We sat down with Adam Hajari and Cassie Morgan, two-thirds of the melodic St. Louis trio (Jerry Baugher rounds out the group) to discuss the band’s formation and the reason behind their impending end. Tonight, they play their final show at Plush with Dubb Nubb.

How’d the Blind Nils come to be?

AH: I met Jerry soon after moving to St. Louis at Chippewa Chapel. The first time I saw him, he just played a few songs, but I remember being completely blown away. Jerry wasn’t living in St. Louis at the time, but I still remember seeing him at Chapel sometimes. Actually, Chippewa Chapel is where I met Cassie, too.

By that time it was happening like every Thursday at Off Broadway.

CM: Yeah, but it was awesome because there would be so many great musicians who would just show up to play a new song or whatnot. You’d never know who you’d get to see.

So it was a good way to keep a pulse on what was happening and who was playing around town.

AH: More than anything it was a good way to see good music in a friendly place.

CM: And a chance to play on a wonderful stage.

AH: I ended up booking my first show at the Schlafly Tap Room. I’d been playing songs with Jerry, and I’d been playing song with Cassie, but I wanted try all three of us playing out together. So that was kind of the birth of The Blind Nils.

So I’ve been curious about the name of the band and I don’t think I’ve ever asked any of you what it means.

CM: [Laughs] That’s all Adam.

AH: So there was a year in grad school when I got into playing spades. It’s a card game that involves taking tricks. You have to bid on tricks before each hand, and if you think you’re capable of taking no tricks, that’s called going nil.

But if you’re really far behind, and you have a lot of points to make up, then you can go nil without looking at your cards. Basically, you’re saying, “I’m desperate…I’m really far behind; I’m going to go blind nil.”

Cassie, what’s it like having another musical project, of which you are the leader, and then splitting time while on stage with the Blind Nils? How does the performance feel different?

CM: Well, honestly, it’s just really fun. I get to back up two of my legitimately favorite songwriters and musicians in St. Louis. So whatever I can add to that is a bonus. I’ve never felt torn between the two projects.

Now for the retrospective portion of the interview…Do you have any favorite shows you’ve played or experienced as a band?

CM: Supporting Mountain Man was really great. I felt like we played well that night, and the whole evening had a different kind of vibe to it. We also played with Holly Golightly, which was another fun but different kind of performance. There were some rockabilly kids there; I liked it.

Okay, okay. I have a question for Adam!

How does earning a PhD in mathematical computing affect your songwriting?

AH: I actually think [it doesn’t affect] it at all. Our songs are really simple, and by design, too. I think that the way that I write songs is very organic – I don’t necessarily plan things out.

Does your thought process for math and physics exist in a totally different sphere than your creative, musical thinking?

AH: No, I almost get offended where when people think that there’s no creativity in mathematics, because there’s a ton of it. Okay, well maybe math is more like cooking than it is like making music, at least for me. So there’s a set of instructions, and certain tools, and yet you’re able to make something unique, something truly different, by thinking in a creative way.

Why do we have to say goodbye to the Blind Nils?

AH: As Cassie mentioned, I recently earned a PhD in Physics. I’ve decided to move to New York. Now, I don’t have a job yet, but the decision is made, and I plan on figuring it out once I get there. A common path for those in mathematics in New York is finance, and while I’m not opposed to the idea, I’m not married to it either. Basically, I want to do something with my degree that I enjoy and that affords me the chance to live in New York. I’m excited and I’m ready to try something new.

Come bid adieu to  the Blind Nils w/ Dubb Nubb TONIGHT for free at Plush – we’ll see you there! FUN FACT: May 24th is Hannah and Delia Rainey’s birthday! They are both tiny and adorable and twins and this occasion will make the evening even more fun!