From:
Elaine Sundust
Department of Space Rock (DSR)
Patents Branch

To:
Mr. David Pearce (Flying Saucer Attack)
Mr. Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
Mr. Alan Sparhawk, Ms. Mimi Parker, Mr. Zak Sally (Low)

Re: Jessica Bailiff

I trust you are all doing well. It's been a long time since we last talked at the Space Rock Barbecue last August. I hope the incident with the "funny" Kool-Aid has not soured our normally congenial, professional relationship. If there are any doubts, let me repeat that our helper monkey (normally very helpful) simply mistook one set of sugar cubes for... um... another. We have since sent him back to the jungle for his errors. I also apologize for Hector, our former massage therapist, and his "busy hands." Unlike our monkey, I'm afraid Hector did know what he was doing, and when we figured it out, we had him instantly lobotomized.

On other matters, I am writing on behalf of one Jessica Bailiff, with regards to the usage of the various Space Rock patents you currently hold. Jessica is a musician/songwriter from Toledo, Ohio who is getting ready to release her debut, Even in Silence, on Chicago's Kranky Records. During the recording process, Bailiff filed a patent request with DSR with regards to the styles she wishes to convey. I understand she has already been in contact with Mr. Sparhawk, Ms. Parker and Mr. Sally and that they have provided instrumentation for, and recorded, said record.

From Mr. Shields, Ms. Bailiff would like to ask permission for use of your swirling guitar textures. She uses this patent on many songs (in particular, the excellent "Failing Yesterday"), and while it does not directly resemble your work, she felt it necessary to file a request through you. May I remind you that, since you have not released a My Bloody Valentine album in over eight years, your patent on said technique is perilously close to expiring.

Mr. Pearce, Ms. Bailiff would like to borrow several elements of your sonic holdings. In particular, she would appreciate it if she could use your patents on slow, building white noise, interspersed with lightly plucked, heavily delayed guitar noodling. She would also like to borrow your patent on barely discernable lyrics over awe-inspiring atmospheric noise.

To the Low folks, Jessica would like to exercise your patent on ominous, dark melodies, as exemplified on your last recording, Songs for a Dead Pilot. She would also like to add simple drum structures, blissed-out organs, and basslines that wind like wires on a needle, and to edit and phase them inbetween each other the way you've done in the past. I assume that your elegant participation on this record is indicative of your approval of said request, so this letter is more a formality than anything else.

Please acknowledge your acceptance of Jessica's request in written form to this office as soon as you can, as Even in Silence will be available in stores shortly. I have heard the recording and I must say, her ability to synthesize these elements without sounding like some kind of half-assed mimic is indicative of her genuine and honest appreciation of the fine work you do.

Until the next picnic,
Elaine

-Samir Khan