Suddenly, I'm writing stories for a couple of bands - as if music did not have enough depth in and of itself. But such a collaboration seems to be underutilized . . . maybe for a good reason. I don't know. Nevertheless, imagine a world where writing short fiction was a staple in the construction of a music album, that the liner notes would reach past it's normal musings and extend a welcome hand to a literary representation of a song collection. Let the crunch of a guitar be a window crashing. Let the howl of a vocalist be a parade of banshees. Let a bitchin' beat crescendo as a frantic run through the wilderness. We have music videos, right? So why not music short fiction!?
I've already started the first story, which is for the band Imaginary Daughter. They just released an EP to drive their upcoming debut album "When the Bough Breaks." It hasn't been fully determined as to how my story will be used. Finn von Claret, the vocalist of Imaginary Daughter, expressed interest in writing the story on a dress in which she will perform, but this is not definite. From my past collaborations, in science and in art, I've learned it is sometimes more savvy to step back and allow such combinations to give birth to their own manifestation. With that said, I'm finding that their song "Transitory Two" is taking an alpha position in driving my story; it's grinding energy and lyrics fit it best.
So far, the Imaginary Daughter story introduces the aggressively stubborn character, Arabelle Manon, a woman with a secretive history. She meets Meyer Vergass, an aimless and submissive man who struggles with just about everything. They become friends under strange circumstances, meeting only once a week at the same cafe for several years (a condition dictated by Arabelle). Through their friendship Meyer finds in Arabelle an unwitting muse and under her influence manages to remember his own aggressive light. Meyer grows in strength and courage, but then Arabelle disappears . . .
I have not started the second story, but a few days ago I met with the talented Nathaniel Johnstone about his self-named project with the Brazilian Surf Mafia. Nathaniel asked me to write a story that embodies the emotional symbiosis of artist and audience. He would like some part of the story or the whole story inside the album case. Plus, he wants me to write an additional vocal narrative to be dubbed over some music. Sweet!
This piece currently has several characters, musicians and dancers of varying personalities. The story will be set in an abandoned building and occur during some sacred event celebrated by an all night show of music and dancing. My challenge will be to capture the joy in making art and put it to words. I plan on weaving a modern primitive feeling in the story, begging the notions of something like alterna-nomads celebrating joy overshadowing the hardships of a not-too-distant future in a semi-collapsed society.
These are my current projects. Please check out the links below the pictures to see more of Imaginary Daughter and Nathaniel Johnstone and the Brazilian Surf Mafia.
I love collaborations like this. It's as if I'm helping to make an art sandwich with fixings not normally used. Hopefully, this is a peanut butter and pickle sandwich folks will enjoy eating!
Darling C,
ReplyDeleteI love reading your musings. I'm glad we've found ways to inspire each other. There is nothing I crave more in this world than a singular, innovative, newborn thought. The most treasured are those sprung from the hearts of loved ones. When we use our individual talents to absorb and translate what we are exposed to, we are suddenly set apart from the mundane and blossom into the most gorgeous and evolved of creatures.