20,000 Days On Earth

Yesternight I attended a pre-screening of 

20,000 Days On Earth, a film exploring the legend 

and the myth that is the great Nick Cave.

The film combines real conversations in staged environments between the musician and a select group of his friends and collaborators, with the effect of creating a sort of biopic mocku-documentary.  

The story takes place over a 24-hour period of Mr. Cave's 20,000th day on earth, and delves deeply into the mind of the man, his artistic process, the memories, the moments and the people who have shaped his philosophy, and figure so profoundly into his disparate body of work.  Adding to the richness of the film are the interspersed real-time studio song recordings that treat the viewer to a glimpse into his artistic process.

I could go on an analytical tangent about the nuances, freudian subtleties and complex depth of man and film, but there are adequate articles to be read here and here, if one so desires.

On a personal note, I've been a passionate fan of the many faces (and facets) of Mr. Cave for about fifteen years now, and his mind continues to fascinate me.  

I was a bit nervous going into the film, because often I find that pulling the curtain back on a subject that has achieved a mythical standing -- in my view -- can be a bit of a let-down.  Legends so very rarely stand up to their hype.  Not so with 20,000 Days On Earth.  Watching it, I was intrigued, delighted and not the least bit disillusioned; on the contrary I walked away from the theater with not only a greater understanding, but an appreciation and respect for Nicholas Edward Cave deeper than I'd realized possible.

As he himself says in the film, it was, for me, one of those rare and important moments (and I think I'm paraphrasing, here) 

"when the workings of the heart change".

The film opens nation-wide on October 10th.

*

The song Mr. Cave might best be known for: The Mercy Seat, about a man on his way to the electric chair; from the album Tender Prey, 1988.

Some ballads, et al:
Another wonderful film and one of my faves is The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, directed by Andrew Dominik and staring Brad "Dreamboat" Pitt and Casey Affleck, with soundtrack by-- you guessed it-- N.C.
Here's Nick's cameo at the end of the film:



... And one of my top 3 favorite books of all time was written by Nick Cave:
And the Ass Saw the Angel. Below is an excerpt read by the author in 1989.
A huge bonus to 20,000 Days for me was hearing stories and seeing a photograph of the tiny cubby room in Germany where he wrote this little masterpiece. The subject matter, of course, is dark, dark, dark -- but intoxicatingly so... if you can handle it.
Hey, I'm a dark girl, what can I say?

The World of Helen Warner

Entering the world of Helen Warner is to delve into a ghostly place, where haunting and magic are the standard, where all is sheathed in cloaks of dark mystery, and one can imagine witches and fairies and demons alike sharing secret corners of shrouded lands.

Ms. Warner's vision is gothic and vicarious, allowing the viewer to participate in her world while remaining just outside of it, like something glimpsed on the edge of the peripheral.  She takes an unobtrusive role and allows the intense, energetic subject matter to tell the story on its own, allowing us to feel like we stumbled upon the strange scene all by ourselves.
 

Her photos hold a dichotic balance of elegant and edgy, light and dark, welcoming and foreboding.

In short, I want to go to there.

*

*
*

source; source.

tags:  art, dark, demons, fairies, fantasy, grotesque, helen warner, magic, mystery, photo, photography, portrait, vague, witches, woods, worlds

The Podcast Post

Being someone who works from home, I'm in the studio quite a bit, either at the computer or working on personal projects, and this time affords me the opportunity to listen to a lot of podcasts.  

It's a great way to learn random facts, escape to another place for a bit, and knock out some of those classics I've been meaning to tackle (I'm looking at you, Moby Dick).

I'm particularly partial to science fiction, history (both fiction and non), real life storytelling, dark tales of witchery and occultism, and informative podcasts that teach while they entertain.

Here are just some of my favorites of the moment that you may not have heard of (in alphabetical order):

1. 99% Invisible - A Tiny Radio Show About Design, with Roman Mars

This podcast is great because the episodes are generally under 30 minutes, so you're not committed to a huge amount of time, but the fascinating subjects Mr. Mars presents will open your mind and have you thinking about your surroundings in a more artful way.

You'll never look at graffiti or listen to an escalator in the same way again.

*

*

2. Beneath Ceaseless Skies - Literary Adventure Fantasy

Time travel here!  The places these stories take the listener are rich, imaginative, limitless and always interesting.  Each episode begins with the sounds of a horse galloping while a sword is unsheathed-- a sure sign you're headed to the past.

*

*

3. Clarkesworld Magazine - Hugo Award Winning Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine

The stories told here are the best of the best in the sci-fi/fantasy genre today, by contemporary authors such as Yoon Ha Lee, Kij Johnson and Aliet de Bodard, just to name a few; excellent narration by Kate Baker.

*

*

4. The Drabblecast - Strange Stories by Strange Authors for Strange Listeners, with Norm Sherman

Silliness, bad puns, 100 word "drabbles" and off-beat short stories hosted and presented by the charming Norm Sherman.

  It's fun, do it.

*

*

5. Lightspeed Magazine - Science Fiction & Fantasy

Formerly a sister podcast to Fantasy Magazine, the two have merged and are now encompassed in Lightspeed.  On par with Clarkesworld in both genre and quality, it's a great place to hear amazing stories, both old and new.  Not just for cosplay nerds, people!

*

*

6. The Memory Palace - with Nate DiMeo

"surprising stories of the past, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes hysterical... for all admirers of things that are super-great."  That says it all!  Short episodes jam packed with mind-blowers.

*

*

7. Radiolab - with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich

Most people are familiar with Radiolab these days, but if not, it's must-listen radio.  "A show about curiosity.  Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and  human experience."  (They 'sometimes behave so strangely'.)

