QUESTION 7....AS NOTED IN THE LINCOLNSYNC VIDEOS
 
So here we are...you've finished yet another hit song, and the question is, after hundreds of them, from what well spring to you go to create new music?  The "Who do you belong to?" is fairly non-traditional songwriting, both in the song structure and lyrics.  Obviously you are attempting to marry the visual and music, but where do you go to find these powerful pieces?  Or can you talk about it in public?  Some secret deal with a dweller of the underworld?  wouldn't that be ironic...to quote what's her name. 
 
   

ANSWER TO QUESTION 6 I GUESS
 
 I find black and white film having a much more organic resin to it as one compares to modern filmfare.  In my olden days I could not understand why anyone would be interested in anything that wasn't filmed in living color...think Gilligan's Island...now that's living.  Anyway, as my visual taste buds changed, I have come to dig black/white.  There's a feel and a soul to almost all of these old movies that can never be duplicated.  For crying out loud, in todays world, most everyone's entire life, thought, or artistic leaning can be made/captured via film.  Back in the day, no matter what you were doing, to make a film was magic, having a camera to film life was like owning this living artistic wand.  Nosferatu is dark and creepy and disturbing.  Modern film makers decided a vampire needed sex appeal, so we have evolved to Twilight...not bad, so I decided to do some juxtaposing for old time sake. 
 
Sorry to ramble, but to know me is to understand.  Other films...oh I've got one in mind, but I can't share at this time, that wouldn't be fair to all our fans out there, because you know making music and videos is an expensive venture.
 
thanks for your time, this time, till next time, pray tell. 

So, what movies do you like?  What types of silent/b&w movies do you know of that would make compelling music videos?  

ANSWER:  Well, I suppose that all depends on the YouTube/Twilight devotees.  It's mind boggling how many videos are on that site.  If you mean, what's next for JoKrCode, I'm thinking more songs/soundtracks for silent/black & white movies.  There's just some organic vibe to that type of film that makes them seem unreal.  Magical companion pieces to songcraft.  
 
 
David...
 
QUESTION FIVE - So where does it go from here? 

I believe and always believe, vampires are much more subtle than werewolves.  If you ask me, the vandalism most likely can be traced back to a full moon and of course then you have to seriously consider placing the blame firmly on the back of some liqoured up pack of werewolves, it happens, some young turk werewolves go out and before the end of the night something bad generally occurs, though I will give them credit in Eclipse for banding and fighting for good....of course you can never totally rule out aliens getting involved and making it look like werewolves, but my gut says it was the wolf.  
 
Maybe they didn't like the way the poster was portraying their ilk on the poster, maybe they are jealous of the other monster types.  I'm not sure, of course I don't condone this thing, but you gotta know, everybody's got something to hide cept me and my monkey.  

well, first off, with new found celebrity, I just want to give a shout out to the Willie Nelson fourth of July party he will be throwing in Texas over the 4th of July weekend....he's one of a kind artist and we got to give love while we can.  Bella bella rella rella renna renna renaissance turns to renismee.
 
it's all about telling some kind of story whether you rap it, write about it, recite it or say good night to it.  we all like a good story, and in my opinion I was trying to tell a story, like in as few words as possible.  It's certainly not as good as the uber short story "God lay dying." Now that is quite short, but funny enough in the late 80's early 90's a musical act VAGABAND was so inspired they elaborated on the wordage and created a pretty good song, if I must sayso myself.  bottom line, it's a story within the story....but by the way, what does it mean to you?    

QUESTION 4:  Terrin...    Just wondering about this whole Twilight culture that you've now associated yourselves with.  For example, I've noticed a bus stop movie poster vandalized with the glass shattered and the movie poster for Twilight Eclipse (almost completely) ripped out.  Looks like some enthusiastic fan got really close to a cool prize, but then got spooked (or maybe even arrested) by the local authorities.  I've also heard that certain Twilight devotees have even been involved in violence against detractors who let it be known that they simply don't see what all the fuss is about. My question is, what do you make of incidents such as these?  Care to comment?

QUESTION 3:  Terrin...    I am intrigued by the lyrics that appear in your song "Who Do You Belong To?" that appears on your YouTube page.  Particularly the "bella bella rella rella renaissance turns to Rennesme..." bit.  What does it all mean?  Can you enlighten, or are you going to do a Bob Dylan and respond with something smart-alecky like "well, what does it mean to you?"  Pray tell.  

ANSWER 2:  Well, actually at this particular moment in time, it's 68 views.  I don't know if that means it'll push us off the mark of hitting one million hits during a full moon or what.  But, to answer your question, it makes me feel righteously gratified that people are viewing our video.  And, I am quite confident that we will eventually hit that one million mark, eventually.   Thanks for your query.
 
- David @ jokrcode
 
 
QUESTION 2 - DAVID: - How does it feel to get over 50 hits in 2 days?  You jokr's are smoking youtube.  50 hits / 2days thats 100 hits in 4 days, 200 hits in 8 days, 400 hits in 16 days, 800 hits in 32 days, 1600 hits in 64 days (2 months)..that means sometimes in 2015 - I'm guessing about October 14th, 2015...which coincidentally will be a full moon you will get your millionith hit for this most excellent song...how does that make You feel? 

ANSWER:  Well, mysterious interviewer, as usual there was some (divine?) inspiration involved.  My teenage daughter and her cousins and friends are absolutely gaga over the Twilight saga, books movies the whole shebang.  It's sort of difficult not to get caught up in all the drama, romance, hoopla.  Seeing the Twilight cast on the VMAs gave us an idea for a song to sum up the intensity of the movie trailer for Eclipse.  Dig the thundering percussion, dreamy guitar and all the interwoven voices, it does a fair job of capturing the feeling of the film and telling a story, wouldn't you say?Thanks for asking.  
 
- David @jokrcode
 
 
David...I notice another youtube video featuring original music poured generously over some Twilight Eclipse footage...what's up with that? 

The following review appears on our "Lincolnsync" page on the iTunes music store.  We are very grateful to Larry Dickman for his kind words.  
 
"Soulful, intense and funky, this was easily my favorite album of the year.  Not only is it cool to watch it in sync up with "Psycho," the music easily stands on its own without the visuals.  Songs like "tick tick tick tick TOCK!", "Empty Buildings," and "Death of Robert Burns" are just masterfully written.  It's tremendously entertaining, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it."  Five stars.  Larry Dickman, Feb 19, 2009

This review was posted on Amazon.com and CDBaby by one Denny Zartman from Georgia.  We are proud to have him as a fan.
 

Magnificently Entertaining, February 19, 2009
*****
By  Denny Zartman 
JoKr is certainly ambitious in attempting to explore epic concepts as well as the relationship between music and visuals, and this is a very worthy follow up to the incredibly excellent "Psychosync." Using a old public domain film biography of Abraham Lincoln, "Lincolnsync" is creatively edited and presented as if the dying President's life is flashing in front of his eyes. The soulful and sincere music is richly textured and multi-layered funk, with a touch of blues and country/western, with mesmerizing, hypnotic grooves. It's a sound so unique to JoKr it almost becomes a genre unto itself. I like to think of them as if Steve Earle joined Pink Floyd. Who couldn't like that combination? The selected film audio enriches the sonic landscape as well, making the CD stand very well on its own. But, the DVD is tremendously entertaining as well. It plays in a seamless loop, which is appropriate because the opening lyrics mention going "round and round." So, while some may think it's a bit short at just over a half hour, you could also look at it as being infinite in length. I doubt I'm the only one that will let it play a few times in a row at a late night gathering. Every track is strong and rewarding, I love their lyrics and songwriting, especially the unabashedly romantic "Anne R. Waltz" which builds in intensity very well (like so many of the best songs do).

Jokr’s Psycho Sync is a massive conceptual project – a double album that offers an alternative soundtrack to Hitchcock’s Psycho. Jokr runs the gamut with influences ranging from Pink Floyd and The Who to Rodgers & Hammerstein and traditional American folk. The juxtaposition of the leftfield pop of “Oasis Motors” nestled alongside the trippy psychedelia of “Mother, Blood” is as unexpected and surprising as the suspenseful turns from the source inspiration. (www.jokrcode.com)
– Patrick Conlan

Hello, Larry.  Not sure if you will see this, but thanks so much for the wonderful review of PSYCHOsync on iTunes.  We really appreciate it.  So glad you enjoyed the music.  -JoKr

To catch the best example of Abe moonkicking it, check "3-Piece Puzzle" on the Lincolnsync DVD. Razzamatazz. Abe rocks.
 
And now, how about a little free word association:
 
Abe Lincoln
Michael Jackson
moonwalking
Jackson Pollack
Vincent van Gogh
Action Jackson
Jackson Browne
James Browne
Brown Sugar
Sugar Baby
Sugar Sugar
Gee Whiz
Baby Jesus

Lincoln was known as a bit of a backwoods renaissanceman, no less on the dancefloor.  But I didn't realize (Anne R. waltz) he was moonwalking one hundred years before Neil Armstrong and 110 years - give or take before - mtv captured Michael Jackson kicking it moonstyle on the dancefloor!
 
Who could blame Lincoln though, what a lovely Anne (via Anne R) in your song of the same. Love how the light catches her eyes when they are talking.  The simple ritual of straightening your man's tie.... 
 
 

JoKr on MySpace!  Check out our new MySpace page at:  http://www.myspace.com/jokrcode
 
It's the new online crack!

You said it, bro.  Complex times indeed.  I saw an article in Time magazine the other day imagining how Lincoln might've handled our current economic crisis, multiple war fronts, etc.  You should check it out. They quoted some of his views on growing up in poverty and how he didn't think a man should be impeded from becoming rich, but that every man should have the same opportunity to make good.  I believe he would have been a man for our time, as he certainly was for his.  

200 years inspiration, 6 months perspiration.  Well over 20,000 books written about the man, the myth, and all else Lincoln.  What's left, how about taking a 1930's black and white movie and trying to superimpose a year 2009 take on it all musicwise.  Did he really inspire Harry Houdini's work, what about his trip to Richmond Virginia at war's end... or was Jefferson Davis more of an Houdini influence.  Speaking of magic, what of the love between Lincoln and Anne Rutledge?  The deal with Lincoln was he was a complex cat living in a complex time....and that's what we all share with him in 2009...a bunch of complex cats living in complex times.          

LINCOLN GOES POP ON THE MOVIE SCREEN

 
Chicago, Illinois, February 12, 2009  - Lincolnsync, a splendid mash-up of the life of “Abraham Lincoln,” the 1930 film (public domain) by D.W. Griffith, and a just-finished experimental pop soundtrack by JoKr, brings the presidential icon into the 21^st century.
 
Jokr (jokrcode.com) has culled visuals from the historic black and white film and mixed them over both traditional and modern original digital audio recordings that pay tribute to the beloved 16th president with a twist of 70’s funk and primitive blues.  Surreal and sometimes psychedelic the stream-of-unconscious 30-minute movie features 7 songs while telling the story of a fallen president as he lay dying the night of April 14, 1865.  The effect of film characters moving and speaking within the soundtrack is moving and captivating.
 
In celebration of what would have been Abraham Lincoln’s 200^th birthday, JoKr will release their first video single from the “valbum” – The Abolitionist March (Abraham Africanus) – on YouTube as well as on their own website (jokrcode.com). The release will quickly be followed with the release of “Anne R. Waltz” an ode to Lincoln’s tragic first (and only?) true love on February 14 to commemorate Valentine’s day. The third and final public release of video will be “Dark Séance Polka,” the story of young Civil War soldier, John Thornton, who was sentenced to hang for desertion, but then pardoned by Lincoln.  Visit the jokrcode YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/jokrcode
 
A series of live theatrical presentations are planned and will be announced via the jokrcode.com website as they are scheduled. 
 
The Lincolnsync DVD/CD dual package is available from CDBaby.com, Amazon.com and from www.jokrcode.com.  Soundtrack songs also available on iTunes.  

heh, glad you asked that.  "valbum" is a term that jokr has created to refer to their unique "video albums" projects which are mash-ups of movies and their music.  those clever fellows.

Jackson Pollack would likely have appreciated JoKr. Painting on an audio canvas, JoKr likes to weave. Using multiple strands of storyline, subject matter, musical stylings and desire to let randomness/chance enter the creative recording process, the songwriting duo of David Joost and Terrin Krantz have fashioned their latest musical statement.

"PSYCHOsync," a double CD offering serves as an off-kilter, yet strikingly synchronized alternate soundtrack to Alfred Hitchcock´s suspense masterpiece, "Psycho." JoKr´s work provides audio response to the stark, sometimes disturbing black and white imagery conjured for the movie viewing public in 1960, with a multitude of trippy "aha!" moments similar to those forged by the legendary "Dark Side of the Moon/Wizard of Oz" mash-up. Adding further color to the musical palette, JoKr places yet another story line into the mix, inserting excerpts from William Shakespeare´s "Romeo & Juliet," with all the roles being performed by the Macintosh computer´s speech function.

The musical brushstrokes of "PSYCHOsync" draw from a staggering roster of influences. First and foremost are other sweeping concept albums: Pink Floyd´s "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall," The Beatles "Sergeant Pepper´s Lonely Hearts Club Band," The Who´s "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia." The listener will also notice similarities to classic double LPs of rich variety, such as The Beatle´s "White Album," Todd Rundgren´s "Something/Anything," Elton John´s "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and Fleetwood Mac´s "Tusk." This work also pays homage to and bears the influence of a host of other musical giants. Tom Waits. Bruce Springsteen (Nebraska and solo acoustic tours). Robin "Man of 1000 voices" Zander (Cheap Trick). Bono singing other people´s lyrics over U2 music. Cinematic scores. Jeff Beck. Carlos Santana. Lindsey Buckingham. Elton John/Bernie Taupin. Roy Bittan. Laurie Anderson. Madonna. Lynyrd Skynyrd. Warren Zevon. The tambourine playing of Ray Charles´ Raelettes.
Led Zeppelin. Jesus Christ. Superstar. Bob Dylan. The Who "Sell Out." Broadway composers like Stephen Schwartz, Alan Menken, Rodgers & Hammerstein, whose clever internal rhymes move the plot. As well as traditional American folk, gospel and country & western.

Like the film "Psycho" which inspires it, close attention to JoKr´s "PSYCHOsync" rewards the listener with surprises around every corner and new discoveries with every play. "PSYCHOsync" is now available from CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, Apple´s iTunes store, and many other online music services.

What Would Norman Think? Indeed.


CREDITS:

JoKr "PSYCHOsync"
Concept, words and Music 2008 D. Joost/T. Krantz

Written/recorded between June 2003 and February 2008 at Budget Host Motor Inn (Gilman, IL) and the Playroom (Oak Forest, IL) on Boss BR-1180 Hard Disk Digital Recording Studio and Macintosh iMac G4 computer (using SoundStudio 3 software developed by Felt Tip Software, published by Freeverse Software, www.freeverse.com <http://www.freeverse.com>).

Sequencing, additional sound effects editing and mastering by Mark Rubel, Pogo Studio, Champaign, IL using MOTU Digital Performer.
www.pogostudio.net <http://www.pogostudio.net>

Guest musician: Doug Zartman (conga on "Liar´s Box").
Vocals on "Wrong Number" and interludes from William Shakespeare´s "Romeo & Juliet" performed by Macintosh.

Produced by JoKr.

Thanks to the wonderful magic of PHP.