When David Lynch turns his camera hand to music, it’s all eyes on the video. The mind behind some of the darkest films of our generation has seen the light manifested in a body popping electronic beat.
David Lynch, heralded creator of cult classics Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead, has released his debut double A-side track through independent label Sunday Best Recordings, entitled ‘Good Day Today/ I know’. Conjure all those disturbing Lynchian images your subconscious couldn’t rid (the creature behind the wall in Mulholland Drive for starters) and add an electronic soundtrack: there you have it. Starring the man himself on vocals, the singles are relaxed, methodical and marginally uplifting in a restrained, electro way. “In all my films, I have always been very involved with all that one hears”, Lynch explains, “The creation of this record was a natural extension of my love of sound and music.”
When the track was first aired by Jason Bentley on the KCRW radio station, it was mistaken for Underworld (say ‘drive boy dog boy dirty numb angel boy’ very fast and you’ll know who), a helpful comparison for a debut electro EP, even it is from one of the most famous film directors in the world. Initially released in November 2010, the track has just been made into a deluxe vinyl, boasting remixes from Underworld, Basement Jaxx, DJ Sasha, Skream, Boys Noize, Jon Hopkins (Coldplay producer), Diskjokke, Rob da Bank and Dan le Sac, with cover art by Vaughan Oliver.
Of course, the pressure on the accompanying visuals was immense, but the director and producer surprised all by offering the opportunity to two unknown young filmmakers. Lynch made a public call for submissions, crowning an ecstatic 22-year-old Frenchman Arnold de Parscau (to your right) and 28-year-old Israeli Tamar Drachli winners. Both films are the blatant work of two Lynch fans, but intelligent ones with ideas of their own. Commenting, “a second after having heard the name ‘David Lynch’, I knew I had to do it”, Parscau’s film tells of a dysfunctional family (dysfunctional in the Oedipus extreme), who are sitting having dinner/ eating their own eyeballs!
From film god to big hitter music man. Next up world domination.
Good Day Today/ I know is available through iTunes worldwide now. The deluxe vinyl package, complete with remixes, is also available via Sunday Best Recordings.
