Even though he likes to pick and chose his projects carefully, Jason Falkner has had an amazing run of recording dates—both on solo albums and as a sideman with the likes of Beck, Air and Paul McCartney—that would turn most musicians pea green. And Falkner has also been a crucial part of critically lauded releases by ’90s indie-rock heroes Eric Matthews, the Grays and Jellyfish, as well as getting his feet wet with original Paisley Underground cult combo the Three O’Clock. Falkner has a stellar solo set due out this summer called All Quiet On The Noise Floor that threatens to pass his previous solo release, I’m OK, You’re OK (from February), like a slow runner being lapped on the bases by a real speedburner. Falkner is guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with him and our 2008 Jellyfish feature.
Falkner: Brian De Palma really nailed it with Phantom Of The Paradise. There isn’t a wackier music-biz-nightmare story than this film. Made in 1974 and featuring songwriter Paul Williams as the evil music producer/label owner and the lovely Jessica Harper (who also stars in another favorite film of mine, Suspiria), this is a take on The Phantom Of The Opera saga but bears very little resemblance. Campy, disturbing and beautifully shot, this film makes Rocky Horror look like Law And Order. Been a De Palma follower ever since seeing this in the early ’90s.
Video after the jump.
