Julian Koster - The Singing Saw at Christmastime (2008)
How do Singing Saws celebrate the holidays? What do their carols sound like?
Singing Saws sing all by themselves. The idea that a human being could play one, as one might a cello or a tuba, is a common misconception perpetuated by the saws themselves for their own amusement.
Julian Koster (The Music Tapes, Neutral Milk Hotel) is a longtime friend of the singing saws, and he, along with friend and co-encourager Nesey Gallons, was allowed to visit the singing saws at Christmastime and participate in their traditions. The result is a new holiday classic! Join The Singing Saw Orchestra as they unite saws both young and old in an enchanting celebration of traditional human Christmas songs.
How do Singing Saws celebrate the holidays? What do their carols sound like?
Singing Saws sing all by themselves. The idea that a human being could play one, as one might a cello or a tuba, is a common misconception perpetuated by the saws themselves for their own amusement.
Julian Koster (The Music Tapes, Neutral Milk Hotel) is a longtime friend of the singing saws, and he, along with friend and co-encourager Nesey Gallons, was allowed to visit the singing saws at Christmastime and participate in their traditions. The result is a new holiday classic! Join The Singing Saw Orchestra as they unite saws both young and old in an enchanting celebration of traditional human Christmas songs.
12/20/11
Julian Koster created The Singing Saw at Christmastime in 2008 to share the carols of the Singing Saw with us, and this year NPR Music has invited Julian to their Tiny Desk for a special presentation. Watch the set at NPR Music now.
Bob Boilen writes:Order The Singing Saw at Christmastime on CD, LP or digital download in the Merge Holiday store now. Orders over $50 save 10% through the end of December.
Somewhere inside the body of Julian Koster — the Elephant 6 and Neutral Milk Hotel alumnus who once released an entire album of Christmas songs performed on a singing saw — lives a 13-year-old boy filled with wonder, imagination and a talent for spinning a good, quirky tale. Just in time for the holidays, and with the season in mind, Koster and his friends brought those wide-eyed songs and earnest spirit to the NPR Music offices for a joyful and strange Tiny Desk Concert performance.
Collectively known as The Music Tapes, they mixed bowed banjos and singing saws with tape machines, a chord organ and a crooning snowman to create a psychedelic holiday music pageant. Whether it’s the traditional “The First Noel” (scored here for two musical saws) or a reworking of Gavin Bryars’ avant garde piece “Jesus Blood,” or even their venture into Santa songs, there’s no one else playing holiday music quite like this. That is, unless you’re a band of 13-year-olds with very vivid imaginations.
11/29/11
Since the release of the 2008 instant holiday classic The Singing Saw at Christmastime, Julian Koster and his singing saws have toured the country spreading holiday cheer to the over 450 homes to which they had been invited. We now have this year’s list of cities and proposed dates which begin tomorrow so get your invitations in now!
Several houses a night will be visited in each city. Houses welcoming outside guests in each area will be listed via email auto-reply two nights prior to the Music Tapes arrival. Write musictapescaroling2011@gmail.com to receive open house list or to make a last minute caroling invitation. Routes are only projected and may change so check often!
The Singing Saw at Christmastime is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge Holiday store.
2011 Holiday Caroling tour:
NOV 30 Virginia
DEC 1 Raleigh/Chapel Hill, NC area
DEC 2 Charlotte, NC area
DEC 3 Athens, GA
DEC 4 Raleigh/Chapel Hill, NC area
DEC 5 NE Virginia/Washington DC area
DEC 6 Washington, DC
DEC 7 Eastern PA/Philadelphia, PA
Dec 8 Philadelphia/NYC
Dec 9 NYC
Dec 10 Upstate NY/Massachusetts
Dec 11 Rhode Island/Massachusetts/New England
Dec 12 Upstate NY/New England
Several houses a night will be visited in each city. Houses welcoming outside guests in each area will be listed via email auto-reply two nights prior to the Music Tapes arrival. Write musictapescaroling2011@gmail.com to receive open house list or to make a last minute caroling invitation. Routes are only projected and may change so check often!
The Singing Saw at Christmastime is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge Holiday store.
