We’ve checked in with Music Tapes a few times this year, and before that got all sincere over In The Aeroplane‘s 10th birthday, but things have been fairly quiet on the Jeff Mangum front in ’08. (Though the Neutral Milk Hotel founder did get married in January.) So we were surprised to get so many e-mails about him this morning! Jeff made his first onstage NYC appearance in years at last night’s Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour (“a large gathering of Elephant 6 members playing the music of The Music Tapes, Circulatory System, Scott Spillane, Gerbils, Elf Power, Olivia Tremor Control, Nana Grizol, Nesey Gallons…”) Here’s reader Cait telling us about it, along with some video:
Jeff Mangum walked onstage 3 times last night at the amazing Elephant 6 collective show — first just for the chorus of a song, about halfway through, then again for just a chorus, and finally at the last song (“The Opera House” by Olivia Tremor Control, before the encores) when he went NUTS and sang for the whole song. He was jumping around and sort of tackled Scott Spillane halfway through and put him in a headlock. He had the most intense look in his eyes the whole time he was on stage. Everyone chanted “Jeff Jeff Jeff”, and someone was yelling for songs from Aeroplane (“anything from that album!!! you have to!!”) but all we got from that album was Julian Koster and Scott Spillane doing a stripped-down, unpracticed version of The Fool, “dedicated to a friend”, which Julian said they hadn’t practiced in years. I’m sure you’ll get more emails about it — it was incredible.
Thankfully another email that came was from reader Brian H. who “shot some grainy, shaky video. Enjoy!” You’ll find Mr. Mangum start singing at 2:06 here on “The Arrow Flies Close,” and you will probably get goosepimples.
And on the right all through “The Opera House,” going nuts as advertised:
He steps out late into this “I Have Been Floated.” You can wait until around 2:35, or you can wait until you hear everyone start screaming out of nowhere.
Good to see you, Jeff.
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This brings much joy to my old heart.
I wish there was an emoticon to display the degree of omg that I’m feeling…
Please, please, please appear in Boston tonight!!!
seriously, this takes me back to summer ’05 when Olivia Tremor Control played the Bowery Ballroom, and Mangum sang on “I Have Been Floated” and “Shaving Spiders” (i think he really likes to tackle people because he tackled John Fernandez during the latter song at that show). Watching these videos did, indeed, make the hairs on the back on my neck stand up. Thanks for making my sunday a bit more interesting.
I was there. It was great when “I Have Been Floated” started because everyone was anticipating Jeff to come out (his voice owns that song) and then he finally did. It was really amazing.
To the guy who sent in the email you posted – wtf? “We ONLY” got to hear “The Fool”??? Are you kidding? That was one of the greatest moments of my life. It was the first and so far only time NMH has performed a song live since Jeff’s last show in 2001. It was incredible. Scott was very emotional and he and Julian were doing their best. It felt like all of the E6 people are trying to ease Jeff back onto the stage and Jeff was grateful.
By the third time Jeff came out however, I have to say, it felt a little weird that every little gesture or appearance Jeff makes is so eagerly anticipated and scrutinized. If I were him I’d be really annoyed that there is so much pressure on me to just do basic human things. At the same time he did not seem resentful or anything at all.. It would just be nice if at some point in the future it wouldn’t be a huge deal for the guy to just make a public appearance.
Anyway best night of my life and not just because of Mangum. The rest of the show was an unbelievable almost fantasy world of great music.
You mention that that kind of attention would annoy you– Keep in mind Mangum had a complete nervous breakdown because of that attention.
just to clarify, the fool was definitely amazing — i think a lot of people were maybe expecting an NMH song with jeff, so that was the reason for the “only”. this entire night was just mind blowing
I can’t even believe that I won’t be going to this show in Boston.
It’s great to see that Jeff is back, though. I didn’t even believe this when I saw it.
This is probably the best thing to happen in Mangum-related news in a while, but when I saw “Jeff Mangum Performs in NYC”, my expectations were set way too high.
although i’m not sure the man owns a computer (with internet access, anyway), jeff, if you’re reading this, and love commas, it would be quite rad of you to show up at the connecticut show. just sayin’
It’s really telling that a simple stage appearance by this guy makes headlines. NMH really is the most influential band of the 90′s.
Hell, Pitchfork even posted an article on a SUNDAY!
I am so jealous. We never get any Elephant Six here in California.
your definition of “performing” is a little loose I guess… he sang back up on a few songs… its great to see him involved but “Jeff Mangum performs in NYC” is a bit misleading if you ask me
Holy crap! This is even more exciting than the time Jeff made an appearance on Highway 78, just west of Athens, performing in his car by singing along with a Sinead O’Connor CD that played through his car stereo!!!
It makes me sad that I’ll probably only ever see Jeff at some big, E6-affiliated show in New York. Maybe he’ll come hang out in North Carolina on his way to Athens some time. It could happen.
I will definitely not miss a single E6 related performance at CMJ. I think Jeff has been based in NY for a little bit now? I doubt he is touring with any of these bands. Last time he made a cameo was also at a NY venue, if I recall a few years back.
Why doesn’t E6 come back down to Jeff’s and Will’s and Robert’s and Bill’s home state and play a show in New Orleans? I’ve found myself seriously contemplating skipping two days of class to hightail it to Kentucky…
also, just noticed that “the arrow flies close” has these lyrics:
I hope Jeff will sing me a song
And everyone else will play
too perfect!
If Jeff Mangum in in Connecticut, i think i will be the happiest i have ever been, even just to see him, happy and on stage, something, not that the show isn’t going to be spectacular, i just need something like a Jeff Mangum apperarnce lately.
This rivals witnessing Nessie or Bigfoot. Make that Nessie & Bigfoot – at Hill’s Department store. In 1980.
he still has the same haircut has he di in 98. impressive? sad? impressively sad? sadly impressive?
When will there be an NMH reunion??!! And a new album?!
If Aeroplane is Mangum’s Pet Sounds”, let’s hope that if there ever is a new NMH album that it’ll be Mangum’s “SMiLE” and not his “15 Big Ones”!!
Jeff and Julian played “Engine” in Columbus. the audience was completely silent. high audio quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnsR2bMj_c8