For years Stargate fans have known and loved his work. Without him, Stargate may never have become the memorable franchise that it is. Now the man who took the amazing and helped elevate it to the astounding is gone. Composer Joel Goldsmith died yesterday, April 29th, at the age of 54.
Joel composed the music for all 334 episodes of the three series of the Stargate franchise, plus the two SG-1 DVD movies. Joel was the one to take the original Stargate theme by David Arnold and adapt it into the SG-1 theme we all love. He collaborated with his famous father Jerry Goldsmith to create the score for Star Trek: First Contact in 1996. He was nominated for two other Emmy Awards, including his music for the SG-1 Season One episode “The Nox” and the Atlantis Season Two episode “Grace Under Pressure.”
When I saw the news yesterday I was indescribably sad. I never had the opportunity to meet him. I suspect very few fans ever got that chance. The closest I ever came was by ordering a copy of the Stargate Continuum soundtrack from his website, and for a few extra dollars he signed the CD booklet. It has always had a special spot in my collection of memorabilia.
Joel’s work has had an effect on so many fans. How many of us have scrambled to get to the TV as soon as we hear our favorite title theme? How many of us proud geeks can identify each theme that Joel created, from the Goa’uld’s chanting theme to the airy chords of the Ancient’s theme? In the years since Stargate Continuum was released I have often seen fans commenting on how well the first piece, ‘A Day in the SGC’, captures the very essence of the series. If anything more ever comes out of the Stargate franchise, the composer will have a very high standard to strive for.
For as long as I’ve attended, Dragon*Con has always had its particular music favorites: Abney Park, Voltaire, The Crux Shadows, and a few others that rotate in and out, many of them falling under the umbrella of goth or steampunk. That’s why this year I was surprised and delighted to see that an old electronic friend of mine, Freezepop, would be performing. Freezepop is a small electropop band from Seattle and while they may not have the deeper lyrics or tormented tone of many of the other Dragon*Con acts they do have is fun bippy music that everyone can dance to, perfect for 1:30 am on a Sunday morning.
Freezepop, starring a line-up of Liz Enthusiam, Robert John “Bananas” Foster, Sean Drinkwater and Christmas Disco-Marie Sagan took over the stage from Abney Park to a very well-warmed up group. The choice of leadband was excellent, after the meaty lyrics and deft instrumentation of Abney Park, Freezepop was like a refreshing sherbet to top off the night. Although there was some delay switching over the instruments, it gave the distinctly tipsy crowd a needed moment to stop, recover their hearing and scope out perspective attractive partners to jump around with (and in case of one unlucky girl, look for her gloves. I hope you found them!)
Freezepop performed a solid hour and a half set, featuring new songs and some of their iconic pieces, like “Science Genius Girl” and “Bicycle Thief”. The band had a great stage presence and kept the song set list moving briskly, although due to equipment issues the vocals were hard to understand. However, the enthusiasm of both the band and the audience made for a great combination before we all staggered off to bed, ears ringing. If Freezepop’s presence this year means that Dragon-Con is opening up to a greater variety of music acts, then I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!
What do you get when you combine electrical science and Tchaikovsky? A geeky way to show some holiday spirit! The video below features two solid state Tesla coils performing “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Believe it or not, the sparks that you see in the video are the source of the sound you’re hearing. Tesla coils produce electricity at such a high voltage that when the device discharges, the electrical energy is released into the air as heat, light, and sound. Using proper equipment, one can play a Tesla coil like a musical instrument! For a more detailed- and techier description- of how to get a Tesla coil to sing, this video is excellent.
Doctor Q told you all about Steampunky comics in the Clockwork Comics panel. Now it’s time to take a look at Steampunk music. Believe it or not, there’s a wide variety of Steampunk-inspired music out there just waiting to be heard. Take a look.
Attention all Steampunk fans. Dock your airships and put on your headphones! Abney Park has a new album coming soon and you don’t want to miss it!
That’s right, on October 15th the enigmatic and prolifically talented crew of the Ophelia will premiere “Off the Grid.” The album is already being called a “huge artistic breakthrough” for the band and features 13 never before released recordings including:
1. The Ballad of Ranch Hand Robbie
2. Bad Things Coming
3. Evil Man
4. The Apocalypse
5. Neither One Lets Go
6. Off the Grid
7. Stigmata Martyr
8. The Wrong Side
9. To the Apocalypse in Daddies Side Car
10. Space Cowboy
11. Aether Shanties
12. I’ve Been Wrong Before
13. My Life
Many of these tracks may sound familiar, but be assured, these are special! Why? According to Captain Robert,
Other then the machine used to make the recordings, everything on this album is completely unplugged. But far from being a handicap, this has triggered an explosion of creativity in Abney Park that has never before been rivaled. The result is an album that I am more proud of than anything to date!
“Off the Grid” goes on sale October 15th at noon Pacific time. The first 200 CDs will be numbered and autographed so you’ll want to make sure to be at your computer and ready to purchase. And while you’re there, make sure to pick up a copy of the Abney Park RPG! It’s rumored to be great fun!
For years Stargate fans have known and loved his work. Without him, Stargate may never have become the memorable franchise that it is. Now the man who took the amazing and helped elevate it to the astounding is gone. Composer Joel Goldsmith died yesterday, April 29th, at the age of 54.
