From: Brittany Rice
Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
My name is Brittany and I’m the Director of Social Media and Content at FX leading the marketing for A Murder at the End of the World. It’s quite refreshing to see the title pop up in my personal email inbox.
I may be a little biased but I’ll say a few things about this series -
1. Stick it out through the entire series. You’ve started at a great time - the 4th episode came out this week (of 7) and I personally think this is when things really pick up.
2. The creators, Brit and Zal have a cult following from their past projects, specifically Netflix’s The OA (another great watch, but the 2nd season may lean a bit too sci-fi for you). This niche but dedicated community is what has driven our marketing since day 1. They are Brit and Zal evangelists and watching them get giddy over our marketing and dive deep into the details and theories for the series is just as much fun as watching the series itself. I highly suggest perusing their Reddit page or Discord channel.
3. Speaking of the details, what really makes this, and all of Brit and Zal's work so special is the passion and details they put into everything. Here are a few of my favorite facts from this series -
All hacks in the series are real. They had Moxie Marlinspike (creator of Signal) brought on as a tech consultant.
It was important to the creators to not glorify or eroticize the body of dead women. No bodies of dead women are ever shown - only skeletons. This approach was inspired by a film called "Memories of a Murder" because it gave a sense of haunt and loss for the young women while maintaining a sensitivity that never made it feel like they were being objectified.
Andy Ronson’s character wasn't actually based on any current tech lord billionaires, but instead, is inspired by Willy Wonka. Wonka was a visionary and creative who built a fiefdom, obsessing over every detail, just like Andy and his fortress. The golden tickets come into play as invitations to the retreat and both Andy and Wonka have their own agendas once the guests arrive.
The paintings in the dining area are recreations of Louise Bourgeois’ 'The Red Sky' series. For Bourgeois, colors were symbolic of distinct emotional states. Red represents 'the intensity of the emotions involved,' and was often synonymous with pain. She equated it with blood, violence, danger, shame, jealousy, and depression. These emotions and visuals parallel the themes of the series. "Red Sky" can also reference the sailor's quote "Red sky at night, sailors delight" foreshadowing Rohan's storyline.
I care about this show a lot and it's very cool to see you write about a project I'm working on after following you since college (over a decade).
Hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
Best,
Brittany
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From: Bill Gerber
Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
I had the pleasure of producing The In Laws starring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks and I totally agree with Albert. He actually came up with the title The Wedding Party and it was a really good movie directed by Andy Fleming and I thought should have been a big hit. The studio decided to change the title so late in the game that I had already sent out the crew gifts with the old title. The original was a classic for a lot of reasons and our film was it’s own thing. I have nothing against remakes. They are practically as old as the business itself but you should have a good reason for doing it and having Albert and Michael was a great way to reimagine the story and coming up with an original title for the movie would definitely have been the right move.
Yours,
Billy
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Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
Cool side note, the hotel in the series is based on a real place, Deplar Farm in Iceland
They have a one of a kind recording studio. I’m part of the team that runs it. Makes watching the series even more enticing.
-rock steady
Jay Sweet
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Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
Bob, glad you found Murder at the End of the World. The fever excitement for this show is because of THE OA, Brit and Zal's previous masterpiece. THE OA was notoriously cancelled by Netflix after a mind-bending 2-season run that ended with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Fans of THE OA (myself included) have been holding onto hope that the show would somehow come back. You must watch it to understand how it's possible for it to come back "reincarnated" as another show...and there is growing speculation that "Murder at the End Of The World" may tie-in to the OA universe. Those who know, knew. Excited to see how this plays out and I cannot recommend THE OA high enough.
- Wordburglar
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Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
As far as "Murder At The End Of The World," there's a small group of people like myself who were completely mesmerized by an insane two-season series on Netflix called "The OA" that was co-produced and co-written by Brit Marling and her creative partner Zal Batmanglij that I urge you to track down when you can. It's weirder and more difficult and far trippier than this show but these two are operating on their own wavelength and that's what you've picked up on.
Best regards,
Bruce Stockler
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Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
Speaking of Brit Marling. Try watching The AO. Brit as some kind of alien/angel character.
Story is enjoyable enough, but final episiode closing minutes the most satisfying since Breaking Bad….