*

*

8. Risk - A Show Where People Tell True Stories They Never Thought They'd Dare to Share, with Kevin Allison (formerly of MTV's The State)

Whoooooooo, boy!  Slap a giant, glistening NSFW label on this one.  Listening to the stories told here by ordinary people (and sometimes minor celebrities) you won't get far if you're the kind of person easily offended, embarrassed or otherwise squeamish.  Stories to make your mama blush! (and you, too, probably).   

*

*

9. Star Talk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
And in this corner, the undisputed Rock Star of the science world, astrophysicist filled with dark matter and all around cool dude:  
Neil deGrasse Tyson!  
I admit it:  I have a nerd-crush on Neil.  He's funny, excited about the universe, and he can explain everything from astroids to a zombie apocalypse in terms that even non-scientists like myself can understand.  Go listen to his show, he's a total

*

*

10. Stuff You Should Know - from HowStuffWorks.com, with Chuck and Josh

Learn stuff!  This show is good if you want to explore subjects you never knew would interest you, or brush up on what you've already learned.  Tackling questions like "can you die of a broken heart?" and "can we build an elevator to outer space?".  Filled with great tid-bits for cocktail parties, although I have to say, I usually do know a few more facts about each subject than Chuck and Josh offer.  Still, worth some listens.

*

*

11. The Thrilling Adventure Hour - A Staged Production in the Style of Old-Time Radio

Love these little sketches!  A Ben Acker & Ben Blacker Production, featuring Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster, Annie Savage, Busy Philipps, Marc Gagliarti, Hal Lublin, Colin Hanks and many more.  My particular favorite sketches are 'Beyond Belief' with Frank & Sadie Doyle, and 'Sparks Nevada, Marshal on Mars'.

*

*

12. The Truth - Movies for Your Ears

The Truth is gaining popularity, but I've been on its wagon for a while now.  An award winning audio-drama of short stories; well produced with great sound design.

*

*

13. True Story - A Night of True Tales Told to Friends

In the same vein as 'The Moth', these are stories you'd tell your friends around a dinner table or a back yard bonfire.  Usually light hearted and funny, but at turns heartfelt and emotional.

*

*

14. Useless Information - A Collection of Fascinating True Stories from the Flllllip Side of History, with Steve Silverman

Once you get past Steve's quirky way of wwwwwwelcoming you, I think you'll enjoy his friendly recounting of weird news stories from the past, the "quuuuuuestion of the day", and the vintage advertisements (which are usually steeped in irony).  Light and easy listening.

*

*

15. Welcome to Nightvale - from Common Place Books

This is a fun one.  Done in the style of a community update radio show from the small desert town of Nightvale, where abnormal is normal, and very weird things happen all the time.  It's a lot like the book 'Wigfield:  The Can-Do Town That Just May Not', written by Amy Sedaris, Paul DiNello and Stephen Colbert, but with more supernatural powers and animated-inanimate objects thrown in.

*

*

16. Wormwood: A Serialized Mystery - From Habit Forming Films

It's been at least a year since I listened to this serial, but obviously I really enjoyed it and it's stayed with me.

Synopsis:  Dr. Xander Crowe, who has "spiraled down the dark pathways into the occult", is driven by a vision to the town of Wormwood, where he teams up with a girl named Sparrow and the two of them embark on wild adventures in search of a dead girl.  

It sounds intense, but it's actually quite humorous most of the time.  Tons of hours of listening.

*

*

*

And two sources to find audiobooks and more:

1. LibriVox Free Domain Audio Books -

Endless books in the public domain read by anyone who wants to volunteer to read them.

2. Archive.org Internet Archive:  Not just books!  Digital Library of Free Books, Movies & Music, providing "Universal Access to All Knowledge". 

 Sooooo much good stuff here!  Old radio shows, classic books, movies and films and more.  Go check it out!

*

*

*

happy listening, kids.

PHOTO SHOOT 1st of October

Seasonal transition wear, coming at ya from Vagueville!

Check out our collection of leather and love, wool and wonderment....

***

 

{ suede trench with fur collar and waist tie.  circa 1970s }

*

{ Fashion, my dear Watson!  a great Sherlock-esque coat with removable capelet; c. 1960s  }

*

{ Geez Louise-- this leather pea coat is everything!  love the color. 1960s }

*

{ simple sweater dress with cowl collar in cable knit; 1970s }

*

{ suede trench!  can't get enough of this coat!  1970s all the way. }

*

{ slubbed wool two piece suit featuring jacket and perma-crease pant.  1960s }

*

{ soft and light-- suede coat with fur collar and satin lining; 1950s/60s }

*

{ Pendleton Classic two piece blazer and skirt suit; 1960s }

*

{ fur trimmed coat with textured wool outer; 1950s }

*

{ gorgeous wool two piece in black with MINK trim AND purse!  circa 1950s }

*

{ one slick jacket:  suede outer with leather pockets, collar and even a belt!  1960s }

*

{ lovely navy blue dress with big hip pockets and bows at declotage and back; 1950s/60s }

*

{ dark chocolate suede jacket with leather collar; 1970s }

*

{ incredible silk gown; circa 1910s-1920s }

*

{ a light cotton overcoat in plaid with flair cut; 1950s/60s }

*

{ suede and sweater, together forever; 1960s/70s }

*

{ suede jacket with faux fur lining.  1970s }

*

{ suede shirt-jacket!  circa 1970s }

*

{ classic LBD with gathered side in textured knit; 1950s/60s }

*

*

*

*

*

*

{ ENTER THE SHOP HERE }

*

*

*

*

*