Swedish singer-songwriter José González recently released his second full-length album, In Our Nature on Mute Records.  While still employing mostly vocals and guitar, José has added a few new flourishes to his sound, such as synthesizer and percussion, and as the title suggests, the new record explores what it's like to be human and calls out our often hurtful actions towards one another.

As you will see for yourself, José is a sweet and thoughtful person, and the world at large could stand to learn something from the down to earth and honest outlook he brings to his life and music.  When he was in town last month, he spent some time with me, talking in an alley right off First Ave in downtown Minneapolis.  We even had a few on-lookers listening in (some José fans no doubt) as we discussed José's unique perspective on life, religion and his masterplan.  Then the sun set, and we called it a day...

Watch the film here.  A written transcript of our conversation follows after the break.

In the early '90s, Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Mangum and a few childhood friends had a vision to establish the Elephant 6 Recording Company, which it's founders saw as a utopia through which their individual projects could grow and take shape by the eyes and hands of an encouraging collective.  Their ambition, maybe especially Jeff's ambition, was to create music that could change the world.  He believed that music has the power to transform your life and heal your suffering.  No small thing - - yet if you ask most anybody who has heard their second and final album, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, they will tell you, he was right.

After the album was released in 1998, it seemed as though the Elephant 6 dream was a reality - - Aeroplane blew up and was striking chords with critics and fans alike.  Sadly though, it wasn't long after Neutral Milk Hotel's tour behind Aeroplane, when Jeff basically lost it.  Even with the newfound success, Jeff couldn't help but notice he and his friends weren't going to be living happily ever after.  One very close friend in particular, who since birth had the dehumanizing experience of enduring abuse and molestation by her father, was going through heavy emotional distress.

Jeff believed to his very core that music - - his music - - could reach people and help them overcome the difficulties of everyday life.  When he saw that his own friends weren't being healed by the power of music, well . . .

Call it a nervous breakdown or a loss of focus and direction, or maybe an inability to handle the pressures of the spotlight.  Mangum suddenly wasn't so sure of anything anymore, let alone himself.  To this day, Jeff has by and large disappeared from the music scene, turning instead to making field recordings of crashing waves, parades, children playing, and cathedral bells for audio collages.

So what kind of record did this man leave behind?

Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel are Two Gallants, a drums and guitar duo hailing from San Francisco.  Their self-titled third album was recently released on Saddle Creek.  I had the chance to talk with Adam and Tyson, along with openers Blitzen Trapper, before their show at the Turf Club in St. Paul.  Our conversation deals mainly with relationships:  as band-mates and as friends (they've known each other since grade school), as well as with their record label.

Give it a view and catch Two Gallants on tour - - they play one hell of a show.

Blitzen Trapper is a six-piece, Portland-based band that deliciously blends rock, country and folk in melodic and textured pop songs reminiscent of Summerteeth-era Wilco.  Their third self-released album, Wild Mountain Nation, is beating eardrums everywhere - - give 'em a listen at their Myspace.

I talked with half of Blitzen Trapper before their show supporting Two Gallants in St Paul.  We had to contend with all the noises the Turf Club basement could throw at us and were almost swallowed whole by the racket - - but if you listen close enough, we will overcome it.  Good times were had by all.

Our love washes over you . . . can you feel it?