I'm all about collecting. If someone leaves me a cool note, if I like a picture, or if someone sends me a postcard, it's just one of the many opportunities I take to cycle inspiration around the bulletin boards above my desk. I think it's important to surround ourselves with things that trigger memories, influence our thoughts, and remind us of our aspirations. My boards are busy, but purposely so. I like that I can still look at them and see something in a way I might not have before. It's a simple concept, but I like inspiration that comes cheap. Here are some of the items on my boards at the moment.
Back in 2006 I marvelled at the release of Love, a new album of ambient remixes and mashups designed in large part by the Beatles original producer, George Martin. Although I had already been an avid fan of the Beatles I was really just starting to get passed the basics and was hungry for anything that gave me a different perspective on what the band did. The idea that there was an accompanying show in Las Vegas put on by Cirque du Soleil was equally as exciting, and although I was a broke film student at the time I knew that I'd get there to see it one day. That day finally came in 2008. And again in 2009. To be honest, it won't be the last either. With a trip to Las Vegas becoming increasingly overdue, I have no qualms about return visits to the spectacle that is Love. I figured I could go on and on about the show, but then realized I could just let you see for yourself. Cheers to new epic adventures (maybe something like this) in the new year!
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.
A single a day keeps your creativity in play. Join me as I share some of my fav tunes in an effort to pay the inspiration forward. Inspired Singles: Issue 10 by Luke Fandrich
This 10th Issue of Inspired Singles has been published on 10/10/10 at 10:00am. Got to Get You Into My Life by The Beatles
It's tough for me to believe that anyone could go wrong with the Beatles, because I could listen to their entire catalogue over and over again (and have). But one of my favorite tracks from their 1966 album, Revolver has to be this one. Got to Get You Into My Life is so perfectly direct and passionate. It's like seeing your dream girl and instantly letting your mind flash forward to consider how perfect it would be - you just have to meet her. With that kind of excitement in the mix, it certainly helps that you can belt this tune out with a lot of enthusiasm.
A slow but motivated tune, Silvia joins a long list of great songs about a woman's name. Miike Snow's self-titled debut album has a really cool sound in general. Modern, synth-riffed, and catchy, with good hooks, and singable lyrics throughout - but for me, Silvia is the real standout. It's a cool mix of frustration, heartbreak, and acceptance.
A mellow introduction transforms into a well-messaged indie rock track in Always Love. The chorus 'Always love. Hate will get you every time' seems to ring more and more true with each listen. It holds the distinction of being one of those rare songs that you can listen to when your sad or rock out to when your happy.
I'm sure you've wondered how you'll be remembered thousands of years from now or maybe you've even gone out of your way to try and leave your mark - but in all seriousness we'll probably be remembered exactly like the Beatles in this hilarious clip from scottgairdner.com.
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!
Whenever I feel compelled to divert my posts away from my own work, I'd like to think that it's to share something above average. Not a mere viral video, but something that showcases true creativity. Enter the trailer for the Beatles Rockband game.
I've immersed myself in the music and history of the Beatles since my early teenage years - to say they're my favourite band is an understatement. This trailer, which is technically the intro to the game itself, is a beautiful animation! The execution and transition through Beatles trademark moments is mesmorizing and incredibly clever. It's a must see . . . I can't wait to pick up a copy for myself. Damn those clever advertisers making me want this even more! Enjoy!
This short film, I Met The Walrus was nominated last year for Best Animated Short at the Oscars. You can finally see the full 5 minute film on YouTube, and it's absolutely worth it. The animation and story behind the film is so cool. Speaking of which, here's the back story:
'In 1969, a 14-year-old Beatle fanatic named Jerry Levitan, armed with a reel-to-reel tape deck, snuck into John Lennon's hotel room in Toronto and convinced John to do an interview about peace. 38 years later, Jerry has produced a film about it. Using the original interview recording as the soundtrack, director Josh Raskin has woven a visual narrative which tenderly romances Lennon's every word in a cascading flood of multipronged animation. Raskin marries the terrifyingly genius pen work of James Braithwaite with masterful digital illustration by Alex Kurina, resulting in a spell-binding vessel for Lennon's boundless wit, and timeless message'.
