In the mid '90s, singer-songwriter Jeff Mangum carved out a sizable reputation for himself in the annals of indie music lore. An original member of the Elephant 6 Collective, he and his band Neutral Milk Hotel released just two full-length albums including the much-salivated-over swan song In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, which featured Mangum's nasally but powerful voice singing his love for Jesus Christ, Anne Frank and a host of surreal images overtop a shambolic din of acoustic guitars, singing saws and Salvation Army band horns. Then he unceremoniously pulled the plug, retired from making music and unintentionally grew into a cult figure. After more than a decade of silence, Mangum, to the surprise of many, resurfaced and started performing sporadically, eventually leading to a full-blown tour, which brings him to the Vogue Theatre, July 25. By all accounts, it should be a beautiful thing. For tickets, go to Red Cat, Zulu, Highlife Records or online voguetheatre.ca and northerntickets.com.

Photograph by: submitted , for Vancouver Courier