s Tagged With: elf power, Jeff Mangum, Orange Twin, vic chestnutt

Jeff Mangum To Play Benefit Show In NYC!

March 26, 2010 By Mark Leave a Comment

I was originally not going to post this in a selfish attempt to preserve as many tickets for the sale date as possible. I can only assume this May 6th Chris Knox benefit show at Le Poisson Rouge will sell out with the news that Jeff Mangum is making an unheard of appearance. The word is that Mangum will play a short acoustic set. Many of us have conceded that we would continue on with our lives never being able to see Jeff perform live, as the not-even-40-year-old indie rock icon remained a recluse. I guess the only question left to ask is: how much will I pay to see my all-time favorite musician for the first (and probably the last) time ever? Tix go on sale March 30 at Kickstarter.com. [Image courtesy of Hugh Twyman]

UPDATE (03.30.10): The show sold out in 20 minutes. Fishpork will be there!

Filed Under: Indie, News Tagged With: chris knox, Jeff Mangum

Video: More Unreleased Jeff Mangum

December 11, 2009 By Peter Leave a Comment

As the week started with the digital release of a new Jeff Mangum track on the Chris Knox tribute record, why not end the week with more unreleased video of Jeff playing in April 1998. This time he treats the audience to one of my favorite bootleg tracks “Sailing Through” from the cassette tape dubbed Beauty that is still available on most of the bittorrent sites that are still up and running.

Like the other videos that have been popping up, Jeff hold back no emotion on this live version of “Sailing Though” that then goes directly into “Two-Headed Boy Part 2″ in this 9+ minutes of musical ecstasy. This might be one of the only videos of him performing rarely-played song at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, CA. Thanks goes out to defgav for the post. Its been a good week.

Filed Under: Indie, News Tagged With: Jeff Mangum, Netrual Milk Hotel, Sailing Through, Two-Headed Boy Part 2

New Jeff Mangum on Tribute Compilation!

December 8, 2009 By Mark 1 Comment

A few months ago it was announced that Neutral Milk Hotel mastermind and current recluse Jeff Mangum would perform a cover song for the upcoming CD for recent stroke victim, Chris Knox. Knox is known for bringing the punk and alternative music scenes to New Zealand. The compilation is a double-CD release, and Mangum is featured on disc 2. Stroke: Songs For Chris Knox will be released in various formats on February 23.

The even better news is that you can hear a 30-second clip of the song here!

Filed Under: Indie, News Tagged With: chris knox, Jeff Mangum

MP3: “Round Again (featuring Jeff Mangum)” by Circulatory System

September 3, 2009 By Mark Leave a Comment

mangum The Earth stops spinning when news of new music by Jeff Mangum hits the indie music blogosphere. As promised by Circulatory System frontman Will Cullen Hart, their new album features contributions from the Neutral Milk Hotel mastermind. He plays drums on this. No, we don’t get to hear his voice, but this does hint that he’s putting his reclusive past behind him and digging in with his creative heals. And let me say that the new track is repeat-worthy. You can download “Round Again (featuring Jeff Mangum)” by Circulatory System here or stream it below:

Did you know you can stream Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, in its entirely, on LaLa?

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea …

Filed Under: Indie, MP3s, News Tagged With: Circulatory System, Jeff Mangum, neutral milk hotel

Fishpork’s Ten Favorite Shows of 2008

December 15, 2008 By Fishpork Leave a Comment

As a collective, Fishpork attended 15 live shows this year (and there are still two more: Of Montreal tomorrow and Crystal Castles on New Year’s Eve, both at the Music Hall of Williamsburg). Unfortunately, a band does not have complete control over how well received their live performance can be. This was the case with all bands that played in our least favorite venue of 2008: The Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Although Animal Collective managed to overcome the venue’s sound limitations the best, others were not so lucky (The Mars Volta, TV on the Radio, Of Montreal). Unless Jeff Mangum announces a show here, Fishpork will avoid it at all costs in 2009. Highlights of the year included an intoxicating performance by Deerhunter, a sweaty dance party curated by Girl Talk, and a 3am secret show by Modest Mouse. These were our favorite shows of 2008:

