We admit we haven’t updated the Vanish Dictionary in a while. The bell tolls for new additions! We can deliver. Since people are increasingly confused about what we’re talking about, here’s a preview:
“Bucket bamboo shoots” – Munchies or snacks. “Don’t be eating a bunch of bucket bamboo shoots! You’ll ruin your dinner!”
“Pests” – DIY artists. “I’m tired of all of these pests muckin’ up the system. Movies are a business!”
“Put a fan on it.” – Back off.
“Dude, if you don’t put a fan on it, I’m gonna beckon a Norwegian Twister .”
“Norwegian Twister” - A kick to the crotch. “I should’ve put a fan on it. He beckoned a Norwegian Twister. I think I’m barren.”
Now do yourself a favor and check this at the door.
It’s not the medium or the oil or the price or whether it hangs on a wall or you eat it. What matters, what makes it art, is that the person who made it overcame the resistance, ignored the voice of doubt and made something worth making. Something risky. Something human.
Art is not in the eye of the beholder. It’s in the soul of the artist.
My friend Lisa and her daughter were recently listening to the Vanish Old Time Radio show. Her daughter turned to her.
“Do you love your friends?”
“Yes I do,” Lisa responded.
“Good. Because they are reallyweird.”
Sounds about right. We laugh as we criticize ourselves. I can’t finish a sentence to save my life. Mike thinks his laugh sounds too high-pitched. We constantly interrupt each other. We can’t keep a consistent microphone volume level because we move when we talk. We have a ton of inside jokes. And on it goes…
But the number of listeners are growing. And we’ve never felt more comfortable about the show and Vanish as a whole. It’s who we are, warts and all.
Welcome to our weird little world. Show some cube.
I found an old interview with Paul Westerberg from The Replacements. Not only do we dig his music, we also can relate to his perspective. Check out this snippet.
O: Your habits sound almost Prince-like. Is there something about Minneapolis that makes people record like that?
PW: There’s nothing else to do! Half of the year, you’re inside. You tend to write in the winter, and I’m not much of a lover of the sun, so I tend to write in the summer, too. I went maybe a year without writing, and instead read books. Then I’ll write for a month solid, like four songs at a time, and then I can sort of lay it down and get away from it. But it’s always nagging at me in the back of my mind.
O: Was there ever a temptation, if only for your career, to leave Minneapolis?
PW: No. I always thought it was more helpful for me to stay. L.A. gobbles you up, and New York does the same. To me, anybody who has to move somewhere to become something they’re not isn’t the real thing. If you’ve gotta move to Los Angeles to make it, then you ain’t got it.
“We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood — it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, “Too late.”
Music is a big part of Vanish. I can’t write without it. Mike can’t edit without it. We’re rock’n'roll dowggies! Even after I present a finished script to the crew and actors, I don’t feel it tells the full story. You need the beats – the vibe – the attitude – the mojo. The best way to project the feeling is to give them music. You may be skeptical but it works. For Sweet Damnation, I created CD mixes for everyone. The range of artists included James Brown, Black Flag, Joan Jett and Dropkick Murphys. In spite of the different backgrounds, the songs all fit into the idea of a conflicted man stuck in the middle of a party. So the crew listened to the CD and the vibe seeped into their performances, whether in front of or behind the camera. I was pleased.
So now it’s a required part of the process. Jams tapes! Give it a shot. I’ve already distributed the new playlist for our next project.
Light some candles and set the mood. Ohhhh baby.
On a completely unrelated note, Mickey Rourke is talented. Check it.
I was watching an interview with Jason Alexander from Seinfeld. He was reading the show’s script and he had a major problem with a scene. He approached Larry David and questioned his character’s reaction to an event in the episode. He said “This would never happen!” Larry David responded “That happened to me…exactly how I wrote it.”