2011 Holiday Caroling tour:
NOV 30 Virginia
DEC 1 Raleigh/Chapel Hill, NC area
DEC 2 Charlotte, NC area
DEC 3 Athens, GA
DEC 4 Raleigh/Chapel Hill, NC area
DEC 5 NE Virginia/Washington DC area
DEC 6 Washington, DC
DEC 7 Eastern PA/Philadelphia, PA
Dec 8 Philadelphia/NYC
Dec 9 NYC
Dec 10 Upstate NY/Massachusetts
Dec 11 Rhode Island/Massachusetts/New England
Dec 12 Upstate NY/New England
11/21/11
Stream and download the new Merge 2011-2012 free Winter Sampler now.
We have put together a collection of songs from late 2011 and a few glimpses of what is to come in 2012. Available as a stream and a download, our winter sampler will help you catch up on releases you might have missed, and alert you to what you should be pre-ordering now. Our 2011 holiday store will launch tomorrow, so listen now and prepare to take advantage of all of the great deals we have designed for you this year!
Merge 2011-2012 Winter Sampler
Hospitality – “Betty Wang”
Richard Buckner – “Traitor”
Lambchop – “If Not I’ll Just Die”
Crooked Fingers – “Bad Blood”
Superchunk – “Driveway to Driveway”
The Mountain Goats – “Estate Sale Sign”
Eleanor Friedberger – “My Mistakes”
Imperial Teen – “Runaway”
Archers of Loaf – “Harnessed In Slums”
Wild Flag – “Romance”
Stephin Merritt – “Rot in the Sun”
The Rosebuds – “Go Ahead”
We have also included streams of songs from our two holiday albums: Julian Koster‘s The Singing Saw at Christmastime and She & Him‘s A Very She & Him Christmas.
Enjoy our new sampler and visit the Merge store for more from all of these artists!
We have put together a collection of songs from late 2011 and a few glimpses of what is to come in 2012. Available as a stream and a download, our winter sampler will help you catch up on releases you might have missed, and alert you to what you should be pre-ordering now. Our 2011 holiday store will launch tomorrow, so listen now and prepare to take advantage of all of the great deals we have designed for you this year!
Merge 2011-2012 Winter Sampler
Hospitality – “Betty Wang”
Richard Buckner – “Traitor”
Lambchop – “If Not I’ll Just Die”
Crooked Fingers – “Bad Blood”
Superchunk – “Driveway to Driveway”
The Mountain Goats – “Estate Sale Sign”
Eleanor Friedberger – “My Mistakes”
Imperial Teen – “Runaway”
Archers of Loaf – “Harnessed In Slums”
Wild Flag – “Romance”
Stephin Merritt – “Rot in the Sun”
The Rosebuds – “Go Ahead”
We have also included streams of songs from our two holiday albums: Julian Koster‘s The Singing Saw at Christmastime and She & Him‘s A Very She & Him Christmas.
Enjoy our new sampler and visit the Merge store for more from all of these artists!
11/09/11
Since the release of the 2008 instant holiday classic The Singing Saw at Christmastime, Julian Koster and his singing saws have toured the country spreading holiday cheer to the over 450 homes to which they had been invited. Today, he has announced the dates and proposed route of his 6th Caroling excursion. Julian and his ambassadors will accept invitations to carol at homes along the east coast of the US and Canada from November 28 to December 12.
Sharing his excitement that his caroling trips have now become a grand tradition, Julian said, “We’d surely like to thank everybody for the extraordinarily magical times and adventures, and wonderful welcomes, and to thank you all for making them happen! As well as our selfless volunteer Caroling Ambassadors!”
They will choose a path visiting as many of the places possible along the east coast of the US and Canada between November 28 and December 12 from which come the warmest invitations. The final list of dates and path of the Caroling will be announced just prior to the commencement of the tour.
For more information about sending an invitation to host an evening of carols, games, stories and other holiday magic, email musictapescaroling2011@gmail.com.
Along with this announcement of a new caroling tour, we also have a new video from the Music Tapes to share! Set to the song “Nantasket” from the recently released digital EP “Purim’s Shadows (The Dark Tours the World),” the video showcases the Paragon Carousel as well as Julian’s whimsical drawings and footage of people having fun which is what the Music Tapes is all about!
Click here to view the embedded video.
Julian Koster’s The Singing Saw at Christmastime is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store as well as the Music Tapes’ “Purim’s Shadows (The Dark Tours the World)” and the rest of the Music Tapes’ catalog.
Sharing his excitement that his caroling trips have now become a grand tradition, Julian said, “We’d surely like to thank everybody for the extraordinarily magical times and adventures, and wonderful welcomes, and to thank you all for making them happen! As well as our selfless volunteer Caroling Ambassadors!”