Deerhunter @ The Music Hall of Wiiliamsburg
Girl Talk @ Starlight Ballroom
Enon @ Hiro Ballroom
Modest Mouse @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Built to Spill @ Terminal 5
Animal Collective @ Electric Factory
Nine Inch Nails @ Wachovia Center
Radiohead @ APW Festival
Saul Williams @ The Trocadero
Battles @ Johnny Brendas

Honorable Mention:

Holy Fuck @ Johnny Brendas
Crystal Castles @ Webster Hall
Health @ House of Blues
TV on the Radio @ Electric Factory
Of Montreal @ Electric Factory

Least Favorite Show of 2008

The Mars Volta @ Electric Factory

Favorite Live Venue of 2008

Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA

Least Favorite Venue of 2008

Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

Filed Under: Featured, Lists, News Tagged With: animal collective, APW festival, battles, brooklyn, Built To Spill, crystal castles, deerhunter, enon, girl talk, HEALTH, holy fuck, house of blues, Jeff Mangum, johnny brenda's, modest mouse, nine inch nails, philadelphia, radiohead, saul williams, starlight ballroom, Terminal 5, the electric factory, the mars volta, the music hall of williamsburg, the trocadero, the wachovia center, webster hall

Of Montreal @ The Electric Factory

November 4, 2008 By Mark Leave a Comment

Most indie rock fans and critics agree on one thing: Kevin Barnes has lost his fucking mind. He has transformed himself into the lovechild of David Bowie and Prince. The problem is that some embrace the path he has chosen to move in (heavy on the dance and soul with stage persona Georgie Fruit, a black transvestite), while others long for the days of Cherry Peel (acoustic, lo-fi diddies). Although I appreciate both phases of Barnes musical career, I must admit the new Barnes has made a much bigger fan out of me. And, for the record, I do think he’s more talented than both Bowie and Prince. I love Bowie, but his most recent solo tour is marred at the bottom of my list (and my list is long) as painfully boring. Of Montreal is currently on tour supporting their dance-heavy, sex-oriented ninth studio album, Skeletal Lamping. I was lucky enough to score tickets for the Electric Factory in Philly on Halloween!

Several web sites have posted pictures of shows from this tour. And the extravagant stage production really peaked my interest. There was no excuse for a live show performed by the band of one of our favorite albums of the year to come and go without our attention. For the most part, the excitement of Skeletal Lamping transferred well to the stage. However, the sound at the Electric Factory is as bad as it gets and has been almost inaudible during many shows I’ve attended there. This night was no different. The opening band, Gang Gang Dance was mixed as poorly as I’ve ever heard. From what I did hear, I enjoyed their tribal dance arrangements. I did feel bad for singer Liz Bougatsos who’s experimental chanting vocals were completely drowned out by the venue.

Of Montreal took the stage about 30-45 minutes after Gang Gang Dance’s set. The crowd responded well to the dimming lights, as the band members took the stage wearing superman costumes. Barnes was the last to enter, as he was escorted onto stage Egyptian style, within a small carriage covered by curtains and lifted by several of his “slaves.” To the crowd’s surprise (and delight) Barnes crawled out also dressed in Superman attire, although his suit contained (fake) muscles. Even before he exited his royal carriage, the opening howls of the band’s latest single, “Id Engager,” could be heard. The crowd immediately recognized the track, and all hell broke loose.

