I was pretty surprised to hear Sun Kil Moon featured in Steve Martin’s Shopgirl, let alone to see Mark Kozelek acting in the movie. He basically plays himself, Luther, a singer/guitarist in a band called “Hot Tears,” who mentors Jason Schwartzman’s character, Jeremy. Low bassist Zak Sally also plays in the fictional band. Sun Kil Moon has a new album of Modest Mouse covers coming out, that, while an interesting idea, I don’t really think does the songs justice. Kozelek’s versions are short sweet excercises in song writing that utilize Isaac Brock’s lyrics, but that, for me, don’t really compare to the complex quality of the originals. Samples from the album can be found online at various spots. “Ocean Breathes Salty” or “Dramamine” would be the tracks I’d recommend.
i guess that would be former bassist Zak Sally.
My comment is really linking this thread with freed’s arena rock thread from earlier last week. I also saw shopgirl over the weekend and was surprised that they used a heavy dose in indie rock in the movie’s trailer, with snippets from Explosions in the Sky, Notwistand Death Cab for Cutie. Oddly though none of the songs from the trailer were featured in the film itself, although less popular, but no less deserving music from Mark Kozelek were.
I was thinking about Freed’s post on ‘Arena Rock’…and the inclusion of lesser known ‘indie’ bands and wondered how much of it was just geographical. I mean, maybe the White Stripes are playing at the LA Kings game, but would they be playing at the Kansas City Chiefs game? Do enough people in between the coasts ‘get it’, or do they even have to, as a good song is just a good song, and it should be universally appreciated. I feel like the people at Shopgirl, knew people that liked the Notwist, Explosions and Death Cab (not to mention Claire Danes) would be into the film and subsequent music. I just found it ironic that they had to sell it with those bands and not that of, say, Sun Kill Moon.
i actually had meant to mention about the trailer, but forgot to…
when i saw the trailer i noted that, even though its kinda cool to hear so many familiar indie-ish songs movie trailers, it really has become repetative. its like they picked the most postal service-ish sounding notwist song… then they did an explosions in the sky song a la friday night lights, and then they capped it off with the proverbial ben gibbard voice, this time a death cab song.
in the long run i’m just happy that its not one of those fast & the furious trailers with insane clown posse, limp bizkit & that emo-metal group with the horrible rapping whose name i already forgot. i liked all the songs from the shopgirl trailer so i have no complaints.
one last thing about the movie: other than the sun kil moon song, i thought that the l.a. philharmonic stuff was poorly placed within the film. it gave the whole thing the whole thing this slow, pretentious feel. had i been the score picker dude, i would have selected more heartfelt/emotionally engaging music. i felt the same way about the clint eastwood-scored mystic river