They will choose a path visiting as many of the places possible along the east coast of the US and Canada between November 28 and December 12 from which come the warmest invitations. The final list of dates and path of the Caroling will be announced just prior to the commencement of the tour.
For more information about sending an invitation to host an evening of carols, games, stories and other holiday magic, email musictapescaroling2011@gmail.com.
Along with this announcement of a new caroling tour, we also have a new video from the Music Tapes to share! Set to the song “Nantasket” from the recently released digital EP “Purim’s Shadows (The Dark Tours the World),” the video showcases the Paragon Carousel as well as Julian’s whimsical drawings and footage of people having fun which is what the Music Tapes is all about!
Click here to view the embedded video.
Julian Koster’s The Singing Saw at Christmastime is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store as well as the Music Tapes’ “Purim’s Shadows (The Dark Tours the World)” and the rest of the Music Tapes’ catalog.
08/29/11
The Music Tapes are currently opening for The Olivia Tremor Control! Don’t miss the live full-band Music Tapes experience!
Purim’s Shadows, the new digital EP from The Music Tapes, is available now in the Merge store and from all your favorite digital outlets. The kazoos have sold out in our store, but Julian will have some on tour with him. Stop by the merch table to pick one up!
The Music Tapes on tour:
All dates with The Olivia Tremor Control
Aug 31 Austin, TX – Mohawk
Sep 05 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Sep 08 Seattle, WA – The Vera Project
Sep 09 Portland, OR – MFNW – Someday Lounge
Sep 12 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Sep 13 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
Sep 14 Columbus, OH – Wexner Center for the Arts
Sep 15 Pittsburgh, PA – The Warhol at New Hazlett Theater
Sep 16 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
Sep 17 Montréal, QC – Il Motore
Sep 19 Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
Sep 21 New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
Sep 23 Philadelphia, PA – UPenn Rotunda (SPEC Jazz & Grooves’ Fall Concert)
Purim’s Shadows, the new digital EP from The Music Tapes, is available now in the Merge store and from all your favorite digital outlets. The kazoos have sold out in our store, but Julian will have some on tour with him. Stop by the merch table to pick one up!
The Music Tapes on tour:
All dates with The Olivia Tremor Control
Aug 31 Austin, TX – Mohawk
Sep 05 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Sep 08 Seattle, WA – The Vera Project
Sep 09 Portland, OR – MFNW – Someday Lounge
Sep 12 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Sep 13 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
Sep 14 Columbus, OH – Wexner Center for the Arts
Sep 15 Pittsburgh, PA – The Warhol at New Hazlett Theater
Sep 16 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
Sep 17 Montréal, QC – Il Motore
Sep 19 Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
Sep 21 New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
Sep 23 Philadelphia, PA – UPenn Rotunda (SPEC Jazz & Grooves’ Fall Concert)
06/14/11
Today, The Music Tapes’ new digital EP Purim’s Shadows is available in the Merge store and from all your favorite digital outlets. Also, exclusively in the Merge store, the Purim’s Shadows EP comes with a special limited-edition Music Tapes kazoo, a bonus track, and a special surprise from Julian Koster himself.
Julian shared some thoughts about Purim’s Shadows and The Music Tapes with us:
Purim’s Shadows is a very small entrance into a vast landscape that is both auditory and imaginary and from which will come two full-length albums that I’m very excited about. The first will be Mary’s Voice, which we are finishing up now and will comprise the first half of Imaginary Symphony No. 3.
The Music Tapes, to me, is a sort of living dream that illustrates the continual process of how dreams become real. For example, when the 7-Foot-Tall Metronome sprang from my imagination, it was to be The Music Tapes’ primary rhythm instrument, and although it existed only as a drawing in a notebook, imagining it delighted and inspired me. My friends (Scott Spillane, Terry Rowlette, Robbie Cucchiaro, Laura Carter, Eric Harris, and others) saw the drawing and, in a flurry of excited activity, made it real. And thus the real world became different: it had a 7-foot-tall metronome in it.
Many of the basic tenants of The Music Tapes’ world are found on Purim’s Shadows, including the 7-Foot-Tall Metronome which provides the primary rhythm for “A Lightning’s Cheeks.” Also featured are the Orchestral Banjo and the Singing Saws. The Orchestral Banjo is played with a violin bow, producing a sound that I love very much; it’s like having at your command ghostly orchestras from crackly old records. And Saws, of course, sound to me like angels. This recording marks the first time a Singing Saw solo was encouraged (played) by someone other than me on a Music Tapes record: the solo at the end of “Night and Day” is the work of Ian Ludders, a great encourager of Saws, and I am honored to have had him play with us. Robbie Cucchiaro, The Music Tapes’ co-founding member, supplied horns and his signature euphonium. And finally, the most important contributors to this recording, and central to The Music Tapes’ sound, are the Webster Chicago wire recorder, RCA DX44 ribbon mic, and The Music Tapes’ array of antique and modern recording machinery and field recorders.
