Silent Music Revival is a unique event in the city of Richmond. Once a month this event combines classic silent films with live performances by musicians who have never seen the film. On Sunday, September 26th The Low Branches will perform a live, improvised soundtrack to the Jean Epstein classic Le Tempestaire.
I had the chance to ask The Low Branches some questions about the progression of their music and their impression of the Silent Music Revival.
Jameson: So how long have you been playing together as the Low Branches?
Christina: About one year. Give or take.
Jameson: Your music seems very element inspired, is there anything to that?
Christina: By “element inspired”- do you mean fire, water, air/wind, earth?
Jameson: Yes.
Christina: Well, it’s not literally inspired by the four elements, but it’s an obsession that I have – to find likenesses between how I am feeling internally and how the natural world is feeling or acting. I write from the perspective of a naturalist. Both my experiences and emotions always intersect with that side of the world. Nature is both reassuring and beautiful but also dangerous and a constant struggle. So are human emotions.. However, the writing is not only metaphorical – it’s often quite literal.
We work on the instrumentals to find a place that reflects the concept of the writing. It is often very quiet, like the wilderness: just you, your thoughts, and the subtle sounds that accompany that space.
Silent Music Revival is a unique event in the city of Richmond. Once a month this event combines classic silent films with live performances by musicians who have never seen the film. On Sunday, September 26th The Low Branches will perform a live, improvised soundtrack to the Jean Epstein classic Le Tempestaire.
I had the chance to ask The Low Branches some questions about the progression of their music and their impression of the Silent Music Revival.
Jameson: So how long have you been playing together as the Low Branches?
Christina: About one year. Give or take.
Jameson: Your music seems very element inspired, is there anything to that?
Christina: By “element inspired”- do you mean fire, water, air/wind, earth?
Jameson: Yes.
Christina: Well, it’s not literally inspired by the four elements, but it’s an obsession that I have – to find likenesses between how I am feeling internally and how the natural world is feeling or acting. I write from the perspective of a naturalist. Both my experiences and emotions always intersect with that side of the world. Nature is both reassuring and beautiful but also dangerous and a constant struggle. So are human emotions.. However, the writing is not only metaphorical – it’s often quite literal.
We work on the instrumentals to find a place that reflects the concept of the writing. It is often very quiet, like the wilderness: just you, your thoughts, and the subtle sounds that accompany that space.
Jameson: When did you know that it was time to take your music public?
Christina: I don’t think I ever knew that it was time. It just happened. It felt like a really strange thing to do. To be honest, it completely threw my life off balance. I am not a performer by nature. Matt and I worked on some demo tracks together and all of the sudden we were getting asked to play shows.
We got a great response as “The Low Branches,” so we kept it up. There has been a lot of support and I’m really thankful for the people we’ve gotten to know along the way.
Jameson: Had you heard of Silent Music Revival before you were asked to play?
Christina: Yes, though Dave Watkin’s set was the first one we had been to. I like the idea. I’m sure many other musicians can attest that when writing songs, it often feels like you are writing a film, but it rarely becomes realized in a visual way. Silent Music Revival allows musicians to introduce their music into a new context which is out of their creative control – both exciting and scary.
Jameson: Does the idea of playing to a movie you have never seen make you nervous?
Christina: It is a little intimidating. But we’re not going to be approaching this simply as improvisational. I think we’re going to try and capture the mood of the film as best we can and let the music that we’ve already composed try to guide us through the story.
Matt: I experimented a lot in grad school with combining music and visuals with my friend and colleague Ben Gaydos. Although, I’ve typically had a board of effects and electronics to help create a sound-scape. With our current set up being purely acoustic, it will require a different approach, but I’m excited to try something new.
Jameson: If you could pick any film to play to as a live sound track which film would you choose?
Christina: Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time immediately comes to mind. Goldsworthy (visual artist) has been a great inspiration for me in many ways, and the film is breathtaking. It’s a documentary that I go back to and have the same sort of awestruck spiritual experience every time. It has a soundtrack by Fred Frith which is perfect, but I like the idea of experimenting with it… maybe incorporating voice.
Matt: I’d have to say Red, from Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colors trilogy. Such a beautiful and complex film, it’s become one of my all-time favorites. I’m not sure I could do it justice, but it would be fun to try.
More info can be found www.myspace.com/silentmusicrevival
Become fans of The Low Branches
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Silent Music Revival Presents:
Le Tempestaire (1947)
Live Soundtrack by: The Low Branches
Sunday, September 26th
8PM (sharp)
Gallery 5
FREE
