Kim Cooper reads from Neutral Milk Hotel book November 7, 2006

WHAT: Kim Cooper reads from Neutral Milk Hotel band bio
WHEN: Tuesday, November 7, 8pm
WHERE: Pogo Cafe, 76 Clarence Road, Hackney, London E5 8HB, Tel: 0208 533 1214
DIRECTIONS: http://www.pogocafe.co.uk/map/
COST: Free
SNACKS: Vegan cakes and tea will be available.

LOS ANGELES- Pop culture scribe Kim Cooper makes a rare London appearance on November 7 to read from and sign copies of her latest book "Neutral Milk Hotel's 'In The Aeroplane Over The Sea'" at the Hackney's vegan worker's co-op Pogo Cafe. Kim will also be answering questions about the challenges and unique rewards of writing the history of a band with a notoriously press-shy leader and exceptionally protective friends and fans.

This best-selling volume in Continuum Books' eclectic 33 1/3 series of little books about great albums may not feature the most famous band in the world, but Neutral Milk Hotel fans have snapped up nearly every copy, requiring several printings in less than a year. Series editor David Barker says, "It's fantastic to see Kim's book off to such a great start, and outselling our books about Springsteen and Bowie. The story is clearly resonating with a lot of fans. The book's success is also a tribute to clued-up independent and online stores--since it's basically unavailable in 95% of regular bookstores in America."

The highly influential Neutral Milk Hotel broke up in 1998, not long after the release of their masterpiece. The album continues to sell 25,000 copies a year mainly by word of mouth, and was recently given ten retroactive stars by Pitchfork.com. Kim Cooper's book explores the deep friendships that fed the band's evolution, its role within the Elephant 6 creative community, previously unpublished information on recordings, songwriting and touring, and explains some of the reasons why band leader Jeff Mangum felt compelled to retreat from public life just as his band was taking off.

The reviewers say: "'Aeroplane' might be 33 1/3's biggest hit yet. " (East Bay Express). "Compelling" (NY Press). "Some of the other 33 1/3 books have been too much about the ego of the author; Cooper disappears into her narrative, and her book is infinitely better for it." (From Here To Obscurity). "[Cooper's] strengths as a social historian lend this read a certain depth that most Spin writers could never muster. Somehow, she miraculously manages to do an album of this ilk—as resistant to the bitter end as it’s been to the spotlight—poetic justice." (L.A. Alternative) "A perfect companion piece to the album that it dissects." (alt.culture.guide)

Kim Cooper edits Scram, a journal of unpopular culture, and co-edited the anthologies "Bubblegum Music is the Naked Truth" and "Lost in the Grooves." In addition to her musical writings, she blogs historic L.A. true crime daily at http://www.1947project.com. and leads guided Crime Bus tours to scenes of forgotten mayhem.

Official Website: http://www.scrammagazine.com/scram-categories/scram-books/aeroplane