Last week, we wrote a li'l report about Jeff Mangum possibly joining the E6 Holiday Surprise Tour for a couple shows (TMT News). Well, the possibility turned into reality earlier than expected at last night's Knitting Factory gig in New York, as Jeff Mangum unexpectedly hopped on stage and performed three songs -- "The Arrow Flies Close" by Elf Power and both "The Opera House" and "I Have Been Floated" by Olivia Tremor Control.
Not sure if I should be surprised or not, but there are already a couple YouTube videos documenting the show:
- "The Arrow Flies Close" by Elf Power:
- "The Opera House" by Olivia Tremor Control (watch as Mangum and Scott Spillane engage in some friendly shoving!):
Here's a late-night e-mail from TMT writer/editor Judy Berman (who was exhausted, sore-footed, and who "had a drink or two") detailing what happened:
Thought you'd want to know that I was at the Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Tour tonight at the Knitting Factory... and Jeff Mangum was there. He came on stage and sang on part of Olivia Tremor Control's "I Have Been Floated" and Elf Power's "The Arrow Flies Close," as well as the entirety of Olivia Tremor Control's "The Opera House" with the whole E6 crew at the end of the night. It seemed like he was making a truly heroic effort just to get out there -- he looked anxious, uncertain, and gleeful at the same time. During "The Opera House," he was roughhousing with Scott Spillane. I think he was loosening up. Spillane and Julian Koster even played "The Fool" from Aeroplane (which is, of course, instrumental) and dedicated it to "a friend." What was really unnerving was that both of them were staring offstage as they were playing it, as though they thought it was possible Mangum would be inspired to come on and do some NMH songs. He didn't, but for a second it seemed possible. Also, some douchebag was screaming "Two-Headed Boy" and "King of Carrot Flowers"-- probably the quickest way to dash any chance of those songs actually being performed. I wasn't disappointed, though. I'm grateful that Mangum is trying so hard to come back, and I wouldn't want him to push himself to do something he isn't ready to do.Anyway, it was an awesome night. Besides the Jeff Mangum parts, they screened the Major Organ movie, which was fantastic, Koster was a gracious and exuberant host, and it was mostly just a treat to see people who enjoyed making music together so much. There is a lot of love in the E6 universe, and it was nice to spend a night submerged in it.
The pressure on Mangum must be tremendous. It's cool to show our excitement and exhibit friendly encouragement, but hopefully we can refrain from getting too carried away and demanding he perform the entirety of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
Remaining dates:
