Musicians, Artists, Art, Lynch and Frost
An artist makes art. Music is art. Twin Peaks co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost are not just filmmakers — they’re artists.
Music is a big part of what Twin Peaks is and what it’s become. In the new season of the show, there’s a pointed effort to incorporate not just specific types of music, but specific bands, and specific performances by those bands.
To conclude many of the new season’s episodes, there is a performance by a real, currently-existing-band, performing one of their own songs. Lynch and Frost take the meaning of “soundtrack” to a new level in the new Twin Peaks, and frankly, it’s really fun to watch.
Those that have seen Lynch’s other work know that this isn’t the first time he’s incorporated musical performance into film. In this case however, there is more variety in artists.
In that variety, I’ve been introduced to a few new unique, Lynch-esque, mostly keyboard-heavy bands.
Chromatics, The Cactus Blossoms, and Au Revoir Simone are three bands I had never heard before watching the new Twin Peaks. They conclude different episodes, taking the final scene into the credit roll. And even as the credits roll across the band members’ faces, I can’t help but leave the show on until the very end.
It’s just another factor that adds to the experience of watching Twin Peaks.
1. Chromatics
Chromatics is the first band to appear in the show. They wrap up the season premiere by performing their song “Shadow.”
There isn’t much wonder with this one. Had I heard this song a year ago, I would have thought, “Wow, that sounds like something that’d be in a Lynch film.” Not to mention the deliberate tribute to the show in the music video.
The backdrop for the video is a Twin Peaks red curtain. To be a bit more discrete, the guitarist is wearing what looks like an Owl Cave ring. The video was said to be a direct tribute to Twin Peaks and Julee Cruise.
Chromatics are very dreamy. Twin Peaks is very dreamy. This was meant to be.
2. The Cactus Blossoms
This has been my favorite musical performance of the season thus far. The floating, smooth, ’60s sound of The Cactus Blossoms was a very pleasant surprise for me. The genre is a bit less expected than something like Chromatics, but still fitting to the show.
“Mississippi” has been on my go-to playlist ever since watching Part 3 of the new season of Twin Peaks. They’ve been my personal standout and will be a band I pay close attention to moving forward. Mark me down as a fan.
3. Au Revoir Simone
First of all, yes, that is Sky Ferreira at the beginning of the video. And no, Twin Peaks did not introduce me to her…
Nonetheless, Au Revoir Simone has actually appeared twice on Twin Peaks thus far. In their second appearance (Part 9), they perform the song, “A Violent Yet Flammable World.”
The vocals in this song are nothing short of hypnotizing. I’ll leave it at that.
4. James Hurley
Um, just kidding, I think… Something about this guy breaks my heart too, random-woman-in-the-booth.
A Work of Art
Chromatics, The Cactus Blossoms, and Au Revoir Simone are not where the great performances end, however. Nine Inch Nails, Sharon Van Etten, and Trouble (including band member Riley Lynch, David Lynch’s son) put on their own unique performances as well; seemingly fitting perfectly with the tone of each episode.
David Lynch and Mark Frost, along with a spectacular show, have given us many different types of “groovy” throughout this season. They don’t make television shows; they make beautiful, weird, amazing art.
I just can’t wait to see what comes next.
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