Essential June

Essential viewing this June:
- "The Hangover" is the biggest comedy hit of the summer stateside, and rightly so. A terrific cast (mostly unknown faces, wisely), a hilarious script with clever and original set ups and the best one-liners since last years "Superbad". It's hard to believe it actually comes with a heart too, but it truly does. The best comedy of the year so far.
- Everyone was waiting for it, but no one really had any real expectations that it would be any good. After all, it was from the director of the "Charlie's Angels" movies. That makes "Terminator Salvation" this months pleasant surprise. This fresh but darker look at the billion dollar franchise is certainly worth the attention, and even though it is certainly flawed it still delivers in volume. Gritty and hard hitting, with a strong cast and a stand out performance from Sam Worthington, this just might show the series can live on even without it's original star.
- A romantic comedy about people in their fifties? Please, Hollywood would never go for it. True. So director Joel Hopkins went to London to make it. "Last Chance Harvey" is a wonderful film with great performances from its two leads Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. If you take away the "age" factor, it might not be the most original romance of the year, but for some reason a romantic comedy starring the likes of Hoffman and Thompson will always make more of an impact than say Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon. Thankfully.

Essential listening this June:
It is impossible to write about music at the end of June 2009 without writing about Michael Jackson. I will not claim that I've listened to his music frequently for the past ten years, but growing up in the 80's and 90's it is impossible to say he has not played any part of my musical life. So for the music bit this month, my three favorite Michael Jackson songs:
- "Off The Wall" ("Off The Wall", 1979). It's hard to label this track. It can be called pop, disco or r'n'b, it doesn't matter. It's a wonderful song, from the man's best album in my opinion. His vocal abilities peaked around this time and going back to it today it still sounds amazingly fresh.
- "Greatest Show On Earth" ("Ben", 1973). A rare song, one of the last ones to be recorded before his voiced changed as he grew older. An upbeat and catchy motown tribute. A wonderful sound that could have suited him well also on his later records.
- "Billie Jean" ("Thriller", 1983). Arguably his biggest hit. The somewhat bizarre chorus and catchy beat will fill up dancefloors for ages to come. A true testament to Jackson's great understanding of pop music.

Good Music

There is not enough good music around. Or wait, scratch that. There is too much BAD music around. That would be more accurate.
Last week I went to a couple of really nice concerts. First up was Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. They performed a two hours plus set at the Norwegian Wood festival in Frognerparken, Oslo. It is a terrific venue and one of my favorite festival stages in the country. The setlist had a few surprises, but there was a nice and even spread of both old and new. Having released one of 2008's best albums last March ("Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!") the focus was still on new material, but being a fan I could not have asked for a sweeter collection of songs. "Henry Lee", "Into my arms", "Stagger Lee" and many more classics found their way into the mix.
A few days later I attended an intimate show with American singer / songwriter Joshua Radin. I've mentioned him on this site before ("Essential November") and I think he is a massive talent with a wonderful voice. It was a wonderful show, played on the smaller stage at Garage, one of Oslo's many rock bars. As Radin himself pointed out, it was probably the smallest stage he had been on since starting out four years ago. The songs, mainly about ex-girlfriends and possible new ones, are elegant and poetic with beautiful melodies. After releasing his first album "We Were Here" in 2006 he left his major record label after being pushed towards making more "poppy" songs. His new album "Simple Times" is therefore the first release of the tiny and aptly named label Mom & Pop Records.
Being at a good concert is always a joy, and after seeing these two very different acts I found it thrilling to see musicians performing their own songs and delivering every word with convincing feeling. Take that MTV!

"For Sale"

the fall of a friend
screaming they have heard this song before
nothing feels natural coming from that side
black clouds but still no rain

a young heart with an old soul
everything is now for sale
trapped asleep for another night
there is nowhere to land if you jump

money for nothing like this
playful disgrace in a crowded city
another street going the wrong way
a fake smile is all i need tonight

Video Shoot

Last weekend I went to Tromsø to direct a music video for one of my favorite bands, The Considerate Lovers. Along with me was my friend and photographer Anders. The band supplied me with a few songs for a short film I did last year and this was my way of returning the favor. We didn't have any budget so it was a small production where we shot over two days. We got lots of great footage and now starts the real job of putting it all together. Hopefully we will have the finished video within the next month.
The band released their first album, "The End" last year and will have a new single coming out later this summer. They are also playing at Bukta festival in Tromsø on July 2.

Photograph by Krister Kantola