References to the abuse of pink and octopi, a nudie flip book sequence with an ode to spider webs voice over and a series of all-to-brief, intimate conversational excerpts found in the trailer for Eileen Yaghoobian’s doc about rock posters all leave me hoping it way to the states much sooner than later.

The film’s description and featured artist list from the site only serve to hammer the anticipation home. See for yourself:

Died Young, Stayed Pretty is a candid look at the underground poster culture in North America. This unique documentary examines the creative spirit that drives these indie graphic artists. They pick through the dregs of America’s schizophrenic culture and piece them back together…Yaghoobian shows these artists for what they are: the vivisectionists of America’s morbidly obese consumer culture.

Brian Chippendale • Art Chantry • Print Mafia • Andrew Bird • DMBQ • Clyde Jones • Ron Liberti • Tom Hazelmyer • Stephen McClellan • Bryce McCloud • Seripop • Ames Bros • Methane Studios • El Bado/William Ballard • Tyler Stout • Rob Jones • Jay Ryan • Mat Daly • Nick Butcher • Keith Herzik • Steve Walters • Shawn Wolfe • Noel Waggener • Jeff Kleinsmith • Mig Kokinda • Dale Flattum • Mike King • Dan Schlissel • Stainboy • Uncle Charlie • American Poster Institute

via: Eileen Yaghoobian / diedyoungstayedpretty.com

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My friend Jess Gibson has been busy in the NEMO basement making strides on his side film project with Portland designer Aaron Draplin appropriately titled, The Draplin Thing. From the sound of things at Jess’s site, editing is closing in on completion — just as soon as they get back from the World’s Largest Yard Sale.

Check out the new trailer (Draplin vs. USA) and join us in the ranks of those eagerly awaiting a deeper look into the mind of a true American original.

via: Jess Gibson / Draplin Design Co., North America

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“Dan’s work bears the hallmark of his intelligence…”
—Liz Siegel, The Art Institute of Chicago

Artist, photographer and old friend Dan Estabrook, who’s show I recently posted about, has been included in Anthropy Arts, The Photographers Series. A new DVD series that provides the first comprehensive study of today’s most influential photographers.

That’s perfectly fitting description of Dan and his decades-long exploration of vision and technique which began around the time of our late-night Harvard darkroom stints, when he would sneak me in between skate and zine-making sessions.

From Anthropy Arts:

Working exclusively in 19th century processes, Dan Estabrook produces intimate, yet compelling photographs that illustrate the beauty of long forgotten methods.
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Dan Estabrook discovered photography through the underground magazines of the punk-rock and skateboard culture of the 1980’s. As an undergraduate at Harvard, he worked with Christopher James, from whom he learned alternative photographic processes as well as ways to combine his disparate artistic interests.

It’s great to see another document serving up the recogntion Desta deserves. 

Dan’s skate zine Contort is also traveling with the show, There Is Xerox on the Insides of Your Eyelids.

The Photographers Series: Dan Estabrook (trailer)

via: Anthropy Arts / Pathetica / Desta: Flickr

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Here’s a re-up of David Lynch’s Ghost of Love from the Inland Empire soundtrack and a older post, with props for the curious folks that let me know that the previous link was dead. Communication is always welcome and appreciated. Well, almost always, I suppose (although some spam is ridiculous enough to actually enjoy). Said exceptions aside, notification of the need for re-ups are never filed under that category, so thanks again.

And a funny thing happened on the way to this re-up…

While in the process of digging for a new header/gallery link image, I was reminded of a scene in Inland Empire that reminded me of one from another film. The film, Meshes of the Afternoon by Maya Deren had such an impact on me as a young film student (preparing to drop out of art school to work at a skateboarding magazine) that I named my daughter after the woman who made it.

I wonder if Lynch intended the shot as an homage? It wouldn’t surprise me at all considering Deren was as much of a risk-taking, visual-narrative driven, abstract filmmaker as Lynch. She hasn’t been referred to as the High Priestess of Experimental Cinema for nothing. Plus, Meshes of the Afternoon deals with transitive states of consciousness shot in a nearly seamless linear flow, leaving a more obscure line for the viewer to strain their mind in their attempt to follow. Classic Lynch, classical Deren…

Although I’ve got a more focused post about Deren in the works, in the spirit of serendipity, homage and the Silver Jews’ Open Field nod I’m about to post about, I thought I’d upload the scenes from both for your own comparison, edification and amusement.

Screens via the image above, Ghost of Love re-up below.

David Lynch: Ghost of Love (9.2mb, mp3.zip, MF)

Previous, link-laden s|b posts:
strange what love does
strange what love does (redux)

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One of the first posts here was centered around David Lynch’s latest and most impactful movies to date, Inland Empire. I have yet to set my thoughts and interpretations to keyboard (which means I probably won’t) but suffice it to say, Inland Empire inspired plenty. As if the novel process by which it was “written” and the fact that it was shot entirely in low res digital weren’t inspiring enough…

“Film, at least for me, is dead. I never want to go back. Even thinking about it now makes me feel weak and sick.” —David Lynch, AE

I’ve been looking forward to the DVD release of Inland Empire not only because it offered a third of many more viewings to come, but because it suggested that the soundtrack would become available too. More specifically, it meant that I’d finally get my hands on a full-length version of Ghost of Love, one of Lynch’s own additions to the score. Initially heard on the first trailer, it has haunted me ever since.

Toward the exorcism of such ghosts and as a completion to this thread, Ghost of Love can be found below. I’ve also included links to several interviews with Lynch covering topics related to Inland Empire ranging from influences, process, digital cinematography and transcendental meditation.

David Lynch: Ghost of Love (9.2MB, mp3.zip, mediafire)

Inland Empire: DVD (Limited Edition) / Soundtrack
Interviews: AE / Salon / RS / Brattle Theatre (intro /q&a) via: Bradley’s Almanac

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David Lynch: Ghost of Love (excerpt, ~1MB)

To continue (and end) the whole ‘fitting’ theme started in the first post, here’s an excerpt from Ghost of Love grabbed from the trailer for David Lynch’s newest film, Inland Empire (pre-order here). Seems like another collaboration with Angelo Badalamenti, judging by the glaring similarities found in the jangled, dreamy sounds heard in the bar scene from Fire Walk With Me. After some deeper listening and further reading it also turns out that the Billy Holiday-ish vocals are Lynch’s own.

Of further interest to Lynch fans, not only is Twin Peaks Season 2 soon to be released on DVD, it would appear that DL is also pushing his own signature brand coffee now.

Intended to be served black as midnight on a moonless night, no doubt.

Inland Empire US Trailer 1
Inland Empire US Trailer 2
Inland Empire Italian Trailer

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