I'm always intrigued when a director or creator takes a greater than average risk when choosing a soundtrack for a movie. Anyone could take the dark visuals of "The Matrix" or "Max Payne" and realize that NIN or Manson would be a natural fit. That's a no-brainer. It always makes me wonder if the creators always had the soundtrack in their head or if they just discovered it by accident. "A Knight's Tale" comes to mind with its classic rock mix; however, that soundtrack felt really obvious and forced at the same time. Wasn't for me, it came off extra cheesy.
You ever hear a song that you would have never expected in a movie or show and it just works with perfection? I recently got sucked in to the movie "Marie Antoinette" partially because of Kirsten Dunst, but primarily because of the soundtrack. One scene in particular where they play New Order's "Ceremony" really caught my eyes and ears.
I was just taken aback at how well it worked. I know the movie is a few years old but I never paid much attention to it.
I am sometimes faced with creating a soundscape for a visual performance. The fashion shows were my favorite last year simply because I was allowed to choose all of the music. Since the visual arts portion of my brain is completely dead, this is the only chance I get to exercise it. At a recent gig, I was given the creative freedom to choose the music for most of the event with the exception of scheduled performances by gymnasts and cheerleaders. After the athletes entered the floor, in front of an audience of over a thousand people, I was to play something kind of upbeat while the athletes took their turn at random acts of gymnastery (lol). There are plenty of obvious songs out there that would have fit perfectly - I think the crowd expected it and would have been okay with anything. In rehearsals I had something up my sleeve that I wasn't going to leak to anyone. I wasn't given much time to prepare for the event but they did give me a sample DVD of previous year's performances. I used the dvd for a few hours trying to find what tempo worked best. Given that the focus would be the athletes I didn't want to use one of those obvious, loud, obnoxious, overplayed "Y'all Ready For This" techno songs. I thought that would just be sensory overload (especially given the amount of equipment I packed in there...I had to use my earplugs for the first time at an event).
Instead, while they were tumbling and flipping all over the place for the first five minutes I went with a Norah Jones remix (Things You Don't Have to Do - Sunrise Remix). The song has a really strong feeling of tension but never releases, and that's when I slide in to a heavy faster beat current electronic song. The Nora Jones song (as a long intro)...worked...and worked very well. Give it a listen and tell me if you can picture it:
http://mp3.rhapsody.com/player?type=track&id=tra.8684952&remote=false&page=&pageregion=&guid=&from=&hasrhapx=false&__pcode=
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I'm so happy mad!
I couldn't be angrier with myself, but I'm still happy. I've rekindled another relationship- well not really. I have found an artist that I ignored for many years and he has allowed me to purchase his music. Is that really a relationship?
This appears to be a common occurence with me. I like an album from a band that for one reason or another doesn't survive, then I never check in with them again.
Usually when the band breaks up I write them off. "You're dead to me". There have been a few bands that I've actually taken the time to research the other projects they were involved in, because I was interested. Unfortunately I rarely get hooked on their newer projects.
Every year I come across at least two or three artists that I completely neglected to keep up with and then find out they have been more than active in the music community. It makes me angry that I haven't given the effort to keep up with them but oh so excited when I find they have a respectable discography I have never heard.
The really frustrating part of that relationship is that it's not that I've ignored the song or album that got me hooked in the first place. In fact, I usually break out the dusty albums a few times a year....reminisce...then get back to my busy life. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Usually what happens is I listen to an album and maybe I look up the band and find out they have broken up right after an album or two, and I give up or get distracted. No excuse. I should pay more attention to you, I'm so sorry. Here you are pouring your heart in to your music and I'm off listening to some, mediocre at best "new sound". Will you ever forgive me?
One such event happened this week.
This week is one of my "lucky" weeks where I can actually treat myself to new music. Not a client's, not a recommendation...but music that I've sought out and found. I love music hunting and hitting the gold mine.
In recent searches I've come across new artists like Jamie Leonhart (who is a marvelous musician out of the NY) and reconnected with one of my favorite folk artists Leona Naess.
