Quiero Agradecer; Music

The otherworldly scenes of Richard Ayoade's "Submarine" are subtly decorated with Alex Turner's voice all through out the film as we are taken on a journey across the hazy atmosphere of rainy Wales. Turner and Ayoade worked together to create a unique voice for the film, and to be frank it made it a million times better. When asked about their collaboration, Ayodae and Turner share that the songs were not written for the film in the first place. Alex wrote the album after reading the novel, not knowing that they were going to become the score of the film. The result however was marvelous, Turner's voice adds an extra dense layer of sentiment that makes the movie utterly special.

"I really like it when you have the music as a sort of opposite. So when they're running around during [the gorgeous lament] 'Hiding Tonight', all the stuff they're doing is quite violent. I like that. I guess it was a bit like that video we made for 'Fluorescent Adolescent' – you have something very violent juxtaposed with the song. You go off in the other direction."-Richard Ayodae for Independent UK 

Back in December when I started thinking about this project I knew exactly the voice that I wanted to decorate my images with. Last Summer my brother and I worked as counselors at a summer camp. There, we met an exceptional group of amazing people, most of which became part of our closest group of friends. Among them, we had the pleasure to meet Simon Grossman a remarkably talented Venezuelan singer and songwriter. We first listened to his music gathered around a campfire but he soon became a constantly present voice on our personal music library.

The raspy texture of his voice is only one of the multiple layers that help build up his unique pieces. I think that what makes him special is that his music is pure and sincere. He did not start making music for others, instead it started solely for himself, for his own escape, and his own method of expression. The lyrical aspect of his pieces is what I love most, with a few simple words, Simon can say so much, and make you feel so much. The combination of organic sounds, and effortless guitar melodies in Simon's music undoubtedly create the concept that Im thriving for in my piece. Therefore, Hues of Bl(u)e will be opened by one of his most recent songs "Quiero Agradecer," (Spanish for "I want to thank.")

This song is very special. When I listen to it I interpret it as being thankful for the little things. Even after being hurt by someone, or left in deep disappointment. The lyrics of the song talk about appreciating the ephemeral instances in life that once felt like magic. No matter how short, being thankful for experiencing certain moments that made you feel out of this world. Then, the song also talks about certain dreams that we must wake up from, grow up, and move on, regardless of how much it could hurt. I feel like the song is essentially a discussion on one of the many problems of human existence and development. Especially when growing up, we constantly encounter ourselve with the cycle of living short periods of magic followed by long periods of distress and disappointment, followed by periods of reflection, where we learn from our mistakes, where wake up, and finally move on.

Enjoy:
Quiero Agradecer - Simon Grossman

Resources: McLean, Craig. "Periscope Up: Richard Ayoade and Alex Turner Unite Their Talents in Hot New Brit Flick Submarine." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 19 Mar. 2009. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.