Moth wranglers
Encyclopedia
Moth Wranglers was a musical collaboration formed in 1998 by Chris Xefos
(Drop Quarters, ex-King Missile
), and LD Beghtol
(Flare
, The Magnetic Fields
). The duo took their name from the credits for Jonathan Demme
's 1991 thriller Silence of the Lambs. In their decade-long involvement, the pair created two albums and a number of other one-off recordings and live performances, mostly working separately in different studios. Guest musicians figure prominently on moth wranglers' recordings (Never Mind the Context (Magnetic, 2001), Never Better
(Magnetic, 2004), and Never Again (digital release, 2010)), including Victor Krummenacher
and Jonathan Segel
of Camper Van Beethoven
), Ken Stringfellow
of The Posies, Stephin Merritt
of The Magnetic Fields, Doug Hilsinger and other noted rock/pop musicians of an experimental bent as well as multi-instrumentalist/mentalist/author Daniel Handler
. The moth wranglers' song “Dear Santa (Don’t Come to My House)” — featuring Kendall Jane Meade — was used in the 2008 Irish feature film How About You, directed by Anthony Byrne and starring Vanessa Redgrave
, Joss Akland and Hayley Atwell. moth wranglers disbanded in 2010.
Chris Xefos
Chris Xefos is an American multi-instrumentalist musician/engineer/producer and former member of band King Missile. He plays various instruments such as accordion, bass, piano, and synthesizer, among others. He began recording/producing various groups in New York during the 1980s, including...
(Drop Quarters, ex-King Missile
King Missile
King Missile is an American avant-garde band that has been led in various disparate incarnations by poet/singer John S. Hall since 1986. Currently, Hall performs with a new version of the first incarnation, King Missile ....
), and LD Beghtol
LD Beghtol
LD Beghtol is an American musician, art director and writer. Beghtol participated in The Magnetic Fields' 69 Love Songs recordings and live shows. Beghtol is a founding member of the band Flare—aka Flare Acoustic Arts League—and the death-pop outfit LD & the New Criticism, and was also in the...
(Flare
Flare Acoustic Arts League
Flare Acoustic Arts League — a.k.a. Flare — is an experimental pop band formed by guitarist Damian Costilla and singer LD Beghtol in New York in 1996.-History:...
, The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields
The Magnetic Fields is the principal creative outlet of singer-songwriter Stephin Merritt...
). The duo took their name from the credits for Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme
Robert Jonathan Demme is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. Best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director, he has also directed the acclaimed movies Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, the Talking Heads concert movie Stop...
's 1991 thriller Silence of the Lambs. In their decade-long involvement, the pair created two albums and a number of other one-off recordings and live performances, mostly working separately in different studios. Guest musicians figure prominently on moth wranglers' recordings (Never Mind the Context (Magnetic, 2001), Never Better
Never Better
Never Better is a British television sitcom which started on BBC Two on 10 January 2008. It stars Stephen Mangan as recovering alcoholic Keith Merchant and Kate Ashfield as his suffering wife Anita...
(Magnetic, 2004), and Never Again (digital release, 2010)), including Victor Krummenacher
Victor Krummenacher
Victor Krummenacher is an American musician and bass guitarist who is a founding member of alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven. He also helped form CVB offshoots Monks of Doom and Camper Van Chadbourne and has pursued a solo career as a singer-songwriter...
and Jonathan Segel
Jonathan Segel
Jonathan Segel is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. He has played with Camper Van Beethoven, Sparklehorse, Eugene Chadbourne, and Dieselhed.-Biography:...
of Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
), Ken Stringfellow
Ken Stringfellow
Kenneth Stuart Stringfellow is an American musician, best known for his work with The Posies, R.E.M., and the re-formed Big Star.-Musical career:...
of The Posies, Stephin Merritt
Stephin Merritt
Stephin Merritt is an American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles , best known as the principal singer and songwriter in the band The Magnetic Fields...
of The Magnetic Fields, Doug Hilsinger and other noted rock/pop musicians of an experimental bent as well as multi-instrumentalist/mentalist/author Daniel Handler
Daniel Handler
Daniel Handler is an American author, screenwriter and accordionist. He is best known for his work under the pen name Lemony Snicket.-Personal life:...
. The moth wranglers' song “Dear Santa (Don’t Come to My House)” — featuring Kendall Jane Meade — was used in the 2008 Irish feature film How About You, directed by Anthony Byrne and starring Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa Redgrave, CBE is an English actress of stage, screen and television, as well as a political activist.She rose to prominence in 1961 playing Rosalind in As You Like It with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has since made more than 35 appearances on London's West End and Broadway, winning...
, Joss Akland and Hayley Atwell. moth wranglers disbanded in 2010.