Alan Santos
East West Touring, Inc.
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Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
Our new Friday night show.
The Doors was welcomed - a new generation will be on their path these past days due to that moment - it must sound other worldly to new ears.
As it came on my wife impersonates me sadly as “The Doors, whoa they must have a budget to get that…”
Alan Cassidy
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Re: A Murder At The End Of The World
I am watching. Two episodes in, and I am already enjoying watching it tangle and untangle.
Allen Scott
Another Planet Entertainment
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From: Noah Cole
Subject: Spotify Wrapped
Every year Spotify improves its wrapped feature/marketing campaign, and Apple Music subscribers can only look at our "Replays" and wish we had what Spotify subscribers are getting -- loads more data, thank you from their top artists and a user-friendly format. Not only that, the information in my Apple Music Replay is *wrong* (and I'm not alone:
www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/186402u/apple_musics_replay_is_out/) so I don't even trust what Apple Music is telling me about my listening habit. Apple is clearly capable of making great things (the new OS X Sonoma and IOS 17 look and function really well for example) but they're continuing to let Apple Music languish. No wonder Spotify has such a commanding lead in their race for subscribers.
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Re: Chinatown Punk Wars
I’m finally realizing why music today isn’t as good. It’s not authentic. Kurt Kobain really did hate his life and want to die. That’s why he made it happen. Johnny Rotten truly hated authority and embodied the punk movement. The hippies of the 60’s were all about peace love and happiness and it showed in their music. Tupac and Biggie represented their coasts until their deaths. When Olivia Rodrigo sings a pop punk song, it’s just imitating what was before it. When Dua Lipa sings a dance song, it’s her trying to be disco funk. Greta Van Fleet is just imitating 70’s classic rock. There’s no rock stars anymore.
All I see and hear are regurgitations of earlier iterations. And when there’s some success now, it turns into a massive sellathon. Rihanna makes it in music then goes off to hock perfume and join the billionaire class. Being an artist was rebelling. Now it’s all about conforming. Building your brand. And the music is suffering.
Danny Jay
Skip Class and The Dropouts
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Subject: Re: Simon Kirke-This Week's Podcast
I love your politics and I've been avid reader for years, but I just recently started occasionally listening to some of your podcast and I have to say that the one with Simon Kirke was absolutely amazing. You ask such insightful, knowledgeable questions and Simon is such an intelligent and natural raconteur that he should probably write a book.
I think Free was one of the most incredible and influential rock bands of all time, and Bad Company was pretty great as well. Being a lifelong working guitarist myself, part of me wishes that you had talked a little bit about the amazing song on Fire and Water, "Oh I Wept" , which was a rare Paul Kossoff cowrite and maybe one of the most powerful and beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life, but as I said, I'm a guitar nerd so maybe it's just me. I also would have liked to have heard Simon talk a little bit about the last Free album, "Heartbreaker", which had some of Kossoff's most stunning work on it even though he was severely impaired by then, and they had to bring in the great Snuffy Walden (Stray Dog -another amazing but little-known band/ successful film and television soundtrack composer) to finish it up, but like I said, I'm a bit of a guitar nerd.
Anyways, absolutely one of the best interviews with a musician I have ever heard in my life, and please keep up the amazing work you're doing, both with your writing about music, society, the economy, and politics. Thank you....
David Resch
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From: Steve Postell
Subject: Immediate Family
Bob,
Thank you for your kind words about Denny Tedesco's wonderful documentary. "THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY". There were 4 guys who made me want to be in a band and write songs ... The Beatles. Some years later, I watched 4 different guys on stage with James Taylor, and I knew that I also wanted to make and produce records, tour, and strive to be a musician who could contribute to a song. I would NEVER have guessed that 40 years later I would be in a band with Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Russ Kunkel and Leland Sklar. Denny has accomplished quite a feat, not just the documenting of a time in rock 'n roll history, but intimately capturing what it feels like to be part of this crazy life. I know it's a great film, because everytime we went to a screening or festival, I figured that since I'd seen it multiple times I would take a walk and return in time for the Q&A ... but I never did. I got sucked into the story every time.