Without state-of-the-art machinery, The Music Tapes’ recordings would be next to impossible. But, of course, the past is where the future comes from. What often makes something new is not a loyal adherence to the trends and technologies of the moment but rather a loving interaction with the rich inheritance that makes our moment in time the most unique of all. All that has come before us has been left for us to find, dusty and often without any context to distract from its pure magic. It is my happiness to endeavor to make brand-new sorts of things in which all that I love most about the world will have a home, just as my friends meaningfully and lovingly set out to make a 7-foot-tall metronome exist, giving their love and friendship a large, loud wooden form that can march forward in time.
Julian shared some thoughts about Purim’s Shadows and The Music Tapes with us:
Purim’s Shadows is a very small entrance into a vast landscape that is both auditory and imaginary and from which will come two full-length albums that I’m very excited about. The first will be Mary’s Voice, which we are finishing up now and will comprise the first half of Imaginary Symphony No. 3.
The Music Tapes, to me, is a sort of living dream that illustrates the continual process of how dreams become real. For example, when the 7-Foot-Tall Metronome sprang from my imagination, it was to be The Music Tapes’ primary rhythm instrument, and although it existed only as a drawing in a notebook, imagining it delighted and inspired me. My friends (Scott Spillane, Terry Rowlette, Robbie Cucchiaro, Laura Carter, Eric Harris, and others) saw the drawing and, in a flurry of excited activity, made it real. And thus the real world became different: it had a 7-foot-tall metronome in it.
Many of the basic tenants of The Music Tapes’ world are found on Purim’s Shadows, including the 7-Foot-Tall Metronome which provides the primary rhythm for “A Lightning’s Cheeks.” Also featured are the Orchestral Banjo and the Singing Saws. The Orchestral Banjo is played with a violin bow, producing a sound that I love very much; it’s like having at your command ghostly orchestras from crackly old records. And Saws, of course, sound to me like angels. This recording marks the first time a Singing Saw solo was encouraged (played) by someone other than me on a Music Tapes record: the solo at the end of “Night and Day” is the work of Ian Ludders, a great encourager of Saws, and I am honored to have had him play with us. Robbie Cucchiaro, The Music Tapes’ co-founding member, supplied horns and his signature euphonium. And finally, the most important contributors to this recording, and central to The Music Tapes’ sound, are the Webster Chicago wire recorder, RCA DX44 ribbon mic, and The Music Tapes’ array of antique and modern recording machinery and field recorders.
Without state-of-the-art machinery, The Music Tapes’ recordings would be next to impossible. But, of course, the past is where the future comes from. What often makes something new is not a loyal adherence to the trends and technologies of the moment but rather a loving interaction with the rich inheritance that makes our moment in time the most unique of all. All that has come before us has been left for us to find, dusty and often without any context to distract from its pure magic. It is my happiness to endeavor to make brand-new sorts of things in which all that I love most about the world will have a home, just as my friends meaningfully and lovingly set out to make a 7-foot-tall metronome exist, giving their love and friendship a large, loud wooden form that can march forward in time.
10/28/10
This November and December, The Music Tapes will be bringing a comforting, enchanting, and very special evening of Music Tapes’ dreamlike songs, stories and games for sleepover parties to ordinary homes across the land (US and Canada). The Music Tapes are now accepting invitations, and plan to visit over 200 homes! As with the Music Tapes’ caroling and lullaby travels of years past, they will stop at several houses a night in each city visiting also far off out of the way places most tours never get to go.
The Lullaby evenings with include songs from the Music Tapes forthcoming 2011 record, as well as from Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes, The 1st Imaginary Symphony for Nomad, and The Singing Saw at Christmastime, along with new Music Tapes games and stories. The entertainment, though sometimes more exciting than lulling, are all in honor of the comforting moments directly preceding and following sleep when we find ourselves happily unsure of whether we are awake or are dreaming.
For more information and to find out where the tour is stopping in your town, write lullabyedeliveries@gmail.com to receive an automatic reply and as always visit The Music Tapes’ online home at orbitinghumancircus.com. Dates may shift around a little bit, so be sure to check the website and email often.
