Bewitched by George Barnett

Big fan. So good.

An Underwater Music Video Project

It's been several years since I last caught up with Alex Lamburini. I interviewed him in 2009 when he was still in high school with big aspirations for pursuing a career in film. He's now doing just that as a film student, and recently he got in touch to drum up some support for his latest project on Indiegogo. Check it out! 

Miami DJ Drops Base... Underwater

New York, NY – Produced by Emerson College student filmmakers, Alex Lamburini and Dylan Greiss, The Mence “Enrapture” music video is sure to mesmerize, entertain and mix-up the very fabric of the typical music video format. This music video seeks to change the music video game by visually showing that music has the power to entrance and affect the mood of its listeners.

The music video will be taking an average and overused concept and putting a major spin on it. In this music video, an entire pool party will be taken into the pool, literally. Lounge chairs, the DJ and his turntables, party-goers, drinks, LED lights, plant-life and just about anything else you can imagine coming across at your typical summer pool party. We’re literally submerging an entire pool party to bring the pool party into the pool.

Mence, the featured artist in the music video, is a talented Miami based DJ who produces progressive house music like his song, “Enrapture”. Mence’s music captures the perfect sound for both an above-water party and an underwater party. The euphoric beats of “Enrapture” highlight the typical party atmosphere that we all know and love, which, in tandem with the visuals, will allow a viewer to feel like he is at the party, traveling through the crowds and going for the underwater party adventure of his or her life.

This ambitious project, being put together by talented Emerson College film students, is no easy task. Not only does the concept require funding, but also immense creativity, problem solving skills and a great deal of marketing and producing work. This group of talented student artists and filmmakers hope to prove the importance and hard work involved in any form of creating artwork. They are dedicated to showing the public that young artists can achieve ideas and concepts never before attempted and because of this, they are donating any money raised above their budget to a charity devoted to funding, supporting and fostering art in schools and in youth communities.  

Check out more information on the Mence “Enrapture” underwater music video project on our official website: http://www.mencemusicvideo.com. Also, be sure to visit our Indiegogo fundraiser:http://igg.me/at/menceunderwatermusicvideo/x/3510060.

A Final Goodbye for Bonny

Over the weekend my family reunited for my Aunt Bonny's memorial in Calgary. We hadn't all been together since my Grandma's funeral last fall, which was a clear reminder of what an eventful year it's been for our group. Despite the circumstances, it was a good day filled with tears, laughter, stories and music. One that I'm sure will be remembered for how uplifting and positive it was.

My cousin Leslie documented her mom's memorial and shared her heartfelt experience here. Many members of our family got up to speak, and I read the letter that I had given to my aunt when I first went to visit her in the hospital (which I posted here). Later in the evening Leslie's husband, Chris shared his song Paper Airplane that he wrote for Bonny. It was a touching tribute, and one of the highlights in a celebration that I know Bonny would have been proud of. When all was said and done, I was fixated on one thought: I'm lucky to have all of these amazing people in my life.

Campy Christmas Records

As I only had a couple of Christmas records and a USB record player last year, you could say that things have been a bit more entertaining after setting up my Grandma's old record player and going through her vintage collection.  I should clarify that in this case vintage doesn't mean hip or trendy.  It means old, kind of cheesy, and very German. 

I still have Frosty the Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas which were more recent finds, but I have to admit that I've really enjoyed getting to know Ivan Rebroff, the Jack Halloran Singers, and James Last to name a few.  In fairness, none of the records sound as surprising as their album covers look.  Christmas music hasn't evolved nearly as much as style has, and frankly that's what makes it fun.

Inspired Singles: Call Your Girlfriend

Issue 28: Call Your Girlfriend by Robyn

Robyn's awesome album, Body Talk was released late last year and since then I've found myself continually adding a few of her songs into my rotation (notably Dancing on My Own, Indestructible, and Hang With Me).  It was then an awesome surprise to see Robyn on Saturday Night Live this last weekend singing Call Your Girlfriend.  

As far as high-energy electronic pop is concerned, Robyn is among the best out there in my opinion.  Listen to a few of her latest tracks and tell me you don't feel like moving. You might not agree right away, but after listening to a few of her albums you really have to give this Swedish import credit for bringing something fresh to what's become an incredibly over-saturated genre.

Inspired Singles: Who Says

Issue 26: Who Says by John Mayer

There are some tracks that when you hear them you instantly connect with the story that they present.  Who Says by John Mayer is one of those tunes for me.  I actually find the whole album, Battle Studies to be that way.  Call it selfish or even a bit shallow, I call it an appreciation for single life and short term relationships.

It's what I like about this song in particular, it always reminds me of those late nights when I'm busy working or after I've just come home from an evening with friends and just feel like chilling out at my place.  I like feeling like there's still a lot of potential out there and that it's cool for me to do what makes me happy even if it's not what others expect or would do themselves.  I'm an independent guy and this is an independent guys song.   

Inspired Singles: Paradise

Issue 25: Paradise by Coldplay

Today is the release date for Coldplay's brand new album, Mylo Xyloto.  To be perfectly honest, it's one of the few albums that I'm going out of my way to pick up a hard copy of this year because I'm just that pumped about it!

The single, Paradise embodies that signature Coldplay sound; ambient, driving, enthusiastic, thoughtful, poetic.  It, along with Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, have been perfect lead ins to what is sure to be another monumental album for the group.  It's been a while since I've been this charged about a release date, but it feels good to be so excited. 

When Viva la Vida was released in 2008 it felt significant because I had just started working with Stream Media (had really just got out of university) and went with my friend Julie to pick up the album.  In 2005 I remember going to get X&Y after listening to it constantly while I was driving around on my forklift as SF Scotts - a summer job I had between semesters at film school.  The stories continue, but I feel like I can remember going to get every Coldplay album and what I had going on at the time.

This is going to be a great week!

Inspired Singles: Black Sand

Issue 24: Black Sand by Applause

A little bit of attitude, a mellow beat, and a chic conceptual music video all work to the benefit of Applause's track Black Sand.  If there's anything I can thank iTunes for, it's creating a chain of linked artists so that I can explore and search until I come across hundreds of groups that I've never even heard of before.  I love stumbling onto stuff like this and then exploring who the artists really are.

Inspired Singles: Could It Be

Issue 21: Could It Be by Mackintosh Braun

Sometimes my connection to what I consider an inspired single comes from how the song fits with what I'm feeling when I first discover it.  This couldn't be more true than with Mackintosh Braun's relatively recent track, Could It Be off of their latest album Where We Are. 

It seems this year has been a mix of trying to balance my desire to grow and feel challenged with the reality that last year I managed to achieve a lot of the things I had been working towards since film school.  In short I've spent a lot of time brainstorming and trying to figure out what I want to do next.  The process sometimes adds more stress than anything, and then I'm left wondering why I'm purposefully frustrating myself.

The chorus of Could It Be echoes my sentiments perfectly - "could it be enough to only stay right here, could it be enough never needing more"?  The truth is that it's probably not, but that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate where I'm at for the time being.  It's the great dilemma we all face, to continue seeking new adventures or to be satisfied with the ones we've already had.  This is a great single to get lost in.

Inspired Singles: Detroit '67

Issue 20: Detroit '67 by Sam Roberts

Take a bit of history, some classic vintage footage, throw in some jaunty piano with a carefree bar crowd, and you've got Detroit '67 by Sam Roberts.  This isn't the first time that Sam has popped up in my Inspired Singles or on this blog - I saw him in Regina a few times, and he performed at the university for welcome week one year. 

With his signature folk rock sound, Roberts tells a story of Detroit in its heyday with almost care-free poetics that make you revel in both the history of Motown and the song itself.  Love at the End of the World is the third studio album from Roberts, and quickly became one of my favorites when it came out in 2008.  With Detroit having faced such a dramatic economic shift, more on that here, I just love the nostalgia and optimism of this track - that, and the music video is a work of editing art.

Inspired Singles: Don't Haunt This Place

Issue 19: Don't Haunt This Place by the Rural Alberta Advantage

I remember in 2009 falling for the RAA when I came across their album, Hometowns.  Their music is a raw blend of indie rock, pop, and prairie sentiment.  With track titles like, The Dethbridge in Lethbridge and Edmonton I was intrigued (as an Albertan) before I even knew much about them.

It's not often that I come across music that mentions places I have a close connection to that isn't country music.  That's not to say it isn't there - and the Rural Alberta Advantage is the proof.  

Don't Haunt This Place is one of my favorite songs of theirs, but truthfully, I'm still hooked on the entire album.  A choppy drum beat, raw harmonies, and expressive lyrics pull you in from the start and charm you with their unassuming simplicity.  The Rural Alberta Advantage is a must have. 

Will Smith Medley by Pearl and the Beard

From mashup artists like DJ Earworm to indie cover acts like Pomplamoose, YouTube has been amazing for randomly introducing me to some very cool musical groups and videos.  This Will Smith Medley by Pearl and the Beard is both a cover and mashup in the best sense of the style - and once again proves that there are lots of clever ways to get yourself noticed.  

Inspired Singles: Lay Lady Lay

Issue 18: Lay Lady Lay by Magnet Feat. Gemma Hayes

Written and made popular by Bob Dylan, this cover of Lay Lady Lay by Magnet and Gemma Hayes was enough to encourage me to buy their entire album On Your Side.  What I love about the song in general is how it floats from chord to chord.  There's a relaxed groove about it, perfect for . . . well, you know.  

The cover really plays up the weight of the song while replacing Dylan's raspy style with a smooth and more ambient interpretation.  Don't get me wrong, I like both versions.  This one just doesn't remind me of my parents generation as much - given the subject matter that's a huge plus.
 

Inspired Singles: Your Mother Should Know

Issue 17: Your Mother Should Know by The Beatles

While it's tough for me to talk about any Beatles tune like it's a hidden gem, Your Mother Should Know is perhaps one of their lesser known successes that I always get a kick out of.  I love the weight and jaunty tone of this track in particular.  It remains upbeat but restrained from the rambunctious style that highlights so many other Beatles hits.

The Magical Mystery Tour is one of my favorite albums of all time!  But look at the tracks listed on the cover art - they could all be considered inspired singles for numerous reasons.

 

Inspired Singles: I'm Running

Issue 15: I'm Running by Misstress Barbara (feat. Sam Roberts)

This track has been a regular favorite for the last year, and usually ends up in various playlists that I like to listen to while driving.  An enthusiastic beat accompanies forward thinking lyrics - it's tough to listen to it and not think about moving. 

Sam Roberts has been a favorite of mine since I was first introduced to his music back in high school.  I've seen him in concert a couple of times, and actually met him in person once when a couple of friends and I were hanging out at the Arts Centre in Regina.  His presence here is why I discovered the track in the first place and then came to explore the electronic musings of Misstress Barbara.

I always like learning about new Canadian artists as it makes me feel more connected to what's going on in my own backyard.  Check out the music video to see this duo run around Toronto.

Inspired Singles: What is Happening

Issue 14: What is Happening by Alphabeat

This was one of those songs that I fell in love with after following a chain of videos on YouTube. Once I got hooked on Alphabeat's videos, I realized how much I loved their songs too when they'd be stuck in my head in the middle of the afternoon.

Alphabeat is a Danish pop group and they embody the best elements of the genre. Spirited, high energy, great chorus' and hooks, the way Alphabeat mixes a lot of electro-synth into many of their songs is so current that in 10 years it'll be ideal kitsch. The point is you can tell they're having fun with their music, and for kicking back that's the kind of thing I like to listen to.

What is Happening is a more mainstream track for the group, but it's a nice introduction if you've never heard of them before. Personally, I find a lot of the remixes to be absolutely stellar and perfect for dancing in your computer chair if you're into that kind of thing - I'm not ashamed to say that I am. Have a listen below and search out Alphabeat for more.

Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie

It's easy to get hooked on a good music video, and even easier if you like the song. To tell the truth, it was the stop motion that pulled me in before I actually started to like the track. I've come across several stop motion shorts lately that are nothing less than amazing examples of skilled editing. For starters, check out the music video for Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie below.

