Thursday, February 23, 2012

girl walk // all day...


Have you seen this? I'm so in love with it.

This video is part 2/12 that make up the film Girl Walk //All Day
Here's a peek at what the New York Times had to say about the project:
"It is no surprise that people go nuts for the trailer. It is weird and joyous, popping with youth and energy. At first, Marsen looks more like an enthusiastic and slightly dorky amateur than a trained dance pro. She wears regular tennis shoes and worn gray cords and an oversize, multicolored jacket, and at one point she falls off the railing of an escalator. It’s not until a minute or so in, as she twirls and gyrates through the ferry’s upper level, staring down the camera with a sly smile on her face as sleepy commuters pretend not to notice, that you start to suspect that you’re watching something more than a little magical." Read more...

What originated as a grass-roots effort, became a craigslist call to artists... gained steam (and fans) on kickstarter, and has gone on to dance its way into countless hearts worldwide. I've seen a few references to this film, calling it "The ultimate love letter to NYC", and I think that's pretty accurate. The dancers play through the City like it's a great, big, architectural jungle gym. So many amazing landmarks, cultures, and events are represented here; heck, even the less-amazing ones are elevated to cool ranks, just for their inclusion! I dare you to watch and not feel like getting up and dancing like a crazy, happy, lunatic yourself. Jeff secretly wants to dance through the streets of SLO. I'm afraid that people here would call the cops. You gotta love the majority of jaded New Yorkers, who totally ignore Anne Marsen's awesomely enthusiastic grooving. I so badly want to be on the subway ride-turned-inpromptu-dance party in part 7 of the film.


While I appreciate a good free-form dance through the streets of New York as much as anyone, I was immediately struck by the soundtrack. I mean, struck- like lightening struck. This is hands down the best mix/mashup/audio-soup I've ever heard. Ever. Ever. Ever.

372 overlapping sample tracks from Iggy Pop, Rick Ross, Bananarama, Aphex Twin, Arcade Fire, Beastie Boys, Pat Benatar, Notorious B.I.G., The Clash, John Lennon... it just goes on and on and on. You'll be like "OH MY GOD, I LOOOVE THIS SONG!" and "YESSS! I HAVEN'T HEARD THIS IN SO LONG!" and even a few "WHAT IS THIS? I LOVE IT!" It would make the best running mix of all time. This incredible 71 minute track is seamlessly (and expertly) mixed by Gregg Gillis aka Girl Talk. What's even more incredible? The entire track is offered as a FREE DOWNLOAD from the Illegal Art Record Label site. What are you waiting for? Go get it now!

The Girl Walk crew has taken the show on the road with screenings and events across the country. I'm super jealous of everyone who gets to go see them in L.A. this week for the final stop on their West Coast tour. If you can't make it to an event, you can visit their website and shop to support the project.

I'll be Girl Walk'ing through town in the skeletank, trying not to act like The Creep.



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