Revel in the Joia

by Ben Van on October 14, 2011

When I stop by The Strip Club Meat and Fish, Dan is usually behind the bar with a greeting and quick quip. The first time I met him he suggested that I try a drink containing Baileys and bacon whiskey. I was skeptical. I was wrong. Delicious. He’s a master of the mix – he even won best bartender of the Twin Cities a few years back.

As I enjoy my drink, he always asks about our movies and makes a few viewing suggestions of his own. Needless to say, we consider him a loyal Vaniard whether he likes it or not.

A few weeks back he threw a pack of four bottles in front of me – Joia natural soda. He tells me he created the recipes in his kitchen. Dan then combined his wicked recipes with the ingenuity of his partners Bob, Steven, and Carleton. Now Joia has arrived and distribution is growing.

I thank him for the gift and head home. Since they don’t contain caffeine, I crack one open before I retire for the evening – Black berry. Kick ass. I’m not a soda expert but I know what I like. Kick…ass.

The next day I drank all three of the other sodas. I’m not a fan of grapefruit but the Joia grapefruit soda rocks it. I even liked the coconut soda and I HATE coconut. I’m not sure how this is possible but I’ve learned to enjoy the magic instead of questioning it. I’m blown away.

Dan and his partners are definitely showing some cube with their creativity and passion. Vanish loves the fact that they’re doing the work and putting it our there for the world to enjoy. So is this a plug? Absolutely. Dan and his crew have earned it by doing their thing and producing a great experience.

So where can you pick some of this up? Currently Joia can be found at Lund’s, Byerly’s, Kowalski’s, and most of the co-ops in and around the Twin Cities, along with a generous handful of restaurants, coffee shops and delis. Check out joialife.com to get the full details.

So grab a Joia soda (or 4) and taste what it’s like to show some cube.

{ 0 comments }

| More

Priorities

by Ben Van on August 30, 2011

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill’s finance minister said Britain should cut arts funding to support the war effort.

Churchill’s response: “Then what are we fighting for?”

 

Show some cube.

 

{ 0 comments }

| More

Summertime Blues

by Ben Van on August 3, 2011

Greetings Vaniards –

You may have noticed our lack of productivity as of late. We blame the economy! Ok, it’s not the economy. We blame the Euro! Ok, it’s not the Euro. No wait! It is the Euro! Alright, it’s not. We blame the heat! Actually, that’s part of it. Summer is a crazy time for Mike and I in our pursuit to be responsible grown-ups. However, we can’t help thinking about ideas for the radio show or new movies, even while we’re busy with grown-up stuff. So we’re hoping by fall you’ll have more Vanish nonsense thrown in your face.

So thanks for checking in from time to time. In the meantime, feel free to explore our back catalogue of movies and radio shows.

If you don’t, at least check this out:

{ 1 comment }

| More

Don’t Lose Your Moments In Time

by Ben Van on July 6, 2011

Everyone’s seen things we wouldn’t believe. Including you. You need to share them through your art. Your moments contain visuals, thoughts, emotions, words and physical feelings. Use all of them or just one of them. Feed your art.

Show some cube,

{ 1 comment }

| More

One Favor

by Ben Van on June 29, 2011

Please read this. All of it.

Thanks Johnny. And thank you, Vaniards.

{ 0 comments }

| More

Make a Mistake

by Ben Van on June 8, 2011

David Lynch is a genius. I love his movies although I don’t fully understand half of them. Comprehension isn’t the point. Pushing the limits of filmmaking and the subsequent viewer reaction – that’s where it’s at. As big a fan as I am, I’ve never seen Twin Peaks. Well, now I’m diving in. I was fascinated to find out that there are several moments in the series that were actually mistakes. A misunderstood line by an actor, a faulty light, a grip in the background – and Lynch loved them so much that he kept them in. I’ve already experienced a couple of them and he was absolutely right. Life is full of mistakes, and they’re usually more interesting than the script.

In Sweet Damnation, Brody is all of a sudden holding a wine glass and a beer bottle after a cut. (Casey was just transporting the wine glass for Trista between shots). Mike and I thought it was funny so we kept it. That is still one of our favorite scenes.

So make some mistakes. And show some cubes….I mean cube.

{ 0 comments }

| More

Nostalgia

by Ben Van on May 26, 2011

Nostalgia literally means the pain from an old wound. It’s a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone. – Don Draper, Mad Men

I was 4 years old, going on 5. Life in the town of Forman, ND was big to a young kid but small to the rest of the world. On this very afternoon, my world was going to get much bigger. I was going to the movies for the first time.

Forman’s movie theatre only showed movies on Friday and Saturday. New movies didn’t swing around until months after the release. Except for this one – the biggest, baddest, rockin flick this side of the Mississippi!
And mom found it in her heart to let me go with some neighborhood kids and their babysitter.

We walked into a dingy but familiar array of cushioned seats. Teenagers were flirting and throwing popcorn at each other. Just when we thought it was safe, the lights went down. The subsequent trailers were getting in the way. My excitement rose to a fever pitch. And then the screen went black…then the heartbeat thumps of a baseline……….and the blackness turned to this:

The wound still pains me but I ache to return to it. Life is strange my friends. So is Flash Gordon.

Well, who wants to live forever?

DIIIIIVE!!!!!!!