Happy Up Here - Royksopp

A good music video, in my opinion, is more than just shots of a band or artist with quick jump cuts. What I love about the genre in general is how music videos make it acceptable to merge experimental art with mainstream audiences. You can focus on bold textures, colours, patterns, and imagery in ways that contribute to an overall emotion or visual theme - versus a traditional plot arch.

Happy Up Here is eye candy to me. Flashing lights, smooth computer transitions, and dated facades help to create an urban carnival/living arcade game with punchy logos and pop art thrown in for good measure. The depth and hand held ambiance of this chaotic environment creates a powerful framework for an otherwise 'open' musical arrangement. Strong stylistic choices really make the song for me - yet one more example of how a great music video has just as much influence as a great song.

The Beatles Love & I Love Them Back!

Right now is the perfect time to be a Beatles fan! Short of being around in the 1960s, the re-release and new focus on the Beatles music and history is a playground for someone like me, along with countless other fans.

While a lot of effort was put into getting the Beatles albums years ago, it's not the re-releases I'm excited about. Truth be told, it's not all the magazines (despite buying them) that really swept me away either. No, the real treat and surprise in this whole reintroduction has been the limited edition release of Beatles Rockband that came out just a little over a week ago.

Yes, I bought it.

I opted for the limited edition with the replica of Paul's Hofner bass, which is really cool. For those of you who don't know, the Rockband instruments (guitars and drums) are actually wireless controllers themselves and don't require you to stick your Wii remote into them to make them work (like in Guitar Hero for Wii). And, much better than some decal or sticker, the finish of the Beatles instruments is top notch.

There's never been a shortage of Beatles merchandise to acquire, but for any fan of the music, this is a great time to get a taste. The Beatles Rockband remains my favorite thing to come out of all of this, and I'm sure I'll be playing it for months to come.

You can check out the amazingly beautiful intro cartoon to the Beatles Rockband below. I love how it seemlessly transitions through moments in Beatles history. Enjoy, and maybe get out there to experience some of this Beatles revival for yourself!

Siblings (2008)

My sister was visiting and I said to her, like I say to almost everyone I know, 'We should make a movie'! It was July 2008 and I had the rough idea for Siblings in the back of my mind for a while. Nothing complicated, just a little flick about sibling rivalry and a punchline. The kind of short that doesn't take long to set up, and is so much more about playing around than specific shots.

While this project is far from my most ambitious work, it's the kind of short that I hope to make a lot more of.

With all the film school projects I feel like my portfolio is already heavily weighted in experiments, art shorts, video poems, etc. and the random comedies that everyone else uploads on YouTube are something that I'd like to have more of myself - even if it's just to attract a few more like-minded viewers. Pull 'em in with the popcorn flicks, make 'em stay for the art.

Siblings was almost entirely devised on the spot. Like I said, I had a rough idea about my sister and I playing in the playground entirely because it just seemed like it'd be funny. The punchline of the short was a product of the shoot. Originally, the ending we discussed involved my sister and I sitting on a park bench, my sister still grumpy and emotionless, we're both drinking slurpees. I'm beaming ear to ear after playing on all the equipment, my sister chucks her slurpee at me and says 'Now can we do something that I want to do'!



That ending would've worked well too I think, but the idea for the change came on the walk back from getting the slurpees. We thought it would be a funny twist if instead of being emotionless the whole time, my sister finally cracks on the merry-go-round and has a bit of fun . . . which ultimately leads to the revised twist. And there's the dynamic between my sister and myself in a nutshell - at least in my comedic view.

A couple months later, I was playing with the Siblings footage trying out some new filters and effects that I had just purchased. What resulted was a the Siblings Remix, mainly just an animated music video playing on the footage we shot that day cut to a remix of Coldplay's Viva la Vida. The remix video doesn't really add anything new, but as far as editing exercises go it was fun to make and seemed worth sharing. The animated nature of the footage was perfect for trying different things, so I guess it was only a matter of time before something else came out of it. For being so simple, it sure makes for an entertaining family home video.

Also, check out the surprsing sequel, Siblings 2!