Silent Films Find an Audience Again

Silent Films at NYC’s Film Forum has been offering newcomers and silent film enthusiasts the opportunity to view classics backdropped with live music for the past 40 years—and Steve Sterner, the program’s piano accompanist, has spearheaded the task for the last 35. But a large portion of the audience is comprised of viewers who have lived less than half that span: for example, “Shane Fleming, …

Sylvan Esso feat. Collections of Colonies of Bees: Funeral Singers (Califone Cover)

This cover of experimental post-rock band Califone‘s “Funeral Singers” (from 2009’s All My Friends Are Funeral Singers) by Sylvan Esso and Collections of Colonies of Bees sublimely blends all three outfits’ distinct styles. The tune fuses moody electro-pop and indie rock, beginning with Amelia Meath’s gorgeous, familiar vocals—which are then layered with more and more voices. The song builds rhythmically and eerily, ultimately creating an emotional three-minute journey.

Slow Yourself Down to the Sounds of Irish Cattle Grazing

From the sounds of cows being herded up a mountain to leaves crunching underfoot on a countryside walk, BBC’s Radio 3 will soon include programming aimed at meditative relaxation. At present, their (generally older) audience tunes in for jazz, opera and classical music. With the upcoming “slow radio,” the BBC is tapping into, more or less, the success of ASMR—quieter, soothing sounds. Radio 3 controller Alan …