Also, the St.Nikolai Game will be played in select cities at a location to be revealed via the email autoreply. All who wish to play must bring a candle 10 or 12 inches tall!
Lullabye tour path:
November 4th: Nashville, TN
November 5th: Mountain Home, AR
November 6th: Memphis, TN
November 7th: Baton Rouge, LA
November 8th: Houston, TX
November 10th: Austin, TX
November 11th: Austin, TX (St. Nikolai Game)
November 12th: Dallas & Denton, TX
November 13th: West Texas
November 14th: Albuquerque & Santa Fe, NM
November 15th: Flagstaff, AZ
November 16th: Phoenix, AZ
November 18th: Los Angeles, CA
November 19th: Los Angeles, CA (St. Nikolai Game)
November 20th: Wrightwood, CA (and area)
November 21st: San Francisco, CA
November 22nd: San Francisco, CA
November 23rd: Davis, CA
November 24th: Chico, CA and Eugene, OR
November 25th: Portland, OR
November 26th: Portland, OR (St. Nikolai Game)
November 27th: Olympia, WA
November 28th: Seattle, WA
November 29th: Idaho / Montana
November 30th: Utah / Wyoming
December 1st: Denver, CO
December 2nd: Columbus, NB
December 3rd: Omaha, NB
December 4th: Minneapolis, MN
December 5th: Maquoketa, IA
December 6th: Chicago, IL
December 7th: Chicago, IL (St. Nikolai Game)
December 8th: Cleveland, OH
December 9th: Buffalo, NY (area)
December 10th: Rochester, NY
December 11th: Ithaca, NY
December 12th: Syracuse, NY
December 13th: Northampton & Amherst, MA
December 14th: Williamstown, MA
December 15th: Tivoli, NY
December 16th: Poughkeepsie, NY
December 17th: Marlborough, NY
December 18th: Philadelphia, PA
December 19th: NYC
December 20th: NYC
December 21st: Worcester, MA
December 29th: Winterport, ME
December 30th: Brattleboro & Saxtons River, VT
December 31st: Henniker, NH
January 1st: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
January 2nd: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
January 3rd: Detroit, MI & environs
January 4th: Bloomington / Indianapolis, IN
January 5th: Pittsburgh, PA
January 6th: Baltimore, MD
January 7th: Washington, DC
January 8th: Richmond, VA
January 9th: Raleigh, NC
January 10th: Asheville, NC
January 11th: Atlanta, GA
January 13th: Athens, GA
January 14th: Athens, GA
January 15th: Athens, GA
The Lullaby evenings with include songs from the Music Tapes forthcoming 2011 record, as well as from Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes, The 1st Imaginary Symphony for Nomad, and The Singing Saw at Christmastime, along with new Music Tapes games and stories. The entertainment, though sometimes more exciting than lulling, are all in honor of the comforting moments directly preceding and following sleep when we find ourselves happily unsure of whether we are awake or are dreaming.
For more information and to find out where the tour is stopping in your town, write lullabyedeliveries@gmail.com to receive an automatic reply and as always visit The Music Tapes’ online home at orbitinghumancircus.com. Dates may shift around a little bit, so be sure to check the website and email often.
Also, the St.Nikolai Game will be played in select cities at a location to be revealed via the email autoreply. All who wish to play must bring a candle 10 or 12 inches tall!