Steve Postell
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From: Jesse Lundy
Subject: Re: The Immediate Family Movie
We got to do a show with this band at Ardmore Music Hall in the fall of 2021.
Let me tell you that walking into the green room and seeing THOSE faces...wow. What am I going to say to THOSE guys?
I asked Waddy how he got away with playing through a full-on Marshall stack on the Main Offender tour...
"Did you ever play with Keith Richards?"
"Um, nope, haven't done that"
"Well, he plays LOUD"
I felt like a putz, but hey.
The show was so good, and they were really great to meet. A massive honor.
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From: Charles Kennedy
Subject: Re: The WaPo OnlyFans Article
My pal who does not brilliantly edited airline reviews on YouTube makes $20,000/mo while my muso buddies think the world’s waiting for their next album and when they get $27 in royalties they think it’s Spotify’s fault
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From: Greg Thompson
Subject: Grammys/Morgan Wallen
Date: November 10, 2023
Bob thanks for writing this.
It’s truly a shame, I know Morgan and he is a good man.
He has apologized but for some reason or another it will never be good enough.
He has released two albums back to back that have been some of the most culturally significant music of the last five years.
He fills stadiums from coast to coast, and brings happiness to so many of his fans every night.
Morgan woke up a winner this morning and he’ll go to sleep a winner tonight.
Best
Greg.
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From: Aaron Lloyd Barr
Subject: Grammys/Morgan Wallen
100% thank you for writing this.
Bottom line, the double record is incredible. Makes me want to listen to country music again. Coming from a guy who spent 15 years in the nyc indie scene and now lives in LA.
Aaron
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From: Patrick Charles
Subject: Re: Grammys/Morgan Wallen
I think the problem is people trying to avoid something they aren’t sure exists.
I’m Black and honestly couldn’t care less about what he said. Make no mistake: I hate it. But what are you gonna do? Yes, white kids hear it on records and adopt the vernacular.
The real problem is the people at the Grammys who think they’re looking out for my interests. Stand by your guy. I’ll vote with my dollars. I don’t need anyone to hide him from me
Patrick,
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From: Dana John
Subject: Re: Declan McKenna At The Novo
I saw him at ACL this year and was blown away. The music has depth but the band doesn't seem to take themselves too seriously. It was playful with substance. In a world filled with BS this guy exudes singularity and sincerity. The optimist in me thinks that you don't have to be too cool anymore, you just have to be you. That draws attention when you are special, which he seems to be
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Subject: Re: Declan McKenna At The Novo
Glad you got turned onto him!
We have been having good success with him at college radio with the singles. They love him! Looking forward to working the LP.
Adam Lewis
Planetary Group
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From: Gunnar Larsén
Subject: Re: Declan McKenna At The Novo
Your story reminded me of a Declan McKenna anecdote: I am writing to
you from London, and as you may recall the country was in lockdown for
weeks during Covid. Everything was cancelled, including Declan
McKenna's Brixton Academy 2020 gig in support of his then new (and
excellent) album Zeros.
Fast forward to September 2021, when doors started to open again. I
have a music-loving teenage daughter who like many struggled with
being isolated and not able to share experiences in real life with her
friends. So, when the Declan-gig finally was put on at Brixton, it was
an absolute joy to watch the fully locked-in audience sing along,
dance and enjoy a positively charming and festive night. Declan's
somewhat extravagant persona, backed up by tight band, a decent
catalogue, confetti and mirror balls, really lit up the room and once
again demonstrated how live music, and probably only live music, can
bring a certain kind of joy to people. For that, I am grateful.
Regards,
Gunnar
London
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From: Denise Kaufman
Subject: Declan McKenna
My grandson Eli Smart went on tour this summer opening for Declan McKenna. I came along playing bass and harmonica in Eli’s band. Every venue on the tour was sold out and Declan and his band put on a high energy show every night. Isabel Torres, the guitar player you mentioned, is a wonderful musician from Portugal. The rest of the guys are British and they’re all excellent players with joyful energy. Declan and his team are also some of the kindest, good-spirited folks around. This includes his tour manager, road crew, guitar tech - everyone! We had so many good times together and you know that’s just not a given on the road.
