The National Lights & The Bland Allisons w/ Aaron Nathans

Art in the cafe...

Dottie and Josie Brand (Two Peas in a Pod)


"Summer Magic"


June 2026



We are self-taught artists who create work inspired by healing, nature, travel, and personal experiences. Growing up, art became a way for us to process emotions, express ourselves, and create spaces that felt meaningful and comforting. Our first “gallery” was our college apartment, which we transformed with our own artwork and nature-inspired design and the power of the feminine. Sharing our space and work with others encouraged us to continue creating and exploring art more seriously. Inspired by our Latin culture, color, emotion, and everyday moments, our work reflects themes of connection, growth,...
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Friday, January 6, 2006

The National Lights and the Bland Allisons (the sister projects of Jacob Thomas Berns and Ernest Christian Kiehne, respectively) write songs about mid-western wife killers, zombies, Hamlet, man-eating grizzlies, and the destiny of the human soul. They are staunch proponents of traditional songwriting elements: beautifully orchestrated acoustic guitars, pianos, organs, banjos, and pedal-steels surrounding tightly wound harmonies; song structures concerned more with immediate and enduring beauty than eccentricity or dissonant charm. They are sinister and beautiful and hopelessly refreshing.

Aaron Nathans is famous for writing songs about nothing. And yet, they're clearly about something. This Madison songwriter picks small things to write about, like grapefruit, squirrels and politicians. He deftly evokes a sense of place, balancing emotion with a wicked sense of humor. He's supporting his debut album, "Same Old You," released this spring.

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