Soundtracks to an Inferno
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It's being called the largest fire in the history of the region. In a bit of positive news, the latest word is that the Angeles National Forest blaze will be under control sooner (next Tuesday) rather than later (the original estimate of September 15). But it's still fire season in Southern California, and there are a couple more flaming emergencies happening in the area. The temperature is also in the 90s. The heat is on, quite literally.
As clips of the conflagration hit YouTube, some bear appropriate soundtracks. I've embedded a few examples. It's worth noting that I haven't found anything jokey like "Fire" by the Ohio Players or "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. Many would agree that this is too serious a sitch to be taken lightly.
Perhaps the canniest use of music that I've come across on a video of the fire is the addition of So-Cal neo-punk band Bad Religion's "Los Angeles is Burning" to time-lapse shots taken from the Mt. Wilson Observatory at the heart of the blaze.
A segment showing the growing clouds of smoke that are filling the skies above the fire zone is accompanied by an excerpt of "Song of Sophia" by Brit art-rock/world music chamber duo Dead Can Dance.
Similarly, a part of "The Bass Voice v1," an electro piece from the Solo CD by Technician, enhances another series of roiling smoke clouds.
Here's a sequence similar to what I was seeing on Monday night from my friend's deck overlooking Studio City. The drums enhance the drama, although my view was a little more harrowing, including what appeared to be a near-Biblical pillar of fire.
Finally, silence can have an undeniable eloquence. This is footage shot by someone standing on the roof of a house in La Cañada Flintridge - a town next to the enflamed forest. Like a vision of Hell…
Comments (8)
I've got friends that just moved here from the UK crashing at my flat on the Westside due to the fires. Interesting perspective though.....if you're looking for a brightside:
it's not windy.
Of course there are people whose homes have been hit, but the Station Fire is currently burning acres and acres of land that hasn't burned in around 50 years and it's not spreading as wildly as it might have. The Fire Department's been more in "containment" mode than trying to actually extinguish this thing.
Hearts out to the peeps that HAVE been hit, but there are many people who are looking at the future and feeling that the odds are now a bit better for them with less to burn. They kind of got away with it. Weird, huh?
True, Robin. A burn was due. A controlled burn would've been better. And it is a little more humid now, so not quite so tinder-y. Small blessings?
All i can stay is stay safe Mike. Put those marshmellows on REAL LONG sticks.
dmdm: Duly noted. Stuff's getting toasted all right, but I might put off the good kind of toasting until there's a reason to celebrate. BTW, Robin Danar and I are both located on the West side, closer to the ocean, so we be cool.
Have a friend up in the Tujunga area that is on the edge of the zone. He has a garage studio with the last Gold Star studios mixing desk in it and a load of vintage outboard gear. Keep praying that he stays safe.
Hoping for the best. Right now, that's a very treacherous neck of the woods. And the timetable for containment is varying as the clock ticks. Someone should seed the clouds - and fast.
Knifey, i've been able to somehow follow this most disastrous situation on TV. i'm hoping for the best and that you and your loved ones stay unharmed.
Thanks, poeby. I'm not near the fire zone, and I'm thankful that my pals out there got through the worst of it. They say the so-called Station Fire in Angeles National Park will be 100 percent contained by Tuesday, but unseasonable heat and the Santa Ana winds are coming this week - a very dangerous combo when there's still dry wood around. We shall see.