The show, much like Skeletal Lamping, headed right into schizophrenia. Barnes’ latest compositions are rather disjointed, with many comparing the structure to that of a Girl Talk record. You never know when one song ends, and the next begins. This works better on an album than it does live. The band’s style has changed between albums before, but nothing as dramatic when comparing the last three releases to earlier albums in the discography. The transformation is so startling, that it’s hard to believe Barnes and company are still technically part of Jeff Mangum’s Elephant 6 Collective. Highlights of the show included Barnes sitting on a throne with sultry nuns at his feet, walking around as a minotaur (half-man/half-bull), and appearing almost nude with his “dick in a box.” Barnes ended a night at the circus with his rendition of Nirvana’s immortalized “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The ending seemed a little out of place, but the crowd appreciated the homage.

Setlist:

intro
Id Engager
So Begins Our Alabee
Triphallus, to Punctuate!
She’s A RejecterFor
Our Elegant Caste
Touched Something’s Hollow
An Eluardian Instance
Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
Gallery Piece
Wraith Pinned To The Mist (And Other Games)
Women’s Studies Victims
St. Exquisite’s Confessions
Superman
Nonpareil Of Favor
October Is Eternal
Wicked Wisdom
Disconnect The Dots
And I’ve Seen A Bloody Shadow
Plastis Wafers
Beware Our Nubile Miscreants
Mingusings
“Lavender Dick Rub”
A Sentence Of Sorts In Kongsvingerencore

ENCORE:

Day ManGronlandic Edit
Oslo In The Summertime
Smells Like Teen Spirit

The entire show is available in high-quality FLAC format here.

Filed Under: Shows Tagged With: david bowie, electric factory, elephant 6 collective, gang gang dance, georgie fruit, girl talk, Jeff Mangum, kevin barnes, nirvana, of montreal, philadelphia, prince

Update: Jeff Mangum Plays Neutral Milk Hotel!

October 16, 2008 By Mark Leave a Comment

No, Neutral Milk Hotel did not get together for a reunion tour. The news is not that promising. However, Jeff Mangum did muster up the courage to join his Elephant 6 collective on stage at a show at the Knitting Factory in NYC. The concert was part of the Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour. Mangum was on stage for Olivia Tremor Control’s “The Opera House” and “I Have Been Floated,” and Elf Power’s “The Arrow Flies Close.” Unfortunately for fans, Jeff did not play any NMH tracks, but former NMH bandmate, Scott Spillane played “The Fool” from Neutral Milk Hotel’s masterpiece In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. the rare appearance from the Indie rock recluse keeps hopes alive that we may one day see new material. Ex-NMH multiinstrumentalist Julian Koster recently told Billboard Magazine about Jeff’s immediate intentions:

Jeff told me he wants to make it to the Chicago show and maybe the Kentucky show, so we’ll see. I know he hasn’t played out much in the past few years, but he seemed very excited about this tour when I talked to him.

Jeff Mangum hasn’t played material from Neutral Milk Hotel since his last show in New Zealand on February 4, 2001. Here is a clip from Jeff’s surprise appearance at the Knitting Factory on October 11:

UPDATE:

It has actually happened. Just days after his surprise appearance at the Knitting Factory in New York, Jeff Mangum played a Neutral Milk Hotel track at back-to-back shows in Pittsburgh and Columbus. Julian Koster played the singing saw as Jeff strummed the deeply moving chords of Holland, 1945 B-side, Engine. Mangum may still be a little distraught over playing NMH material, as they remained in the crowd to play the song instead of performing on stage. This performance created one of the more memorable moments in recent memory. Jeff’s voice sounded better than ever. The lighting in the videos was absolutely terrible due to Jeff being in the crowd while playing. However, the sound quality is as good as it gets for this type of event. The flashing cameras gives short glimpses of Mangum, who has become a messiah-like figure in Indie rock since his mental breakdown and reclusive behavior. One can only hope that the road to recovery has brought him to a point where playing live will be a more frequent occurence. Maybe future recordings and touring is a possibility. Here is the video from the Ohio performance:

Another update (October 23, 2008) – Jeff played Engine in Chicago. This marks the third straight show that Jeff has played the NMH track!

Filed Under: Indie, News Tagged With: elf power, Jeff Mangum, knitting factory, neutral milk hotel, nyc, olivia tremor control