One of the most talented Soviet filmmakers during the cold war was a man named Andrei Tarkovsky. In many ways he has been compared to Stanley Kubrick, though interestingly Tarkovsky’s films are warmer, and more human than Kubrick’s.
I mention Tarkovsky here, because his films, which I’ve discovered over the past few years have been an inspiration. In many ways I desire to write songs the way Tarkovsky made film…or at least have my music be used in a film like Tarkovsky’s (or perhaps Terrence Malick).
The reason I adore Tarkovsky is that his films make me feel more human. Yes, they are sometimes strange, entangled, and abstract, but that’s why they are so human. They aren’t easy.
And this gets to the deeper point, that “knowing” the meaning of your own existence is not a staunch intellectual pursuit; it’s the experience of being caught up in an undeniable spiritual truth.
If you are an artist, or appreciator of the arts you may recognized this feeling “more human” through such an experience.
It’s why I write and record music.
I hope you find something that clears your head and soothes your soul.
If you’re looking for suggestions:
You can watch Tarkovsky’s films online for free – HERE.
You can listen to Finn Miles music for free – HERE.
As I waited in Portland’s Union Station, on my way to Soundcrawl in Nashville to perform with Weiv, I was struck by the amazing ambiance in the classically refurbished train station.
If you’d like to go there with me, you can just step into my audio time machine.
Click the link below, then and close your eyes to hear the marble reflections, the bustle of passengers, and the bleating of the train’s horn.
Start Back-To-School Right With A ‘Gran Torino’ Lunch box
From the brilliant (and possibly disturbed) mind of artist Brandon Bird comes the Saturday Morning Cartoon version of Gran Torino. Just in time for back-to-school you can get a brand spanking new ‘Gran Torino’ lunch box to show off to all the kids at school who will be super-jealous. Considering that Clint Eastwood’s ‘Gran Torino’ came off as more unintentionally hilarious than thought provoking and moving, I can think of a better film in need of a Saturday Morning cartoon treatment than ‘Gran Torino’.
Only $20 + shipping! I think this is a definite buy!
Cuz every kid should have their lunch in one of these bad boys.
If you’ve been to more than a few Finn Miles shows over the past year you’ve probably seen people waiving Wii controllers at the stage, and fantastical images being projected behind the band.
This interactive system is called Weiv, and I’m lucky enough to be one of the founders.
Weiv is going to launch as a commercial product this summer…meaning any band can use it.
Friend and ally Ted Martens has released a screensaver app entitled Heart containers for Japan. 100% of the proceeds are going to relief to help those affected by the earthquake and now continued radiation.
The atmosphere is great and it is both charming and soothing. Awesome work Ted.
I’ve been reading a really amazing book about social justice and it has convicted me and made me realize how apathetic I tend to be to those in need. Not in the emotional sense, but in the actually doing something about it sense. This is a great example of someone using their unique gifts to benefit others. I am proud to call him my friend (and best man).
Audience participation – Weiv was used at a Finn Miles concert in Des Moines, Iowa at the Vaudeville Mews. The crowd used Wii controllers to “play” the visuals live with the music.
Weiv is a software platform that uses the expressive power of videogames to enhance live performances. It allows a group of people to become a “visual band” that can create animations to the beat of the music or explore a virtual world. By using motion sensing devices, people can turn the natural urge to move to the music into a collaborative and communal visual performance.
Is the true identity of street artist “Banksy” set to be revealed to the highest bidder on eBay through a mailed piece of paper? Massive publicity stunt, joke, or some very shady business?
