Well, the innocent excitement and hype surrounding Christopher Nolan’s conclusion to his Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, turned to horror. After a lone gunman killed twelve and injured dozens more at a midnight showing in Colorado. But I hate to see this turned into a political issue or a knee jerk call to action. A friend wrote “be careful and skeptical of anyone attempting to hold up a tragedy such as this shooting as a reason for doing anything or thinking anything or passing any laws. Be mindful. It’s after tragedy that our wits are most weary.” So true.
In other bummertown news, local bassist and Urban Bean barista Matt Call was the victim of a hit and run recently (he was opening the driver’s door of his car in front of the coffee shop, in broad daylight, when he was “struck and tossed” 25 feet by a passing sport-utility vehicle). He is currently in the ICU after suffering extensive injuries including two broken femurs, a cracked pelvis, and spinal fractures, which will require months of recovery. But there are some good people in this town hosting a benefit show for him next week. Or you can donate online here.
In happier news, I finally watched the Swedish Sound of Noise full length last night (I’d pre-ordered the DVD months ago but then took my time watching it once it arrived). It’s a full length featuring the performers who made Music for One Apartment and Six Drummers.
The narrative revolves around police officer Amadeus Warnebring, tone-deaf scion of a distinguished musical family, and his attempts to track down a group of six guerilla percussionists whose anarchic public performances are terrorizing the city. The drumming set pieces correspond to an avant-garde score with four hilariously titled movements. Where the short involved the six drummers imaginatively using standard apartment furnishings as their instruments, the feature unleashes them on an unspecified city’s civic and cultural institutions. Including an amusing backstory for each of the soberly dressed drummers as well as their nemesis, music-hating investigator Warnebring, the film creates a treat for the eyes and ears from the dull, repetitive sounds of everyday life.
I freaking LOVED it. Then this morning I came across this. A much cheesier American sort of musical collaboration with five “piano guys” and 1 piano. Hmm. I do enjoy their Cello Wars lightsaber duel a bit more but they’re nowhere near as cool as the Swedes.
And this is just plain cool:
Former Throbbing Gristle singer Genesis P-Orridge will teach this summer at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. According to FACT, P-Orridge will be one of the special guests participating in the museum’s second annual series of “workshops, lectures and discussions,†aptly titled Summer School, which takes place at its PS1 space in Brooklyn. Participants of her workshop are “expected to look with great honesty and openness at the emotional journeys of their life to date and explore the creation of an intimate, personal, magical language.†Each workshop will culminate in a presentation open to the public on September 9th.
And lastly, on the lighter side…Scary Smash featuring Dave Foley, Joss Whedon & Kate Micucci - Written By A Kid, Episode 1: A monster, a milk truck, a S.Q.U.A.T. team leader named Gerald and an epic 7 day battle–all from the mind of 5-year-old Brett.
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