I suspect many of the memorable events in the Seinfeld pantheon were drawn from real events. Couple that with the fact that Seinfeld is arguably the most popular sitcom ever. So what’s the angle:
Your life has some of the funniest, most dramatic, most emotional, most action-oriented events this side of the Mississippi. Use them. Sweet Damnation contains more idiocy from my life than I care to admit. I never had a girlfriend in a porn though. At least I hope not. Fingers crossed!
Ten years ago I was in London. Everybody raved about the theater scene and how you’d be an idiot to miss it. I complied with the mother of all productions: Les Miserables. We viewed the show from the Abraham Lincoln seats. The production was super elaborate with rotating stages, professional performers and expensive set designs. And I was bored to death. If i’ve offended you with this comment, here’s a tissue. It was boring. I’m sure buried underneath all the bullshit there’s a compelling story.
I guess I didn’t feel like digging.
Later on, I heard about a stage production of an old ghost story entitled “The Woman in Black” occurring off the strip in the back alleys of London. I had my doubts but at least I wouldn’t be blinded by the damn lights. We meandered through the old town district to a little theatre. Only three actors in the whole production: two guys and the notorious ghost, The Woman in Black. This show got under my skin. I never thought I’d be creeped out at a play. If you think it’s freaky seeing a ghost on the screen, think about a pale white lady in black walking by you in the aisle. In a pitch black theatre, no less. I loved it.
I’ve usually experienced the most gratifying art off the beaten path. I’ve run into people who scoff at it because it’s not “legit.” You all know what I think of them. Anyways, here’s a few items I’ve come across out in the wilderness:
The Ten Steps – My buddy Andres saw this creepy short film at a festival in Denver. It finally turned up on Youtube.
Daniel Johnston – I discovered his music from a documentary at the library. His first albums were so low budget that his raw melodies couldn’t be buried. If it doesn’t grab you right away, it will. The documentary is great too.
In the Company of Legends – A few weeks ago I ventured down to Pine Island, MN to a small theatre in an even smaller town. I sat down with a full crowd and witnessed an evening of entertainment that doesn’t happen anymore. A great variety show with a vibrant life. You’ll recognize a few of the actors from the Legends. They’re even more legendary now.
Running to Stand Still (Live in Sydney) – I know U2 is the epitome of the beaten path. However, only the die-hard fans have heard this version of a classic song. Great music and great drama.
Seven Signs – I caught this documentary before a Legendary Shack Shakers show in Minneapolis. The lead singer created this brilliant portrait of the unknown South. Plus, my Denver favs Munly and Slim Cessna make appearances and provide the wicked song at the end of the clip.
Bottom line: Get off the beaten path and blaze your own trail. I guarantee you a few (or more) will wander down your trail and be glad they did.
The dust hasn’t settled but our minds are made up. We couldn’t stay away from your beautiful faces. The Vanish train is rolling down the tracks again with growing momentum. The pace is slower so we can enjoy the views a bit more.
Here’s the deal. Mike and I recorded a new podcast last night. It was fun and chaotic as usual. Look for it tomorrow night. We’re going to try every other week and see how it goes. I’ll try to put up a post of my rants on a weekly basis.
As for movies, something could happen when the snow starts melting. We have no idea yet. We’ll see where the train takes us.
Thanks for hanging in there Vaniards. If you’re in the Minneapolis area on Saturday around noon, swing by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design to see “Sweet Damnation” on the big screen. It’ll be a hot time in the old town.
Now a little something for all those evil doers out there. I’m talking to you, pal!
Great news Vaniards! Recently Trista and Mike welcomed a big baby boy! Introducing….
Titan! (Titan, Titan, Titan…)
He’s so big that he arrived with some fine sideburns and he’s already signed to the Vikings practice squad as a weak-side linebacker. Watch out for the crack blocks kiddo!
The world is brighter my friends! And about 11 lbs heavier…
We’re stoked. We don’t know what to think so we’re just enjoying it. We admit that our juices flowing again. A new script is waiting to be made. Our schedules for the rest of the year are kickin but….
2011?
We shall see.
If you can make it, we’d love to see you at the screening. We miss your glorious faces.