But last night I came across a name I have not heard in at least 10 years - Mike Doughty (also out of the NY).
Mr. Doughty was in a band called Soul Coughing...one of their great songs named "Super Bon Bon" is frequently played in my vehicle. The entire album "irresistible bliss", released in 96, is one of those that I break out often enough to refresh the words in my head. Everytime I listen to it...I think "too bad they broke up", and like a schmuck I put it right back up on the shelf without following up.
Well last night upon music shopping I came across M. Doughty's discography and boy was I embarrassed. When I saw all of the music he has released over the past ten years my shoulders sank. I wanted to kick myself without even hearing any of it...I know I messed up, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I was apologizing to him under my breath, while cussing myself. Sound unheard - I made the snap decision to purchase everything available (not just his latest "Golden Delicious" released early 2008). I knew I wouldn't be dissappointed because I knew this was a guy who would produce quality.
I don't know how many of you take recommendations or if anyone even reads my drivel, but let me suggest you give him a chance. In today's mash of over processed, vocoder induced, empty lyric vocals....it's so flippin nice to come across someone who has no issue sticking with what works. If you're not familiar with his work....at the very least give "Looking At the World from the Bottom of a Well" a listen. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Sorry Mike, I'm an idiot...won't happen again.
This appears to be a common occurence with me. I like an album from a band that for one reason or another doesn't survive, then I never check in with them again.
Usually when the band breaks up I write them off. "You're dead to me". There have been a few bands that I've actually taken the time to research the other projects they were involved in, because I was interested. Unfortunately I rarely get hooked on their newer projects.
Every year I come across at least two or three artists that I completely neglected to keep up with and then find out they have been more than active in the music community. It makes me angry that I haven't given the effort to keep up with them but oh so excited when I find they have a respectable discography I have never heard.
The really frustrating part of that relationship is that it's not that I've ignored the song or album that got me hooked in the first place. In fact, I usually break out the dusty albums a few times a year....reminisce...then get back to my busy life. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Usually what happens is I listen to an album and maybe I look up the band and find out they have broken up right after an album or two, and I give up or get distracted. No excuse. I should pay more attention to you, I'm so sorry. Here you are pouring your heart in to your music and I'm off listening to some, mediocre at best "new sound". Will you ever forgive me?
One such event happened this week.
This week is one of my "lucky" weeks where I can actually treat myself to new music. Not a client's, not a recommendation...but music that I've sought out and found. I love music hunting and hitting the gold mine.
In recent searches I've come across new artists like Jamie Leonhart (who is a marvelous musician out of the NY) and reconnected with one of my favorite folk artists Leona Naess.
But last night I came across a name I have not heard in at least 10 years - Mike Doughty (also out of the NY).
Mr. Doughty was in a band called Soul Coughing...one of their great songs named "Super Bon Bon" is frequently played in my vehicle. The entire album "irresistible bliss", released in 96, is one of those that I break out often enough to refresh the words in my head. Everytime I listen to it...I think "too bad they broke up", and like a schmuck I put it right back up on the shelf without following up.
Well last night upon music shopping I came across M. Doughty's discography and boy was I embarrassed. When I saw all of the music he has released over the past ten years my shoulders sank. I wanted to kick myself without even hearing any of it...I know I messed up, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I was apologizing to him under my breath, while cussing myself. Sound unheard - I made the snap decision to purchase everything available (not just his latest "Golden Delicious" released early 2008). I knew I wouldn't be dissappointed because I knew this was a guy who would produce quality.
I don't know how many of you take recommendations or if anyone even reads my drivel, but let me suggest you give him a chance. In today's mash of over processed, vocoder induced, empty lyric vocals....it's so flippin nice to come across someone who has no issue sticking with what works. If you're not familiar with his work....at the very least give "Looking At the World from the Bottom of a Well" a listen. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Sorry Mike, I'm an idiot...won't happen again.
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