Everything about The Music Tapes totally explained
The Music Tapes is an
indie pop/
experimental project of
Elephant Six member
Julian Koster, also of
Neutral Milk Hotel, and the earlier
Chocolate U.S.A.. Music Tapes releases are characterised by their unusual orchestration (the
singing saw and
banjo are matched with sounds recorded in Julian's environment, for example the sound of a bouncing ball as percussion), which produces an effect which is part
musique concrete, part
1960s pop. The band also includes such musical inventions as the 7-foot-tall metronome, Static the television, the Clapping Hands Machine, and many other creations.
History
Origins and the 1st Imaginary Symphony for Nomad
The Music Tapes started life as a creative outlet for the 16 year old Koster, who would create tapes of songs and stories, as means of escapism, which he'd share with his friends, culminating in 'The American Phoam Rubber Co. Symphony Orchestra Proudly Presents the 2nd Silly Putty Symphony for Edison Wax Cylinder', which was essentially tape collage. In
1989, Koster formed the band
Chocolate U.S.A., a more conventional
indie pop band, which also included
Bill Doss and Eric Harris, later (along with Koster, though somewhat unofficially) members of the
The Olivia Tremor Control. The band released two full albums,
All Jets Are Gonna Fall Today and
Smoke Machine, before splitting in
1994, after which Koster chose to focus his creative efforts on the Music Tapes once more.
To date, the Music Tapes have released one full album,
1st Imaginary Symphony For Nomad, a partial concept record, among its themes the power of television, and the death of 1950's actor
George Reeves, who played the hero
Superman, who Koster was entranced with as a child. The album took many years to assemble, being recorded in closets and cupboards, and mixing straightforward pop songs with collage and storytelling. Its release was followed by the "House Capsule Tour" in which Julian was joined by fellow Music Tapes
Robbie Cucchiaro and
Eric Harris.
The Music Tapes have also released three 7" records -
Please Hear Mr. Flight Control,
The Television Tells Us and a split 7" entitled
The Music Tapes and Dad, with
Dennis Koster
, Julian's father and renowned flamenco guitarist.
Future Projects
Music Tapes For Clouds and Tornadoes, is soon to be released on Merge Records (in August 2008). It contains 14 songs, one with a video by Music Tapes friend
Nesey Gallons.
Also coming soon is the
2nd Imaginary Symphony For Cloudmaking, a story album, consisting of the story of a boy named Nigh, who lives with his blind grandmother. The album also features instrumentation by Koster to back the spoken word recording by
Brian Dewan. It is yet to be mass released
(External Link) but has actually been finished and put through two
CD-R circulations and played on WNYC's Spinning on Air. Julian States: "An official release shall be arranged for, but it's not yet as, in truth, I've been too wrapped up in making new things." Another record is the as yet untitled 'singing saw symphony', complete with Julian's father, again on flamenco guitar, though this has yet to see the light of day, and is under slow progress. Lastly, though certainly not least, is a film project, for which Julian is working with director
John Cameron Mitchell, known for his film
Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The film is set to be an animation, with music by Koster, which is also about the boy named Nigh, although not many other details are known.
Discography
Albums
Singles
Please Hear Mr. Flight Control (Elephant Six; 7"; 1997)
The Television Tells Us (Elephant Six; 7"; 1998)
The Music Tapes and Dad (Given free with 'Stop Smiling Magazine' #8; 7"; 2000)
Compilation appearances
The band also submitted a version of "All Tomorrow's Parties" to the Victor compilation album, released in 2000Further Information
Get more info on 'The Music Tapes'.
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