I took an action item at lunch with friends to send this letter a few weeks back.
I decided that finding John Darnielle’s address or email and then sending him this would sound too much like a request. And, walking by Merge Records to just drop it off would be super creepy. Instead I’ll just leave this here. I’m not asking anyone to do this. Here’s just something that would be nice to see in the world. Something to daydream about. Something that if it existed, I’d go to see.
The background: Everyone is doing live album sets at shows for 10 year album anniversaries, and I love it. Last week, we went to see Slothrust and Weakened Friends at Motorco, and it was fantastic. It was the 10 year anniversary of Slothrust’s “Of Course You Do.” At one point the lead singer, Leah, was running across the stage, re-enacting the hamster in a plastic ball. This was further confirmation that I’m on the right path.
Hear me out.
The ten year anniversary of Beat the Champ is in 2025. This is a concept album based on the career of a wrestler, tracking the arc of his life. It captures his triumphs, rages, defeats, and the cold realities of aging in a life hard-lived.
What this really demands is a live-action performance. The musicians could occupy the orchestra pit, while the action happens on stage. Alternatively, a stage setup with musicians in the back and space for our actors up front.
Imagine a stage with a few unique sets that track the arc of the album. We’d need a locker room, a wrestling ring with ropes, and a dilapidated front porch.
Now that we have the set design, we need a few props. A werewolf mask, a bull whip, a sharp thing shaped like an astrolabe, and some fake blood that can be whipped onto the front row of the audience.
Each song would use the set pieces and props in different ways to complement the story on the album. It would be no small task to choreograph and put this show on, but I really think it would be a sight to behold.
Alright – now I consider my duty discharged. This idea is in the world.
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