Ruban Nielson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra performing live in Spain in 2013. Photo / supplied
Ruban Nielson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra performing live in Spain in 2013. Photo / supplied
Love has recently been an "emotionally terrifying" journey for former Mint Chicks guitarist Ruban Nielson.
In a revealing interview with Pitchfork.com, the Unknown Mortal Orchestra frontman has spoken of his life with his family, detailing the polyamorous relationship he had with his wife.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra's upcoming third full-length album is aptly titled Multi-Love and the influence of his exploration of polyamorous love - which involves more than two people in a romantic relationship - can be felt throughout.
"I'd never heard of polyamory before and I wasn't interested in the idea of it," Nielson told Pitchfork, as he explained how an 18-year-old woman he met on tour became part of his family life.
Ruban Nielson, of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Photo / supplied
It began in 2013, when he spotted her in a bar in Tokyo on a day off from touring. They made eye contact, he waved. Introductions were made and the pair exchanged details and hoped to keep in touch.
The woman, referred to as Laura in the article, later attended Nielson's show in Melbourne with a woman she said was her partner. At this point, Nielson considered the relationship to be platonic and they continued to write to each other online.
After his wife Jenny noticed the friendship, she asked Nielson to get Laura to send a selfie through. When she saw the picture, she asked Nielson to introduce them.
Jenny and Laura then began corresponding as well, starting online and then moving to handwritten letters, which worried Nielson.
Ruban Nielson of the Mint Chicks in 2007. Photo / Michael Craig
"They had turned into love letters," he told Pitchfork. "[Jenny] told me that I could read them if I wanted to, but I didn't and I still don't. It's kind of terrifying to think that she was being intimate with another person."
Nielson then became submerged in his work to try and distract himself from the burgeoning relationship - but his wife had a plan. She wanted Laura to come and live with the couple and their two children in Portland, Oregon.
Laura moved in and their life together became what Nielson described as "a crazy awesome dream".
He and his wife bonded with her almost instantly. They had been concerned about the kids' responses, but they also bonded with Laura quickly.
But feelings of jealousy arose.
Then Laura's tourist visa expired and she was forced to leave the United States. She got a new visa and returned, but was forced to leave again after a few months.
It was a year Nielson feels like he'll never forget. "I feel like I'm gonna spend the rest of my life trying to live last year down. It was such a beautiful time."
Watch a music video from Nielson's new album here:
