9 hours Ago
Filmmaker David Lynch at his Los Angeles home in 2002. AP Photo/Chris Weeks, File When filmmaker David Lynch died in January, local musician Jeff Beam thought of a unique way to honor him. Beam reached out to a bunch of musicians and put together a show that will feature music from Lynch’s films including “Lost Highway,” “Eraserhead,” “Blue Velvet,” “Wild at Heart” and “Mulholland Drive.
” The evening will also include music from Lynch’s much-loved television series “Twin Peaks.” The instrumental “Twin Peaks Theme” by composer Angelo Badalamenti is my favorite TV theme song. It will never have an equal.
At the Portland show, it will be played by the trio of Tyler Quist, Estelle Poole and Stu Mahan on synths, Dan Capaldi on baritone guitar and Beam on percussion. I’m already swooning. Beam said additional music from “Twin Peaks” is also on the setlist.
Quist and pianist Pete Dugas will also tackle the chilling yet gorgeous “Laura Palmer’s Theme.” The band Is She? will play “In Heaven,” a song penned by Lynch for his debut full-length film, the cult classic “Eraserhead.” Is She? will also hit us with the dream-pop tune “Shadow” by The Chromatics.
The track was featured in 2017’s “Twin Peaks: The Return,” the reboot of the original series. One of my most treasured tracks of the “Twin Peaks” oeuvre is “Mississippi” by alt-country act The Cactus Brothers, which was featured in “Twin Peaks: The Return.” With an Everly Brothers vibe, the track is full of longing, with ear-pleasing harmony vocals.
“Mississippi” will be performed by Dan Capaldi (vocals, guitar), Beam (acoustic guitar, harmony vocals), Mahan (bass) and Mario Epstein (drums). I can’t wait to hear what they do with it. The rock band Bass Box (Mat Zaro vocals, Mahan on bass and Chas Lester on vocal percussion) is reuniting to perform the hypnotic “I’m Deranged” by David Bowie and “The Perfect Drug” by Nine Inch Nails.
The latter is a frenetic, jarring song that creates an unsettling atmosphere. Both songs were featured in Lynch’s 1997 film “Lost Highway.” Perhaps the most recognizable song you’ll hear at the Lynch tribute is Chris Isaak’s hit “Wicked Game, ” from Isaak’s 1989 album “Heart Shaped World.
” It gained huge traction after Lynch used it in 1990’s “Wild At Heart,” starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. Dominic Lavoie will be singing lead, with Beam on bass and Capaldi on drums. This is not an easy song to sing, but I have every confidence in Lavoie , a longtime staple of Portland’s music scene.
Beam said he considers Lynch to be one of the most honest and original artists he’s ever been a fan of. “He had such a unique and powerful way of tapping into the American psyche, soul and experience through his surrealistic eye,” he said. “It’s hard to fully describe how his art makes you feel, especially upon first viewing, but you never forget the feeling.
It changes you.” Because music is such a big element in Lynch’s work, Beam said the tribute show will be a fun and apt way to celebrate and thank him for his art. “It’s a testament to his impact that so many incredible Maine musicians agreed to perform in this show.
” In Dreams: A Tribute to David Lynch 8 p.m. Thursday.
Blue, 650 Congress St., Portland, $15 in advance, $18 at the door, 21-plus. blueportlandmaine.
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