Holiday Caroling from The Music Tapes

A News Blog for Friends of the Elephant 6 Recording Company

Holiday Caroling from The Music Tapes

Published Monday, December 18, 2006 by Jeff | E-mail this post

This morning we noticed the following missive nailed to our door, written in delicate, tiny handwriting and accompanied by shaky sketches of clouds, tornados, and reindeer. It appears to be from Julian Koster, the singing-saw maestro of The Music Tapes and Neutral Milk Hotel. Then we noticed another copy of the proclamation at the Elephant 6 Townhall Music Tapes forum. We have been asked to spread the word, so here it is, in its entirety:

Julian Koster’s SAW will be caroling holiday and new
years lullabies for doorsteps, with his gentle
encouragement… (a carol or two)

On the evening of WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 20th in any of
the near OUTLYING ISLANDS of Portland MAINE or
PORTLAND itself, one might lure the aforementioned
saw, by drawing a simple picture in the shape of an
animal and cutting it out. Attaching to it a string.
Writing on it’s back your address (and simple
directions).. Bringing it to Portland’s Eastern
Promenade path where one will find the Narrow Gauge
Railroad. Following then these tracks to a small group
of abandoned trains and there finding Another Boxcar
Full Of Cranberries. Upon this, beside the word OCEAN
in white pealing paint (and pealing red paint
backround), finding a horizontal metal bar, and tying
your animal to it by 4 o’clock on Wednesday. Beware of
the stationmaster! The Caroling will take place some
time between 6 and 9 in the evening,

On the evening of SATURDAY DECEMBER 23rd in BENNINGTON
VERMONT, or near outlying areas, one might lure the
aforementioned saw, by drawing a simple picture in the
shape of an animal and cutting it out. Attaching to it
a string. Writing on it’s back your address (and
simple directions). Bringing it to the big white
Church in Old Bennington, and tying it to the fence on
Monument avenue near the entrance to the graveyard By
4 o’clock on Saturday. The Caroling will take place
some time between 6 and 8 in the evening, and
therefore may require an otherwise pleasant evening at
home.

On Christmas Eve in CAMBRIDGE MASSACHUCETS or any
place QUITE NEAR to it, One might lure the
aforementioned saw, by drawing a simple picture in the
shape of an animal and cutting it out. Attaching to it
a string. Writing on it’s back your address (and
simple directions). Going to the Park on Mount Auburn
St. that is beside the Cambridge Skating Club with the
circular walkway that extends to the Friends meeting
place and Brattle Street. This park is located just a
few blocks away from the square in the direction of
Watertown. Entering the Park and tying it to the fence
that separates it from the Ice skating somewhere
closest to Mount Auburn Street by 6 on Christmas eve.
The Caroling will take place some time between 10:00
and 11:15 PM!

On the evenings of DECEMBER 26th and DECEMBER 29th
in the ISLAND OF MANHATTAN or IMMEDIATE vicinity
(within only a few subway stops out), one might lure
the aforementioned saw, by drawing a simple picture in
the shape of an animal and cutting it out. Attaching
to it a string. Writing on it’s back your address (and
simple directions), AND WHICH OF THE TWO DATES YOU
PREFER; and entering CENTRAL PARK at west 79th St,
following the entrance road in, and crossing over to
the other side of the Central Park Avenue. Finding
there in front of you a path leading to and around a
circle of ivey, foliage, and bushes and on to an
outcropping in the lake. Not entering but finding
BESIDE THE MOUTH OF THIS PATH (to the left), just off
of the avenue, a sign post with the name HERNSHEAD
upon it, and tying your animal to it. Do so by 4
o’clock one day prior to the date you’ve selected.
Caroling will take place some time between 6 and 9 in
the evening. If you do not live in the City but will
be visiting, write such on back of your animal and the
Carolers shall meet you at the HERNSHEAD signpost NEAR
6PM on the selected day.

ON ALL LISTED DATES:
Julian’s saw will accept (non compulsory) donations of
hot chocolate which he will drink on it’s behalf.

Thank you.