Calgary artist/musician Chad VanGaalen is a genius. I think I have called him that in this paper before, but I will say it again: genius. VanGaalen’s newest album Diaper Island (if you like that title, wait until you hear the record’s closing song, “Shave My Pussy”) comes out today on Sub Pop, and VanGaalen recorded and played everything himself. He also drew and animated this video himself. In other words, everything you see and hear in this video is Mr. VanGaalen.
You can go to the Diaper Island page and enter a contest, in which you need to locate a series of items included in the video, if you are so inclined. VanGaalen has a couple of live dates on his schedule—nothing in Portland yet, although hopefully that will change.
End Hits: Dammit, we can’t find the egg salad sandwich.
I disagree about the “genius” bit. While this is beautiful, it’s strongly reminiscent of The Fantastic Planet. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070544/)
That was a pretty cool video and song, but it looks and sounds like so much that has come out in the last 15 years. Like Sonic Youth or Real Estate with a Flying Lotus video.
This song is making the case for NOT playing all the instruments yourself.
egg salad sandwich at 3:12