As you said, Declan’s fans sing along with all his songs and know every word. They were also really welcoming to Eli from the moment we got on stage even though most of them were meeting him for the first time. They were just open-hearted and trusted that anyone Declan brought with him would be someone they’d love. And they did. Some fans had family members with them (as you said - parents brought the young girls) and they loved that we had a rocking grandson/grandma as part of our band.
Declan McKenna is the real thing and the tour fortified my faith in and love for the young ones across this country.
Denise Kaufman
www.aceofcups.com ____________________________________________________
From: Doug Gillis
Subject: Re: Declan McKenna At The Novo
Listening to Brazil right now on YouTube, he's very good live, has that charisma. Downloading his 2017 album now.
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From: Jon Stein
Subject: Where Are you Dave Matthews?
Date: November 22, 2023 at 7:21:24 PM PST
“It's not the notes you play; it's the notes you don't play.” - Miles Davis
Dear Bob,
I am reaching out on behalf of myself, fellow Jewish professionals in the music industry (who wish to remain anonymous), and fellow Jewish Dave Matthews fans.
This past weekend at Madison Square Garden, Dave Matthews, holding back tears, spoke of video he saw of a little girl in Gaza holding out her hands and catching the rain. He then proceeded to play his song Cry Freedom with red and green lights (likely representing the Palestinian flag) shining on the crowd. This preceded his comments 2 weeks prior during his speech inducting Willie Nelson into the Hall Of Fame where Dave mentioned ‘countries dropping bombs on children and calling it collateral damage”. Meanwhile, at Madison Square Garden, several Jewish fans walked out. It matters what you say, and what you don’t say - especially when you use your platform to speak politically about the ongoing war. Dave Matthews has a significant Jewish fanbase who currently feel alienated by him. Social Media influencer and huge Dave-fan Lindsay Pinchuk reached out to saxophonist Jeff Coffin on Instagram asking about the green and red lights and Dave’s sympathy for Gaza. Coffin wrote “take ur disappointment somewhere else” and then blocked her. The next day, founding bassist Stefan Lessard posted a poignant message about sympathizing with all children. “I ache concern for those in captivity and those stuck under falling bombs… my wish is the liberation of the hostages and the assurance of safety and brighter tomorrows for all the children in Israel and Gaza”. Lessard’s balanced comment spread through the Jewish community; however, what is alarming is his comment clearly showed that the band has their ear to the ground and Dave knows his Jewish fans took his comment the wrong way (hopefully not the right way), but he has remained silent. Not even a simple clarification that he cares about all children. Therein lies the complexity of one using their platform. Dave Matthews has alienating an enormous section of his fans. While I am sure of course Dave cares about all children, a one-sided comment perpetuates one-sided blame, which further perpetuates antisemitism. No, Dave Matthews does not need to stand on stage and mention the details of Hamas’ October 7 attack where they beheaded and burned babies in ovens, murdered parents in front of their families, raped girls dead and alive, decapitated body parts of living civilians, paraded dead bodies through the street, and kidnapped 250 civilian hostages including women, children, and the elderly. Could Dave have just made a general wish for peace? Could Dave have prayed for the safety of all children? If he is going to specify a child from Gaza, on stage at Madison Square Garden, should he also mention the children who were barbarically murdered or being held hostage? Especially with so many Jewish fans in attendance. This is New York City after all! I was moved by this comment on a Dave Matthews Instagram picture: “I was speechless when I was asked by my 11 year old at MSG 1 “who did Dave not mention Jewish kids?”". I have been a fan for 30 years. I sadly walked out of the show, and cannot listen to Dave again until he clarifies his comment (and the green/red lights).. Sadly, there are threads and texts of Jewish fans feeling the same way.
Where are you Dave?
Jon Stein
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Subject: Re: The Sam Harris Podcast
Date: November 14, 2023
Hey Bob, as you know, I live in Indonesia, the largest collection of Muslims on the planet. It's not just Israel that is being "blamed" but all western corporations are being blacklisted and social media is full of nasty rhetoric the likes I have not seen in 9 years of living here .
This is a Great Podcast and if you think Sam Harris is a little sleepy you can always run it at 1.25 speed !!
Steve Lillywhite
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