Kat Says: "Danny Elfman made me cry—but it was awesome."
Also, a must-hear cover of Kate Bush by a Tale of Us side project, new Khruangbin and a ton of funky remixes.
Hey Friends!
Apologies that this week’s newsletter is coming on a Tuesday instead of last Friday. Turns out I have a life and friends, and some of those friends were in town visiting San Francisco last week. We had a blast, checking out Alcatraz and meeting the last living former prisoner. His name is Bill Baker, and I bought his book and had it signed. I asked him if he thought it was weird that people now buy t-shirts in the gift shop that read “I did time in Alcatraz,” and he agreed—capitalism is strange and unusual!
Me and my friends with Mr. Baker
You know what else is strange and unusual? Danny Elfman!
I had the chance to speak with Mr. Oingo Boingo a couple of times this year. The first time was for Consequence of Sound in anticipation of his then-forthcoming solo album Big Mess. This felt like a pretty huge deal, since he’s soundtracked most every one of my favorite goth-kid movies, from Nightmare Before Christmas to Beetlejuice, the Michael Keaton Batmans, Mars Attacks! and more.
He was incredibly nice and as animated as one might imagine. You should really read the story I wrote for CoS, because it’s a super compelling situation he found himself in. I mean, we all suffered through COVID, and Elfman used it as a machine to exorcise his demons of dual personalities.
One cool thing though that didn’t make the cut: he talked to me about his relationship to Nightmare. I didn’t realize this, but he’s the voice of Jack Skellington, and he wrote all the lyrics for the film’s songs, alongside the music. He told me Jack was basically an autobiographical character, albeit in a very surreal sense, but he identified with Jack’s desire to be something other than what he was: in Elfman’s case, a composer instead of an ‘80s alt band frontman. He poured his heart into those lines, and halfway through, director Tim Burton stopped trying to cast the part. He just let Elfman have it.
I remember seeing that movie in theaters as a kid. I guess I was 5, about to be 6. That movie left an indelible impression on me, coloring my world and filling me with a strange affection for the weird and Victorian. Most people I know are enamored with that film, and yet here I was on the phone with Elfman telling me what an abject failure he felt he was upon the film’s release. He told me critics panned it, calling it “too scary” for children. Disney refused to promote it, distancing themselves from the whole thing. Elfman told me he didn’t realize anyone cared about it until some five-or-so years ago.
That story had me silent crying on the other side of the line. There are times when you think no one out there cares about the hard work you’re putting in, the art you’re making, the passionate cause you champion. You feel so alone and useless, but little do you know, there are people out there cheering you on, people you may never meet being inspired by the small steps you take every day.
I’ve experienced this on an extremely small scale compared to Elfman, but I’m convinced that it’s true and happening to everyone possessed with a mission. I hope you carry that story in your heart when you’re feeling down. I’m cheering you on, too!!
Okay, now that we’re all fucking weeping, read this interview I did with Elfman and his dope creative director Berit Gilma (who is female! And a millennial, I think!) for Modern Luxury about the Big Mess box set and all the sick, 3D artists they worked with to bring the twisted, “grotesque” world of Elfman’s brain to life. He gave me a small tour of his cooky collection of shrunken heads and mummified fingers and ventriloquist dolls. What a lovely nut!
This week’s Absolutely Necessary tracks and playlists are included below. Thanks for walking with me on my own strange and unusual journey. As always HMU and let me know what you wanna see next!
Kat Calls Season 2 is WRAPPED! No upcoming stream schedule for this week, although there will be YouTube uploads coming, and potentially a Cutie Club: Christmas Special.
ONWARD TO JAM CITY!
Absolutely Necessary
(This is the part where I share songs that are so good, they’re absolutely necessary to listen to. That’s it. That’s the bar.)
Anyma - “Running” Feat. Meg Myers
Tale of Us member Matteo Milleri goes solo with a new side project called Anyma, and he bursts out the gate with this really wonderful, pounding techno take on the timeless Kate Bush classic “Running Up That Hill.” Meg Myers’ vocal performance absolutely delivers. I love this!
Foals - “Wake Me Up” (Gaspard Augé and Victor Le Masne Remix)
Last weekend, my boyfriend’s friends sent us photos from some party in a bar in Paris they went to, and they were with Breakbot and Gaspard Augé! WTFFF?!?! Apparently Ed Banger is doing bar parties. What a world. This remix is from Gaspard and his production pal Victor Le Masne, who helped him on his recent solo LP Escapades. Dig it.
Koastle - "Crush"
If you’re a fan of old Wave Racer and that cutesy clip-art sound of the future bass golden age, this new project from a duo formerly known as The Lost Boys is gonna be right up your alley. Bright, bubbly and booty-shakin’!
Quiet Bison - “Crash” Feat. Madalen Duke
I’ve always been a fan of Quiet Bison’s beats. He’s long been one of those chop-it-up and glitch-it-out types, but the sounds coming from his forthcoming debut album show a lot of variety and sonic growth. He told me about the project in our Kat Calls (which you should watch!), and I thiiiiink this is the last single to be released before the full LP! This one is all sweet dreams and electro-pop pleasantness, but there’s still a good gritty beat to be had—and you know I love an electric flute!
Disclosure - “Never Enough” (Dylan C. Greene Remix)
Hyper-funk disco jazz. That’s what I’m calling this plucky pastel-groove. Dylan C. Greene is a producer out of the Netherlands. This is the first time I’m hearing of him, but I’ll be keeping an ear out for more.
Kyle - “Perfect”
I have such a soft spot for Kyle. He came through in the early days with some seriously nerdy raps, then he was all grown up on some rather R&B tunes. I guess he’s doing disco now? Sounds great to me!
Fhin - “Love Attack” (Moods Remix)
Draw a warm bath, light a candle and dip right into the sensual sounds of this twilight tune. Walking bass lines and sexy synths create the perfect compliment to Parisian artist Fhin’s airy vocals. Moods brings the mood.
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges - “B-Side”
While I truly believe the only way to fully experience Khruangbin is a live performance, I can’t not include a new song by the Texas trio—especially when it includes vocals from the lovely, soulful Leon Bridges! This is good for beachside hangs, backyard barbecues and bedroom makeout sessions.
Qrion - “Proud” (Dance System Remix)
This bass line is funky af, and it’s almost exactly the bass line from Daft Punk’s “Voyager,” but I don’t care! Play that bass line under everything! It bangs!
Model Man - “Don’t Cry” Feat. Hamzaa (Mall Grab Remix)
This is pure classic house bliss. A repetitive piano and pumping drums inches you and me and everyone you know closer to some early ‘90s fantasy where raves are held in random fields, water bottles are dance move accessories, and everyone is free to be as strange and queer as they wanna be.
TWO LANES x Panama - Rolling Back (Monkey Safari Remix)
Okay wow, so many remixes. This is a good song to put on when you’re ready to light candles and take an hour-long bath in the dark.
Thanks for tuning into my newsletter. Listen to the playlists on Spotify. One is updated weekly with all the songs from each edition. The other is cumulative with all the updates ever!