Lullabye tour path:
November 4th: Nashville, TN
November 5th: Mountain Home, AR
November 6th: Memphis, TN
November 7th: Baton Rouge, LA
November 8th: Houston, TX
November 10th: Austin, TX
November 11th: Austin, TX (St. Nikolai Game)
November 12th: Dallas & Denton, TX
November 13th: West Texas
November 14th: Albuquerque & Santa Fe, NM
November 15th: Flagstaff, AZ
November 16th: Phoenix, AZ
November 18th: Los Angeles, CA
November 19th: Los Angeles, CA (St. Nikolai Game)
November 20th: Wrightwood, CA (and area)
November 21st: San Francisco, CA
November 22nd: San Francisco, CA
November 23rd: Davis, CA
November 24th: Chico, CA and Eugene, OR
November 25th: Portland, OR
November 26th: Portland, OR (St. Nikolai Game)
November 27th: Olympia, WA
November 28th: Seattle, WA
November 29th: Idaho / Montana
November 30th: Utah / Wyoming
December 1st: Denver, CO
December 2nd: Columbus, NB
December 3rd: Omaha, NB
December 4th: Minneapolis, MN
December 5th: Maquoketa, IA
December 6th: Chicago, IL
December 7th: Chicago, IL (St. Nikolai Game)
December 8th: Cleveland, OH
December 9th: Buffalo, NY (area)
December 10th: Rochester, NY
December 11th: Ithaca, NY
December 12th: Syracuse, NY
December 13th: Northampton & Amherst, MA
December 14th: Williamstown, MA
December 15th: Tivoli, NY
December 16th: Poughkeepsie, NY
December 17th: Marlborough, NY
December 18th: Philadelphia, PA
December 19th: NYC
December 20th: NYC
December 21st: Worcester, MA
December 29th: Winterport, ME
December 30th: Brattleboro & Saxtons River, VT
December 31st: Henniker, NH
January 1st: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
January 2nd: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
January 3rd: Detroit, MI & environs
January 4th: Bloomington / Indianapolis, IN
January 5th: Pittsburgh, PA
January 6th: Baltimore, MD
January 7th: Washington, DC
January 8th: Richmond, VA
January 9th: Raleigh, NC
January 10th: Asheville, NC
January 11th: Atlanta, GA
January 13th: Athens, GA
January 14th: Athens, GA
January 15th: Athens, GA
07/06/10
Julian Koster and The Music Tapes will be delivering lullabies at bedsides from bedroom to bedroom, and house to house in Boston, New York and Philadelphia in August. Featuring new songs as well as some of the gentler songs from Music Tapes for Clouds and Tornadoes and the 1st Imaginary Symphony for Nomad, lucky hosts will be visited at the bedtime hour by the most lulling of music tapes songs, by the sounds of the glowing and enchanting “Ghost Orchestra,” Singing Saws, Stories, and so forth.
To invite The Music Tapes to your house, send an invitation to:LullabyeDeliveries@gmail.com to reserve a time slot. There will be very few slots available so the first and most warm invitations will have to be chosen. Sleep over gatherings are accepted and even encouraged, although the lullabies will be absolutely delighted to regale audiences of only one. Locations of the lullaby events will be closed, and will not be announced to the general public, though you are heartily encouraged to make use of whatever means you wish to make new friends and gather.
On the night to follow, in each city, there will be played a game of “St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles” at a secret time and location to be announced by automatic reply via LullabyeDeliveries@gmail.com. “St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles” is a Music Tapes Game not unlike a form of freeze tag played with candles, which sometimes causes unexplainable things to happen. In order to play the game, you must bring a candle 10 or 12 inches tall.
Further instructions and information to be found via automatic reply from: LullabyeDeliveries@gmail.com and www.orbitinghumancircus.com!
Thank You Very Much!
Lullaby Delivery tour:
8/4 Lullabies in Boston and Cambridge, MA (and area)
8/5 St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles in Cambridge, MA
8/7 Lullabies in New York City, NY (and area)
8/8 St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles in New York City
8/9 Lullabies in Philadelphia, PA (and area)
8/10 St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles in the Philadelphia area
To invite The Music Tapes to your house, send an invitation to:LullabyeDeliveries@gmail.com to reserve a time slot. There will be very few slots available so the first and most warm invitations will have to be chosen. Sleep over gatherings are accepted and even encouraged, although the lullabies will be absolutely delighted to regale audiences of only one. Locations of the lullaby events will be closed, and will not be announced to the general public, though you are heartily encouraged to make use of whatever means you wish to make new friends and gather.
On the night to follow, in each city, there will be played a game of “St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles” at a secret time and location to be announced by automatic reply via LullabyeDeliveries@gmail.com. “St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles” is a Music Tapes Game not unlike a form of freeze tag played with candles, which sometimes causes unexplainable things to happen. In order to play the game, you must bring a candle 10 or 12 inches tall.
Further instructions and information to be found via automatic reply from: LullabyeDeliveries@gmail.com and www.orbitinghumancircus.com!
Thank You Very Much!
Lullaby Delivery tour:
8/4 Lullabies in Boston and Cambridge, MA (and area)
8/5 St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles in Cambridge, MA
8/7 Lullabies in New York City, NY (and area)
8/8 St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles in New York City
8/9 Lullabies in Philadelphia, PA (and area)
8/10 St. Nikolai the Wonder Worker’s Wishing Game of Candles in the Philadelphia area
11/30/09
It’s caroling time again! Julian Koster and his Singing Saw will come to your house to bring songs, stories, and good cheer to you and your friends – all you have to do is invite them!
