Archive
Mike Patton – The Solitude of Prime Numbers [Nov 2011]
Update 10/17: the CD is now available to order.
FAITH NO MORE singer Mike Patton, moved by the Paolo Giordano novel The Solitude Of Prime Numbers and having contributed music to the movie of the same name, has created a 16-track release that boasts some of the most contemplative and stirring music of his multi-faceted career with Patton describing the release as a personal “sonic departure.” The album, titled “Music From The Film And Inspired By The Book The Solitude Of Prime Numbers (La Solitudine Dei Numeri Primi)”, has been set for a November 1 release via Ipecac Recordings.
Where Patton’s projects (FANTÔMAS, MONDO CANE, TOMAHAWK) often thrive on abrupt transitions and multi-layered instrumentation, “The Solitude Of Prime Numbers” collection boasts a cinematic feel that allows instruments an individual voice, emphasizes isolated notes and subtly transitions from piece to piece, acutely capturing the introspective and reflective feel of the novel. The album’s intricate packaging further conveys this dramatic and minimalistic approach, with a multi-panel digipak featuring a leaf cut out, embossed with a locking mechanism.
“The Solitude Of Prime Numbers” was released in 2008 and quickly became a national sensation in Italy where it sold over one million copies before it was translated into thirty languages worldwide. The novel tells the story of two individuals, Mattia and Alice, whose lives parallel each other in uncanny ways, like twin primes: both lonely but close to each other, separated by an even number. In 2010, a movie based upon the book, starring Isabella Rossellini and directed by Saverio Costanzo (“Private”, “In Memory Of Myself”) was released.
“Music From The Film And Inspired By The Book The Solitude Of Prime Numbers (La Solitudine Dei Numeri Primi)” features a unique arrangement with each track sequentially numbered with the first 16 prime numbers:
Tracklist
02. Twin Primes
03. Identity Matrix
05. Method of Infinite Descent
07. Contrapositive
11. Cicatrix
13. Abscissa
17. Isolated Primes
19. Radius of Convergence
23. Separatrix
29. The Snow Angel
31. Apnoea
37. Supersingular Primes
41. Quadratix
43. Calculus of Finite Differences
47. Zeroth
53. Weight of Consequences
Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane – North American Tour
Update July 2011: it looks as though funding fell short for a North American Mondo Cane tour for 2011.
Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane was one of the absolute best albums of 2010… and by far the best packaged piece of musical art. He took it on the road for a few European dates and a San Francisco date in 2010, but sadly nothing else. Well, just announced on Cyro Baptista’s Facebook page and confirmed on Patton’s PR firm The Agency Group’s bio page (quote below), Mondo Cane will be at New York City’s Lincoln Center (in August – no specific date yet) with a North American tour as well:
Upcoming appearances include a concert at Lincoln Center with John Zorn, presented by New York City Opera, and a North American tour of Mondo Cane.
I’m hoping there is a good West Coast date or two… Portland? Seattle? Vancouver? Hell, I’ll even hit San Francisco if I can. No word on dates yet, but once they’re announced, be sure I’ll post them! Note: There is already a confirmed date in Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 17, 2011.
If you don’t know about Mondo Cane – it’s not like Mike Patton’s other work (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, et cetera). It’s his 50s Italian pop big band group… listen to some samples over on the Amazons:
Faith No More & Sparks (live last night)
A lot of bands put out special one-off collaborations. Not many actually perform those one-off songs in a live setting.
Well, Faith No More‘s collaboration with Sparks called “This Town Ain’t Big Enough For the Both of Us” is one of my favorite b-sides of theirs. They did it last night at the Los Angeles Paladium show (Dec 1, 2010)… with Sparks…
Officially, surprisingly MORE jealous of those who went – as this seems legendary. FYI, the recorded version was released as a UK single and on Sparks’ Plagiarism album.
~Dan – np: Faith No More vs. Sparks – This Town Ain’t Big Enough
Tango Saloon with Mike Patton (video)
How did I miss this video for two years?
Cartoon animation (from the Portuguese cartoon O Vampiro Turma da Monica) to the Tango Saloon song “Dracula Cha Cha” featuring Mike Patton on vocals.
“Dracula Cha Cha” comes from Tango Saloon’s Transylvania (out in 2008 – which hasn’t appeared stateside, yet). Mike Patton (whose Ipecac label released the Tango Saloon’s debut album in the U.S.) is only featured on the one track. Patton fans, don’t discount that… the entire album is pretty great.
I got my copy via the Amazons… for not too hefty a price (but now it’s ludicrous). you may have better luck contacting bandleader Julian Curwin directly (via one of his MySpace pages).
Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane vinyl (photos)
Mike Patton posted these shots of the Mondo Cane vinyl to his Facebook page yesterday. It’s lookin’ niiiiiiice! It’s also limited edition; so if you haven’t ordered it – get on that soon!
Pretty!
Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane in SF
Wanderlusting took some fantastic photos of Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane show at San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival this past weekend… check ’em out (click the picture below for more):
Stubbadubb also posted a photo of Mr Bungle / Secret Chiefs 3 frontman Trey Spruance playing guitar with Mondo Cane. Here’s hoping Mike and Trey keep up the showing up in the same places together… :)
Also, here’s some video of the show…
I’m so jealous… wish I could have gone…