{ 0 comments }

| More

Vanish on iTunes (LINK WORKS NOW)

by Ben Van on May 13, 2011

We’re certain this is the first sign of the apocalypse. The Vanish Old Time Radio is sitting pretty in iTunes. Check it out here. The episodes and subscription is all free for you Vaniards out there. If the spirit moves you, we’d love it if you left a rating and comment. We’ll brace ourselves. Thanks again. Now check this:

{ 0 comments }

| More

Vanish Old Time Radio #32

by Ben Van on May 2, 2011

Selfish Vanish, 12 giddies, Good-Bad-Weird, The National, E-B-A-Y and do-dads.

Vanish Old Time Radio #32 [ 43:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

{ 0 comments }

| More

Here’s Looking at You, Vaniards

by Ben Van on April 26, 2011

To the crew at Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Let us know when we need to cough.

To the ladies down at Spectrum services. Be still our beating hearts!

To our Canadian allies. Come on down and enjoy sunny Minnesota when you have a chance.

To the Mothman Professor. Our intense emotions are distorting our memory.

To the crew at The Strip Club Meat and Fish. Your delicious steaks inspire us to make movies…about steaks.

To our Vanish Old Time Radio call-ins. Thanks for the booty and not-so-booty calls.

To our Italian listeners. We’ll trade you some Grainbelt Premium for some red wine.

To the Wisconsin crew at Andis Company. My hound dog needs some biscuits!

To the Minneapolis Underground Film Festival. We concur that big screens are nice.

To the radio show sponsors. Thanks for the complementary Kazoo pants and bucket bamboo shoots.

To the Dubliner. Your popcorn and Guinness are the best thing since toaster strudel.

To our viewers at Concordia University in St. Paul. Hell, at least you’re not in Moorhead.

To the legend known as “The Dane.” The preacher did it – case closed – I’m out!

To Big Baby Titan. I appreciate your wide eyes and confused looks when we FaceTime.

To Spindrift. You should offer Mike’s solo cover of “Afternoon Delight” for the Twins 7th inning stretch.

To our secret admirer at the New Jersey Department of Transportation. We thought the flowers were lovely.

To our friends at Dennis Kirk. Ride motorcycles or die tryin.

To the French Vanish Resistance. Leave us a message in French and we’ll translate to our own liking.

To the Legends. Thanks for watching yourselves at least 3 times a week.

To the Danish 10 Gallon Gang. It’s all about respect.

To the Rock Solid crew. Don’t try to talk shop when me and Mike are talking shop!

To the Denver Dre. Why don’t you get married? Helllll yeah!

To our friend Wally. Thanks for putting a smile on Lisa’s face.

To all of you reading this post. Show some cube.

And now ladies and gentleman, the human beat box…

{ 0 comments }

| More

Stupid Explosion Scenes Pt. II

by Ben Van on April 19, 2011

In the last Vanish Old Time Radio episode we vented our frustration with slow-mo walking scenes with explosions in the background. I believe the following clip says it better than we ever could.

{ 0 comments }

| More

Get By With a Little Humor From Your Friends

by Ben Van on April 9, 2011

Jeff Hiller Acting Reel from Jeff Hiller on Vimeo.

Jeff Hiller is a funny guy. You may have seen a few of his videos posted on our site and you’ve probably seen him in a commercial/flick. He’s an old friend of ours and we preach his message as often as possible. He not only has the chops but he’s paid his dues. Check out his webpage at hillertime.com and spread the word.

{ 0 comments }

| More

Vanish Old Time Radio #31

by Ben Van on April 5, 2011

Red State, Kazoo pants, Dead Man’s Shoes, flea markets, NIN ’95, Memphis Jug Band and meat points.

Vanish Old Time Radio #31 [ 46:15 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

{ 0 comments }

| More

Surprise! You’ve Been Van Dammed

by Ben Van on March 23, 2011

Last year I heard rumblings about the movie “JCVD.” It starred Jean Claude Van Damme and he played himself, obviously in the twilight of a strange career. People said it wasn’t the usual fare and he was quite good. Yeah yeah yeah. This guy was good?

So I went on with my life but then one day I ran into it at a Redbox station. Nothing else grabbed me so I forked over a dollar for it. The movie started with a vibe I wasn’t expecting and continued throughout. However, I was completely surprised halfway through the film. The following scene is a bit surreal and it doesn’t advance the story (Jean Claude being held hostage in a Belgium post office). But it makes the whole movie.

Maybe your opinion varies from mine but I thought he delivered in spades. According to Science Daily, unexpected events are more likely to be remembered than typical events. Remember the ending to “Seven?” Most people tried to forget without success. I still think about this scene from JCVD and how much I respect the filmmakers and star.

My point? The element of surprise is very sticky. No matter if your audience loves it or hates it.

So surprise us. Show some cube.

{ 0 comments }

| More

Vanish Old Time Radio #30

by Ben Van on March 14, 2011

Hype, icky stickies, Top 4, burger call, Beady Eyes, and Dope Blues

Vanish Old Time Radio #30 [ 46:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

{ 0 comments }

| More

To Our Russian Brothers and Sisters

by Ben Van on March 10, 2011

The Russian Revolution will be analyzed!  Da!  Our analytics shows that Russia has some interest in the Vanish Old Time Radio. We’re flattered. We also pride ourselves on being good hosts. For all you Americans, we’ve provided the crazy woman speaking in tongues. For our comrades in India, we’ve provided Little Superstar. Now, for our Russian allies, we’re providing this little slice of joy. Da! DIY! Da!

{ 0 comments }

| More

← Previous Entries