Attack of the Weird Rockin’ Amish Hippies
TomKat not freaking you out enough these days perhaps the more fascinating couple is Genie and Troy Nilsson, recently they sent along a hello email to CKUW and so it began. Regarded as the Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsome of the gospel music scene, the two have managed to sell millions of records despite a zero marketing budget. The story started when Genie left a prosperous corporate music career to move to an Amish farm, worship Yahshuah (Jesus) and make yoga music for Christians. A lifetime survivor of chronic headaches and self proclaimed servant of third world orphans – Genie boasts about throwing away all her worldly possessions including her TVs and radios. It’s weird that she has a website. One that’s full of colorful commentary about adoption, the legal system, the horrors of psychiatry (you’re not the only one Cruise) as well as hip Jesus jingles and picture spreads of their “big, brown beautiful beloved baby.” Genie is one busy pseudo-hippie-Amish-superstar although she admits taking the time now and then to play with animals, get a massage from her husband and go for a walk in the woods. But aside from the whole “Village – Madonna” complex, Genie along with her husband have managed to produce more material then the Beatles. From God awful Enya like worship songs to atmosphere drunk worship prog-rock to hip-hop hymns for kids. But what’s even more fascinating then worship rock volume two (another gem) is her Amish-breaded husband’s outrageous writing. On Troy’s webpage he discusses among other things the rise of the antichrist Murkans followers of Mammon which “dwell in the suburbs remote in hand.“Although the theory starts with a basic critique on the average American material-based lifestyle it broadens later into a thinly veiled Jews control the world banking system type deal that conspiracy nuts have been bleating for years. What’s even more absurd are the scripts Troy writes for antichrist commercials and hilariously graphic STI infested sex plays that would make even John Waters blush. But before you think the couple’s another Jonestown waiting to happen – don’t worry; Troy appears to be a pacifist and reclusive one at that. He seems to be drinking a holy different brand of electric kool-aid acid trip through his work- more of the cult hit Daniel Johnston variety; without irony, without compromise- brilliantly absurd. If you are interested in abandoning your Murkan ways or are interested in getting your mind blown in the throws of Christian sober psychedelia check out Genie and Troy at their website.
