Suggested Viewing - Once

Today the Content would like to continue with its summer movie recommendations with a film whose story finds its feet planted firmly in music. Once is being described as a modern musical where the songs are integrated seamlessly into the film without sensational dance numbers and over the top costumes. The film’s premise is simple where the relationship between the characters develops through their collaboration in song writing and recording. Throughout the film the musical numbers are displayed more as a progression of the songwriting process and the pair’s collaboration.

The film is somewhat a reflection of the real lives of the film’s actors, played by Glen Hansard (of Irish rock mainstay the Frames) and Czech songwriter Marketa Irglova who previously had met to write songs for the soundtrack. With writing and directing credits going to previous Frames bassist, John Carney, and some of the film’s scenes being filmed in Hansard’s flat, the film takes on a representation of the real life of all those involved in the film’s production.

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are now on a promotional tour for Once playing songs as the Swell Season. The couple is doing a taping of the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson tomorrow followed up with a gig at the El Rey.

Once is playing in selected theaters. (Fandango)



8/1/07 – The Swell Season @ the El Rey - $16 SOLD OUT

[mp3] The Swell Season – Lies

| Official Site | Myspace | More mp3s | Buy Once (Music From the Motion Picture) |

Suggested Viewing: The Mo (Feat Kris Le Mans) - Nostalgia Locomotiv

[mov] The Mo feat: Kris Le Mans - "Nostalgia Locomotiv"

Not much is known about the defunct Swedish pop band The Mo, but as the song name would indicate this video is one melodramatic choo-choo. I can bet it won’t be a video you’ve seen before, and if given a chance you might find yourself nostalgic enough at the end to watch it a second time.

Nostalgia Locomotive, released in 2004, unabashedly glams back to misfit duets of the 70’s (ELO, Bowie, Klaus Nomi). The video, one-take and one tracking shot, offers some charm and some orange hair, and some serious pining. Even boys in dresses miss their ladies lost. I couldn’t find much information on Miss Kris Le Mans, but she’s not working with the worst haircut either.

“Whatever you do, don’t look at the camera.” - Of Leaf and Lime

Suggested Viewing: Mark James - Candylion

UPDATE: Sorry for the bad link - It's all good now!

[www] Mark James - Gruff Rhys - "Candylion"

Candylion is the second solo slash side project album of Super Furry Animals frontman, Gruff Rhys. That’s his name and the band’s name. Lots of pretty cascading choruses, and acoustic accompaniment from what little I have heard. I can promise an occasional keyboard samba beat as well. If you liked SFA you’ll enjoy this. It’s sweet and nice.

The newscast - craft show form of this video is immediately pleasing in all its deadpan nonchalance. I love the glances back and forth and the cut out cut–a–ways. Hard to beat a good teleprompter stare, and a fake mustache over a real mustache.

Today's episode instructs us in making our own construction paper lion figurine. King of the sweetart jungle. It doesn’t hurt that Miss Lisa Jën, (joining Gruff Rhys on a few tracks from the album) is a complete doll herself. You know you fall hard when she does that little shoulder shrug.

Suggested Viewing: Shawn Kim - Turnstyle Blues

[mov] Shawn Kim: Autolux - "Turnstyle Blues"

When I first saw it, I sent this video to my roommate Grant. He wrote back:

“That's sex in a bottle.”

Pretty well sums it up.

This video was my first introduction to Autolux; a noisy drony sort of My Bloody Valentine Los Angelean pop band. As you watch, your first comment will likely be how mean that beat is. Indeed. Carla Azar (who’s talents were recently mentioned of in our Pity Party interview) is one funky drummer you need not give back ta James.*

Predominantly a cinematographer, Shawn Kim also directs this video for "Turnstyle Blues." Friend and DP of director Patrick Daughters, Kim was behind camera on the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s - Maps, Kings Of Leon - King Of The Rodeo, Death Cab For Cutie’s - Title & Registration etc... There should be badges your mom sews on when stuff’s this good. We see his distinctive beautiful dark polish again here, with a few additions.

The multiple monitors are wonderful. Each screen its own canvas, allowing the camera to pan through angles and images without cutting away. Swaying past blown out lights aimed towards camera, everything given a cool green hue.

The use of black is great. How fading in and out of it keeps time, and creates edits; adding tone rather than merely holding place as "nothing."

Everyone should be checking out Autolux's first album (Future Perfect) now. A sophomore release is pending for the end of this summer. Also look for an Autolux collaboration on the upcoming UNKLE record.

* Black Sheep Son

Suggested Viewing: Roman Coppola - Funky Squaredance

Loving the music video as I do, I want to start a new music video segment here on R’Content. Not so much reviews or even neccessarily new videos, just great ones people may not have seen or should see again.

There’s no real safe forum for videos these days. Our music channels have betrayed them (VH1 Classics I’m not talking about you), and they often get lost or missed on the internet. I know so few are worth anyone's time, but when done well they are so beautiful. The least we at the RC can do spread those we’ve loved around a little more.



[mov] Roman Coppola: Phoenix - "Funky Squaredance"

Phoenix seems like an oft’ dismissed band to me. Air’s old back-up band, Sofia’s new squeeze... There’s an elegant understatement to their danceable sound I think people overlook. I remember Alphabetical feeling bland at first and then ending up having to listen to If Its Not With You everyday for weeks.

Roman Coppola’s video for this song (Funky Squaredance: featuring Pheonix bassist, Deck d'Arcy’s mother's choral society in addition to the rest of the band) is great, and as with the bands albums in the past at first I wasn’t sure.

Call it "post modern," a "meta video," whatever. I was an English major, do what you need. I just like that it’s something different. It’s personal, and interesting, and clocking in at nearly 10 minutes; needed to be something unorthodox. I’m impressed that Phoenix chose this song for a video in the first place.

The “two videos at once” idea is good. Go ahead and watch the video and you’ll know what I’m writing about. It's like watching Land of the Lost and Magnum P.I. at the same time, one on each eye. Roman’s sorta full of great ideas though isn’t he? He’s got one up at Roman Coppola Studios for a Movie Hotel that I think would go over brilliantly, and my homegirl Broek & I went to Musso and Franks twice on his recommendation. The flannel cakes (and decor) were indeed delicious.

Enjoy the conversation this one has with you. Its a good first post I think, as it sticks to your ribs a little even if you don't have the attention span. Peace out. The Cosmos.