When I had my serendipitous run-in with the filmmakers of Blood Into Wine, they mentioned that I should stay after that screening to check out their other film, The Heart is a Drum Machine. I’m really, really glad I did.
Obviously, I love music. But sometimes I don’t see the forest for the trees. I’m so focused on my next show, the logistics, the writing, the promotion…that I forget the underlying motivation for it all. It’s all about the music.
The film is beautifully bookended with the story of the Golden Record, which was put aboard the Voyager in 1977 to represent human culture. The rest of the film is a collection of interviews with musicians, sound engineers, actors, and scientists (why no bloggers?!) talking about music in general terms- why they make it, why they consume it, feelings, physical reactions…deep, meaningful stuff.
The subjects are as varied as could be (click for my show reviews): Wes Borland, Ivar Bjornson of Enslaved, George Clinton, Britt Daniel, Kimya Dawson, John Frusciante (who almost put me in tears just looking at his deteriorated physical state), Courtney Taylor-Taylor, Maynard James Keenan, Billy Morrison (perhaps the most hilarious story), Matt Sorum (with an unexpected supporting statement for the Backstreet Boys), Mickey Avalon, Juliette Lewis, Gene Hoglan, Charlie Clouser of NIN, Fairuza Balk (Sapphire!!!), Bob Ludwig (mastering engineer for pretty much everything important), and many more. The breadth of talent interviewed send it’s own message- while we all have different tastes, conflicting ideas, and alternate viewpoints- the underlying motivation ties us together: we all love music.
The scientific elements in the film appealed to my psychology background. I think we spend a lot of time thinking about how music affects our mind, but not as much on how it physically effects us (well, outside of moshpit injuries). I found these parts fascinating and much easier to digest that This is Your Brain on Music.
It also helped me to realize that- while I put ‘my’ musicians up on a pedestal, I really have more in common with them than I think I do. The same way a musician feels about having to get the music out of them when they play, I feel about writing about my music experiences.
The Heart is a Drum Machine really made me take a step back and think.
“And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I’m dying Are…
“The sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive And the sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive, keeps me alive…
“It’s early morning, the sun comes out Last night was shaking and pretty loud My cat is purring, it scratches…
“Too much horror businessDriving late at nightPsycho 78My bathroom is newYou, you don’t go in the bathroom with mePsycho 7812…
“Now a new look in my eyes my spirit riseForget the pastPresent tense works and lastsGot shit on, pissed on,…
“Gimme danger, little strangerAnd I feel with you at easeGimme danger, little strangerAnd I’ll feel your disease There’s nothing in…
“Living out the days and nights in absolute fearNever knowing when and where thethreat of the undead draws nearThoughts of…
“Now, listen up She’s a razor sharp If she don’t get her way She’ll slice you apart Now she’s a…
“Oh, they should have knownNot to play with the powers of HellSome people have lost their waySome people have lost…
“I’m the walking dudeI can see all the worldTwist your minds with fearI’m the man with the powerAmong the living,…
“And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I’m dying Are…
“The sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive And the sparkle in your eyes Keeps me alive, keeps me alive…
“It’s early morning, the sun comes out Last night was shaking and pretty loud My cat is purring, it scratches…
“Too much horror businessDriving late at nightPsycho 78My bathroom is newYou, you don’t go in the bathroom with mePsycho 7812…
“Now a new look in my eyes my spirit riseForget the pastPresent tense works and lastsGot shit on, pissed on,…
“Gimme danger, little strangerAnd I feel with you at easeGimme danger, little strangerAnd I’ll feel your disease There’s nothing in…