To promote the spirit of the holidays and The Singing Saw at Christmastime, Julian, his dog Rudolph and his Singing Saw friend Badger set out on a caroling tour last fall. Julian says, “Caroling last year was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever known…following a path that wound through so many houses (over 100!), in so many neighborhoods in each town (and so many towns!), and being welcomed so kindly and so warmly into all of those homes. I’m so glad that we’re all still here, and that the Universe has arranged for this all to happen again. I can hardly wait.”
The Singing Saw at Christmastime is available on CD, LP, and digital download. Stream the whole album in the Merge store, visit the Merge blog to watch a video of Julian and the Singing Saw performing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and click to download a brand-new Singing Saw holiday classic rendition of “White Christmas.”
To find out the address of one of the homes in your area who will be hosting the carolers, please email musictapescaroling@gmail.com for the address and general time of the performance. Invitations are still being accepted at musictapescaroling@gmail.com for Nashville, Louisville, Indianapolis, Champaign, Cleveland, Providence, Baltimore, D.C., and Chapel Hill/Durham.
Julian and his merry carolers will accept no money at their caroling visits, but if you would like to contribute a little to help with their expenses, visit orbitinghumancircus.com.
Confirmed Caroling Path:
12/5 – Atlanta / Rome, GA
12/6 – Nashville, TN (early) / Louisville, KY
12/7 – Indianapolis, IN (early) / Champaign, IL
12/8 – Chicago, IL
12/9 – Kalamazoo, MI (early) / Detroit, MI (and area)
12/10 – Toledo, OH (early) / Cleveland, OH
12/11 – Buffalo, NY (early) / Geneseo, NY
12/12 – Ithaca, NY (early) / Monterrey, MA / Easthampton & Northampton, MA (late-night)
12/13 – Boston, MA (and area)
12/14 – Providence, RI (and area)
12/15 – Riverside, CT / Purchase, NY / Marlboro, NY
12/16 – New York City, NY
12/17 – New York City, NY (and area)
12/18 – Manalapan, NJ (early) / Philadelphia, PA
12/19 – Baltimore, MD (early) / Washington, DC
12/20 – Eagle Rock, VA (early) / Lynchburg, VA
12/21 – Chapel Hill, NC / Raleigh, NC
12/22 – Athens, GA
To promote the spirit of the holidays and The Singing Saw at Christmastime, Julian, his dog Rudolph and his Singing Saw friend Badger set out on a caroling tour last fall. Julian says, “Caroling last year was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever known…following a path that wound through so many houses (over 100!), in so many neighborhoods in each town (and so many towns!), and being welcomed so kindly and so warmly into all of those homes. I’m so glad that we’re all still here, and that the Universe has arranged for this all to happen again. I can hardly wait.”
The Singing Saw at Christmastime is available on CD, LP, and digital download. Stream the whole album in the Merge store, visit the Merge blog to watch a video of Julian and the Singing Saw performing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” and click to download a brand-new Singing Saw holiday classic rendition of “White Christmas.”
To find out the address of one of the homes in your area who will be hosting the carolers, please email musictapescaroling@gmail.com for the address and general time of the performance. Invitations are still being accepted at musictapescaroling@gmail.com for Nashville, Louisville, Indianapolis, Champaign, Cleveland, Providence, Baltimore, D.C., and Chapel Hill/Durham.
Julian and his merry carolers will accept no money at their caroling visits, but if you would like to contribute a little to help with their expenses, visit orbitinghumancircus.com.
