It takes a special kind of music aficionado to know Neutral
Milk Hotel in the first place. Jeff Mangum and his crew of experimental,
90’s-era indie rockers have amassed a strong cult following since breaking up
in 1999, but the band’s appeal isn’t entirely widespread. So what does that say Shawn
Fogel and Michael J. Epstein? This ukulele-plucking duo is currently touring the
country as Neutral Uke Hotel—and
tonight, they’re playing the Sunset Tavern
in Ballard.
The centerpiece of the show is a track-by-track performance
of Neutral Milk Hotel’s most successful album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. This 1998 release is notable not only as a
critically acclaimed album that has sold more than 300,000 copies, but also as
the band’s death rattle. Mangum called it quits less than a year later, citing
exhaustion; he has since played publicly on only a couple occasions. However,
the elusive lyricist announced several upcoming tour dates last year—including a set at
Coachella this April (both weekends).
The odd tribute from Fogel and Epstein debuted last year, and their current five-city tour began on
Feb. 17 in Los Angeles, followed by performances in San Francisco and Eugene.
Following the Seattle show, the tour will culminate at Portland’s Mississippi
Studios. The two uke-ists are joined onstage by trumpeter Matt Girard (Epstein’s
former bandmate from the now-defunct Motion Sick), percussionist Andrew
Laubacher and melodica player Josh Cohen. Fogel will channel Mangum as he
performs all the vocals.
The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Tickets
($9.50 per person, after fees) are available online.
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