So when asked to be a guest editor for MAGNET, my initial reaction was that my inner 18-year-old self might flip out so much that I might have nary a word to say. However, I persevered and was immediately filled with some of the memories of growing up in the proverbial “sticks” in the ’90s. Starting there and moving forward to the present day, I accumulated a list of people, movies, music, food, poets and other stuff that, although not exhaustive by any extent, it gives an insight into me, my music, the band, inspirations and interests. At the very least I would hope that a few of these things may also be viewed as recommendations that could steer people toward becoming acquainted with a few new people, and things that I find dear. It goes without saying, I appreciate the opportunity to “preach from the pulpit,” so to speak and air my opinion on so many different things. Normally people only care about what I say about my music or music in general, which can get tedious. So thank you, MAGNET, for providing the platform to impose my taste on others. Really and truly, I hope someone finds something in here that they, too, can enjoy.
So I am originally from Lewiston, Idaho, which is equal parts devastatingly boring, and mysteriously weird. When I was just a baby in the early ’80s, there was apparently a serial killer terrorizing the town, which is remarkably discussed in this documentary called Confluence (I think you can rent it on iTunes). Aside from the grizzly details provided in the film of the murders and surrounding intrigue there is another reason I like it so much. One of the first guys wo played in Horse Feathers, Peter Broderick, did the score, which adds so much mood to the film it’s ridiculous. The camera swoops and dives through the big canyons of the area while Pete’s score adds so much dramatic intensity and ambient edge that the narrator’s description of severed heads found in rivers and the discovery of bound corpses almost becomes too much to bear. Truly hair-raising at times and generally creepy, Confluence, for me, is such an interesting vision of my hometown. When people have asked me about where I am from, I always recommend they watch it to get an idea. Maybe that’s a little macabre, but the scenery and cinematography are just as worthwhile as the true-crime story.
Video after the jump.