So why is it that if you're a creative person you're not supposed to enjoy the mainstream? This debate has been ongoing since my early university days, and I still don't understand this artistic shunning by artistic types. I mean it's one thing if you have no cultural perspective of what's out there, that's just being ignorant or clueless, but if you are aware of popular culture and then decide to hate it simply because it's popular culture . . . what? why do that?
What inpsired this discussion today was a visit to my facebook site where I found myself comparing my movie ratings on flickster to other people I knew. For the most part there were subtle variations in ratings (obviously we can't all like the same things) but then there were a select few people, other film types, who liked almost no popular films!
Okay, so to each his own, but are these people being honest or just trying to make a statement? 'You can't possibly hate all those movies' I thought, the only common factor when you rate all the movies listed badly is that they're considered popular. Why should that be such a turn off? Personally, my own critical view of film has always been from the glass half full camp. I generally love most movies, indies to blockbusters, foriegn to student, romance to action, I watch and own the spectrum. It seems wise to me, especially if you're in a creative field to try and educate yourself by seeing what people are putting out there. Especially when it comes to things that lots of other people are paying to experience.
It is true that some films are over produced products to be consumed, but generally, there's still something to be appreciated in these films. Let's look at this from a musical perspective. The Beatles were huge, the mainstream, the pulse of the 1960's, and at the same time were injecting brilliant writing, composition and style into the culture. If you were to disregard their impact, you wouldn't just be disregarding what the Beatles were, you'd be disregarding a culture of influence that has spanned decades and inspired countless other musicians. In the same light, to disregard big budget films (in some respects) is to disregard the advancement of the industry and the climax of what artists are feeding off of today.
This isn't about being brainwashed and not thinking for yourself, it's about enjoying the things that are so easily available to be enjoyed. The one argument that drives me crazy is other filmmakers saying they haven't seen and won't see Titanic. Now put aside any ill-will you may hold yourself and consider this. If you were working to become a better filmmaker and someone said they had the highest grossing film in all of cinematic history for you to watch, wouldn't you be the least bit curious to see why it did so well? It's not a matter of being forced to like it, it's a matter of being open enough to say that it's in my best interest to absorb as much of what others create to make me more aware of my own contributions. And, with something as big, as successful and as rare as a film like Titanic, who are you really proving things to by not seeing it. You're only putting yourself more out of the loop. Some movies are just a right of passage, I mean who wouldn't want to see Star Wars just for the sake of seeing the inspiration for all the parodies?
I really don't get some people, but I guess we all do what suites are own personalities. I think I'm taking more of the American Beauty (1999) approach, "there's just so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life".
There's just so much creativity to appreciate, I don't see the justice in denying anything simply because other people like it . . . be it one person or a million. Wise up artsy folk! For the rest of us, let's get back to enjoying :)
So it instantly gets attention because of the Beatles tunes, but what do you think of the movie? Have you seen it yet?
I hope to catch it within the week. I've got to come clean that I'm a pretty big Beatles junkie so I feel obligated to check it out even if the critics rip it apart. The covers are pretty good from what I've downloaded, and how can the music suck considering the source? I'm certainly intrigued!
Summer school has officially wrapped and once again I'm feeling great about what I did and worse about what I didn't. It's in the past now though and I'm ready to move forward.
More than ever I feel motivated for my final year. I've had this anxious feeling before, but this is actually the beginning of the end. To be fair, I really don't have anything to say here that I haven't said before . . . or at least I'm not in the mood to write myself a pep-talk.
I'm tired of not caring about my classes, and I'm tired of questioning all of the things that I don't like doing as an excuse not to do them. I have one last year, and with a bit of extra effort I know it's going to be great.
I went out and bought Paul McCartney's Memory Almost Full today which seems relevant given my current thoughts about school again. I'll never tire of learning, and even if for some odd reason I did how could a person ever really stop? I think I'm ready to start rethinking some things, preparing myself, and amp myself up about university one more time. Things are going to change again. For now it's time to celebrate, relax, and maybe just Dance Tonight:
