Javelin's Canyon Candy: A Western Epic

Disco sampling savages Javelin are at it again, this time with the western frontier in mind. Javelin, along with friend and past collaborator, director Mike Anderson, plan to produce an epic Western entitled Canyon Candy, or Blood of the Rio Grande, with an accompanying score composed by Javelin themselvesThe score for the film, a 10 in. EP, was released April 16th, on Record Store Day, by Luaka Bop Records. The album itself is a limited edition, hand pressed-- and to show their commitment to the project-- hand branded masterpiece that only Javelin could have composed.

Canyon Candy truly plays as a backdrop to a lone cowpoke's journey through America's badlands in a search for something: wealth, love, revenge? It's never made quite clear. What is clear is Javelin's unmatchable sampling abilities, which are effectively layered and unbelievably melodic, the only way Javelin knows.

Their shift from the funky dance jams of their earlier work, Jamz 'n Jemz and No Mas, to the sprawling uncertrainty of the old West is seamless and surprising. Songs like album stand outs "Esteves" and "Waterfalls" display the charming sonics of Javelin, but have an undeniably Southwestern style. "Esteves" opens with a lonesome sounding slide guitar that begins to splinter and layer, with pieces winding effortlessly between one another. The swaying rhythm of the twangy guitars create a lush and emotional Western drawl in an incredibly unconventional way.

Album closer, "Waterfalls", is similar in it's set-up with effectively splintered and layered pitchy vocals fused with the eagle cry of a broken slide guitar, creating the old-time rhythm throughout. This track has an uplifting sense of accomplishment and finality, directly followed by a minute of the relaxing cricket chirps of a quiet and restful night on the Western front after a hard days' travels.

Javelin's interpretation of a glitchy Wild West is at times emotionally evocative, and at times just downright goofy. The wacky and whimsical mentality we've come to associate with Javelin is still very present in their most recent effort. Songs like the spliced hip-hop country mash up of "Colorado Trail", the whistlin' side-shooter narrative of "Winchesters", and the trot-paced southern belle harmonies coating "Sagebrush", show us that, despite the dreary subject matter, Javelin can still have fun.

The film portion of the project began with a campaign on the website Kickstarter to raise funds for the production costs of the film. Kickstarter is a way for people in various creative fields to gain access to funds for projects through pledges. They are then given a certain amount of time to ensure safety if financial goals aren't met by developers. This method allows a large creative pool to produce costly productions without the use of loans and investments, fostering a completely self-controlled creative experience. Javelin, director Mike Anderson, and producer Oscar Boyson's campaign began in the beginning of March with a goal of $9,500. Their goal was met on April 9th, and has since exceeded the initial amount by rounding up pledges totaling $12,505. Each series of pledge amounts were matched with awards ranging anywhere from a personalized thank you postcard, a playbutton containing the Canyon Candy score, a DVD of the film, or even an executive producer credit.

The score for Canyon Candy was not only released as a limited-edition record, but also as a Playbutton. New York based design company Parte LLC developed the Playbutton, which is an innovative way to listen to a record while still maintaining a tangible connection that's been lacking in the age of digital music. Crate-diggers, like Javelin, who's basis is upon the physicality of the LP and tapes of yore, obviously would be down to entertain the idea of a new way to bring music back into the hands of the listener. They crafted a custom Canyon Candy Sheriff's badge playbutton to add to the effect.

Given the restraints of creating a score for a then unmade film, Javelin sure have a knack for melody and theme. The album as a whole offers its own narrative, but also a sprawling glimpse into what we can only imagine will be, as Mike Anderson said of Canyon Candy, "The most beautiful thing you will ever see in your entire life."

 

Here are a few tracks from Javelin's Canyon Candy score, paired with western footage unrelated to the actual Canyon Candy film.

"Estevez"

"Waterfalls"

"Fievel Goes West"

"Strawberry Roan"

Kickstarter campaign video:

Purchase Canyon Candy limited edition EP here

Purchase Javelin's Canyon Candy Playbutton here

Mike Anderson and Javelin's previous collaborations here, here and here.

Bad asses: