It starts with what sounds like an explosion, a whirring noise that evokes a landing spaceship, and some spooky scratching. Then a fast techno beat and repetitive synth loop kicks in, with David Lynch's voice - high-pitched and run through an effects machine that makes him sound like a robot - layered over the top. "So tired," he sings, "send me an angel, save me. I want to have a good day today."
The song Good Day Today is one of two tracks released last week by Lynch, in what appears to be an unexpected career shift away from movies and towards music. Its companion song, I Know, is slower but no less atmospheric, with plaintive, repetitive vocals and a shuffling beat that sounds like slow-motion hip-hop. Both are available on iTunes, via the British independent label Sunday Best Recordings.
The idea of celebrities extending their personal brand from the world of Hollywood to planet Pop is common enough to have become a cliché. While the likes of Russell Crowe, Keanu Reeves and Jared Leto have been in long-running bands that take on a cult status (or, sometimes, the status of a joke) following their rise to fame, others, such as Juliette Lewis, Scarlett Johansson and Zooey Deschanel have turned to making music after becoming household names.
The results can be mixed. While Lewis, with her punk-rock band the Licks; Johansson, with an album of Tom Waits covers; and Zooey Deschanel, who makes up half of alt-country duet She & Him with the revered Oregon songsmith M Ward, are examples of how the transition can be made with style, but not everyone makes the leap as gracefully. Anyone who has heard the album Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favourites, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts' three LPs (with Russell Crowe on the mic) or Kevin Costner's country-rock record Untold Truths might start wishing that the actors involved had stuck to their day jobs.
Let's hope House star Hugh Laurie doesn't embarrass himself in a similar fashion. The comedian, writer and actor is certainly multi-talented: he can play five different instruments and his old buddy Stephen Fry has been praising his singing voice for years. Whether his forthcoming blues album on Warner Bros records will be a blemish on an otherwise spotless career remains to be seen. "I know the history of actors making music is a chequered one," he was reported as saying when the deal was announced, "but I promise no one will get hurt."
The fact that Laurie has written and directed in addition to acting bodes well: he's used to working creatively. While Hollywood actors are often better known for their good looks than their brains, directors are used to experimenting, developing ideas and creating mood.
There aren't too many director-turned-pop stars around, but Miranda July shows it can be done successfully. The multi-award winning writer-director is best known for her feature film You and Me and Everyone We Know, which was a hit at Cannes and Sundance, but she has also released four quirky records (two albums, two EPs) on the prestigious US indie labels K Records and Kill Rock Stars.
Like July, Lynch has better credentials to start making music than most. His movies are known for their meticulous sound design and he has written lyrics, produced and composed music for pop albums since the 1980s and has written music for his own films, including Inland Empire, on which he made his debut as a vocalist.
On the release of these two latest tracks, Lynch assured fans that he wasn't abandoning the world of film completely, although he has built a home studio to experiment in, and described music as a "magical medium" that can "really thrill the soul".
As if to prove his commitment to visuals, he has announced a competition to make promo videos for the two new songs: you can upload your creation at genero.tv between now and December 20, and the winners will be picked on January 3.
"I always say ideas are like fish," he says in a YouTube clip promoting the competition, "so get that line in deep and see what you can come up with."
Lynch gives every impression of a man not trading on his famous name for a vanity project, but expanding his creative output and challenging himself in a fresh arena. His songs may not have you dancing around the living room, but they are poignant and bold, showing us a rarely revealed personal side to an artist best known for terrifying and thrilling his audiences.
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Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Keita 5', Firmino 26'
Porto 0
T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Brief scores:
Liverpool 3
Mane 24', Shaqiri 73', 80'
Manchester United 1
Lingard 33'
Man of the Match: Fabinho (Liverpool)
German plea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the German parliament that. Russia had erected a new wall across Europe.
"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelenskyy told MPs.
Mr Zelenskyy was applauded by MPs in the Bundestag as he addressed Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly.
"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he said, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Price, base / as tested: Dh76,900 / Dh110,900
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: Torque: 352Nm @ 2,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.5L / 100km
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
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What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars