Multiple Elephants and a Song Writer

The fact that there are mythic figures in the realm of punk and indie music seems to fly in the face of whatever tenants those genres were founded upon. Of course musicians can’t perform and control the way in which their work is perceived. But I’m pretty sure that the cloud of mystery that now surrounds Jeff Mangum is a confusing thing to that gentleman.

It’s been more than ten years since a new Neutral Milk Hotel recording has been released. But since there were only two full lengths to begin with over a seven year period or so, it’s not too surprising.

What is just short of shocking is the language used to relate a bit of news relating to not only Mangum, but the original Elephant Six cadre. Those E6 bands have without question affected more than they should have – I’m sure the players would agree, or at least be surprised about the influence they’ve had on underground rock music in the past decade.

Of course a great many of the accolades distributed amongst those folks are deserved.

And perhaps none more deserving than Neutral Milk Hotel. But Mangum’s absence from not only the music scene, but life in general might be ending this year.

There’ve been a number of outlets that have recently spoken to, or gleaned information from Mangum. And it does in fact seem that there will be some sort of music springing forth from this man during 2009. What form that will take has of yet to be disseminated to the masses. But the folks at Aquarium Drunkard are preparing us.

They’ve recently posted a few solo, live tracks from Mangum which serve to remind us what we’ve all been missing. There’s an eleven minute interview with Mangum in which he states that he hasn’t slept in about 30 hours. While enduring a British interviewer before he jumps into a few songs that you’ll probably recognize, Mangum tries to explain, in concrete terms, what he never intended to state. But for being so sleep deprived he comes of sounding rather coherent, if not maybe a bit high.