Confirmed Caroling Path:
12/5 – Atlanta / Rome, GA
12/6 – Nashville, TN (early) / Louisville, KY
12/7 – Indianapolis, IN (early) / Champaign, IL
12/8 – Chicago, IL
12/9 – Kalamazoo, MI (early) / Detroit, MI (and area)
12/10 – Toledo, OH (early) / Cleveland, OH
12/11 – Buffalo, NY (early) / Geneseo, NY
12/12 – Ithaca, NY (early) / Monterrey, MA / Easthampton & Northampton, MA (late-night)
12/13 – Boston, MA (and area)
12/14 – Providence, RI (and area)
12/15 – Riverside, CT / Purchase, NY / Marlboro, NY
12/16 – New York City, NY
12/17 – New York City, NY (and area)
12/18 – Manalapan, NJ (early) / Philadelphia, PA
12/19 – Baltimore, MD (early) / Washington, DC
12/20 – Eagle Rock, VA (early) / Lynchburg, VA
12/21 – Chapel Hill, NC / Raleigh, NC
12/22 – Athens, GA
The Singing Saws at Christmastime :: CD/LP (Merge) 2008
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Archers of Loaf [+]
| February | ||
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall |
| 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| April | ||
| 26 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| 27 | Cambridge, MA | Middle East - Downstairs |
| 28 | Cambridge, MA | Middle East - Downstairs |
| [see all] | ||
Richard Buckner [+]
| February | ||
| 22 | New Haven, CT | BAR |
| 24 | Lexington, KY | Cosmic Charlie's |
| 25 | Atlanta, GA | Highland Inn Ballroom |
| 27 | Easton, MD | The NightCat |
| March | ||
| 02 | Bayport, NY | The Grey Horse Tavern |
| [see all] | ||
Caribou [+]
| April | ||
| 17 | Mexico City | Foro Sol |
| 18 | Mexico City | Foro Sol |
Crooked Fingers [+]
| February | ||
| 29 | Los Angeles, CA | Hotel Cafe |
Destroyer [+]
Eleanor Friedberger [+]
| February | ||
| 09 | Seattle, WA | The Crocodile |
Hospitality [+]
| February | ||
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall |
| 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| 29 | Toronto, ON | Horseshoe Tavern |
| March | ||
| 02 | Boston, MA | Brighton Music Hall |
| 03 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| [see all] | ||
Imperial Teen [+]
| February | ||
| 24 | San Francisco, CA | Cafe Du Nord |
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | Amoeba Records |
Lambchop [+]
| February | ||
| 23 | Berlin | Babylon |
| 24 | Berlin | Babylon |
| 25 | Dresden | Beatpol |
| 26 | Leipzig | Werk II |
| 27 | Vienna | Konzerthaus |
| [see all] | ||
The Love Language [+]
| March | ||
| 09 | Charlotte, NC | Visulite Theatre |
| 10 | Savannah, GA | Savannah Stopover at Ships of the Sea Museum |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | Variety Playhouse |
| 12 | Baton Rouge, LA | Red Star Bar |
| 20 | Birmingham, AL | The Bottletree |
| [see all] | ||
The Magnetic Fields [+]
| March | ||
| 06 | Hudson, NY | Helsinki Hudson |
| 07 | Philadelphia, PA | Union Transfer |
| 10 | Minehead | All Tomorrow's Parties curated by Jeff Mangum |
| 18 | Vancouver | The Vogue |
| 19 | Seattle, WA | Neptune Theatre |
| [see all] | ||
Jeff Mangum [+]
| February | ||
| 08 | Milwaukee, WI | Pabst Theater |
| 10 | Athens, GA | 40 Watt |
| 11 | Athens, GA | 40 Watt |
| March | ||
| 07 | Dublin | Vicar Street |
| 09 | Minehead | ATP curated by Jeff Mangum |
| [see all] | ||
the Mountain Goats [+]
| March | ||
| 09 | Denton, TX | 35 Denton |
| 13 | New York, NY | Carnegie Hall |
| 24 | New York, NY | Merkin Hall |
Portastatic [+]
| February | ||
| 11 | Chapel Hill, NC | The Cave |
| 18 | Durham, NC | Duke Coffeehouse |
| 23 | San Francisco, CA | Swedish American Hall |
Superchunk [+]
| February | ||
| 11 | Chapel Hill, NC | The Cave |
| 18 | Durham, NC | Duke Coffeehouse |
| 23 | San Francisco, CA | Swedish American Hall |
Versus [+]
| March | ||
| 09 | London | The Lexington |
| April | ||
| 10 | Brooklyn, NY | The Bell House |
M. Ward [+]
| March | ||
| 20 | London | Leicester Square Theatre |
| 21 | Paris | Le Zenith |
| 22 | Lyon | Transbordeur |
| 23 | Lille | Theatre Sebastopol |
| 25 | London | Royal Albert Hall |
| [see all] | ||
Wild Flag [+]
| February | ||
| 08 | Berlin | Lido |
| March | ||
| 07 | Perth | The Bakery |
| 09 | Melbourne | Corner Hotel |
| 10 | Victoria | Golden Plains Festival |
| 11 | Brisbane | The Zoo |
| [see all] | ||
Wye Oak [+]
| February | ||
| 23 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| 24 | San Francisco, CA | The Independent |
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