Nana Grizol @ The Cake Shop, NYC 11/8/09

We've been writing a lot about Nana Grizol lately, but deservedly so. I caught their set at the Cake Shop last Sunday and it reaffirmed my love for the Athen, GA indie pop collective tenfold. First off their sound expands like WHOA in the live context. The six band members practically spilled off the stage, while their two dueling drummers rev up the rhythm section for a rollicking, punk-ier effect. BUT how many punk bands have trumpet, euphonium and clarinet players, huh? Marching band instruments represent!

Oh and in addition to the music, they told some of the silliest (read: groan-worthily awesome!) jokes I've ever heard. My fave: How do you find Will Smith in the snow? Look for fresh prints! See they're comedians too! Ok, maybe Nana Grizol should stick with their day job.

Check out that set list:

And here's a song off their new album Ruth:
>Galaxies - Nana Grizol

P.S. - We spotted Jeff Mangum, aka Mr. Neutral Milk Hotel in the audience!

The post in which I wimp out on saying Hi to Jeff Mangum

Maybe you've already read my many fangirlish tweets about it, but yes I stood just inches away from Jeff Mangum, aka Mr. Neutral Milk Hotel last night. It was at the Cake Shop, an itty bitty NYC venue, decked out with Christmas lights and tinsel. Athens, GA-based band Nana Grizol was performing (truly an outstanding live act, by the way). Several of Nana's members were in Neutral Milk Hotel so it's probably no surprise Jeff was there supporting his former bandmate's new projects.

I recognized him right away. In fact he was wearing this very outfit, down to the lumberjack shirt and paperboy hat. Like he was in uniform, or perhaps in costume, like a superhero: I didn't say hi. I just gawked and starred. And yes I know he's human just like everybody else and not some mythical creature, but a part of me was just so in awe to witness the corporeal flesh of a dude who crafted one of the finest life-affirming albums to quote Kanye, "OF ALL TIME". I feel bad for making my star-struck-ness so apparent. But I didn't say hi, though I saw a few people hug him (I figured they were just old friends or acquaintances). I restrained myself from screaming "Jesus Christ, I love you", which was not very hard given my acute shyness. But just thought I'd pass along word that he does very much exist and I'm glad I caught a glimpse of such humanity.

And some songs to celebrate:
Circle of Friends - Neutral Milk Hotel
Love You More Than Life - Neutral Milk Hotel

VK chats with Nana Grizol

We're counting down the days until January 12th. That's when indie-pop darlings Nana Grizol release their second album Ruth. We recently chatted with lead singer Theo Hilton to get the scoop.

Here's what we learned: Ruth isn't a person, but a concept. As Theo explains, Ruth is "defined as sympathy for the misery of others". Sonically, the band remains the eclectic pop arrangements that made so unique in the first place (think: euphonium, sousaphone and bugle) but there's also a new dynamic at play "It's moodier lot quieter and a lot louder". While the band's debut Love It! Love It was almost entirely comprised of songs Hilton wrote himself, "the writing on Ruth is very much a group effort".
Ruth cover photo taken on the Brooklyn Bridge

This newfound collective approach makes sense, as over the past two years the group has cohered in a more defined way than ever before. However, while Nana Grizol is as cohesive as it's ever been, the music scene down in the band's hometown and indie-pop Mecca Athens, GA is as open and scattered as ever. "There's this impression that that Elephant 6 is an organized thing", says Theo. "It's just great people wanting to make and share music. I really think making something is my favorite way to hang out. I think that goes on everywhere." Of course it's incredibly awesome when two of those people making and sharing music include Laura Carter and Robbie Cucchiaro the brass section of Neutral Milk Hotel!

As for the Theo's raw and freewheeling approach as a singer and songwriter: "I'm very wordy when I write songs I think playing and singing is my favorite way to release energy. The most important thing is to cut loose and go wild."

We agree!

Check 'em out on Orange Twin Records

And enjoy a sneak peak listen:
For Things That Haven't Come Yet - Nana Grizol

AND catch them on tour (a little birdie tells us albums will be for sale early at the live shows)

Upcoming Tour Dates:
10/23 - Athens, Ga. @ Go Bar w/ Emily Armond
11/4 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Night Light w/ Organos
11/5 - St. Mary's City, Md. @ St. Mary's College
11/6 - Washington, DC @ still sorting a venue
11/7 - Purchase, NY @ SUNY Purchase
11/8 - New York, NY @ Cakeshop
11/9 - Hamden, Ct. @ The Space
11/10 - Portland, Maine @ Apohadion
11/11 - Brattleboro, VT @ TBA
11/13 - Toronto, Ontario @ The Dakota
11/14 - Geneseo, NY @ Barn Show
11/15 - Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Garfield Artworks
11/17 - Chicago, Ill. @ Empty Bottle
11/18 - Madison, Wisc. @ House show
11/19 - Mineapolis, Minn. @ Medusa
12/3 - Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge w/ Madeline, HAM1

Best Elephant 6-related band you're still not listening to

"For Things That Haven't Come Yet" might just be the best Nana Grizol song yet. The preview single from the band's upcoming album Ruth has just about everything I love in a pop song. There's the everything-AND-the-kitchen-sink instrumentation. Read: baritone euphonium, clarinet, harmonica, recorder and most prominently, the blaring horns played by members of the holy grail of indie pop NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL.

Not to mention the killer opening lyrics "I saw the best minds of my generation passed out in their prime" and off course the off-kilter vocal. I mean we're a blog named after Mountain Goat lyrics, we're practically obligated to love singers who can't sing, and thus sing beautifully. The only bad news is that we have to wait until January for the new album.

In the meantime let us reminder you how ovary-weeping adorable their last album cover was:
TOO. MUCH. ADORABLE.

For Things That Haven't Come Yet - Nana Grizol

Like the title says: Love it! Love it!

This is totally a case of an album cover doing me in. I love how the cats and bats are totally rocking out. And those are some killer pink boots on that dinosaur.

I was hoping the music would be just as awesome as the cartoon animals. Luckily it is! Nana Grizol is band from the indie-pop heaven that is Athens, Georgia. Many members belonged to several Elephant 6 bands including Elf Power and Olivia Tremor Control, so that alone should spike your attention. Seriously I can't recommend this album enough. If you remotely enjoy lo-fi, twee melodies, with adorable brass accents and off-kilter vocals you will LOVE this stuff. Download these songs now. The cats with the trumpets implore you. Just as the title says: Love it Love it!

Everything you Ever Hoped and Worked For- Nana Grizol
Voices Echo Down the Hall - Nana Grizol