Dan Lord's Blog

Goblins

Hello again all you good people–I’ve been working closely with Adam Guthrie and all the excellent musicians of Salvo, as we prepare to record the new album. Virus be damned, that album will get done, albeit slightly behind schedule.

In the meantime, I thought you might dig listening to an audio sketch of a little something by Dan Lord and His Goblin Orchestra. You may have noticed my Goblin doodles in and amongst all the Salvo graphics these past months…on the album, on flyers, on the website, etc., right? Well, I was in the process of trying to develop them (the Goblins) into an animated show. I was talking to people, laying schemes, rubbing shoulders with media potentates, and all that–then the virus happened. Blah. Do you think it kept me from composing a theme song? Not one bit. Have a listen, and thanks for doing so!

-Cheers, Dan.

The Visit

I’ve watched M. Night Shyamalan’s 2015 The Visit three times, and I’m always left wiping tears from my eyes. It’s a masterpiece. It’s a problem for many viewers, I know—if you’re a slicing-up-eyeballs fan, it’s not enough (and nothing will ever be enough for you, you bunch of masochistic weirdos), and if you want more straight-ahead redemption-through-terror stories like Sixth Sense or Signs, it’s disappointing and uncomfortable. What you need to do is adjust; Shyamalan knows full well that truth, beauty, and goodness lie at the center of existence. He also knows that there is great evil between it and us. Like that quote from St. Cyril at the beginning of Flannery O’Connor’s A Good Man Is Hard To Find: salvation is yours, but you must pass by the dragon first. Emphasis added. You must pass by the dragon first, people.

See, The Visit isn’t simply about a couple of kooky old people, whose actions lead to violence and chaos. It’s all about what can happen when anger controls your life, and there is no forgiveness–the result isn’t merely strained relations and isolation. Shyamalan gets that. The festering refusal to forgive necessarily feeds wrath and, by steady footfalls, leads to murder and anarchy, given enough time. That’s exactly what happened in Africa in the 1990s, between the Hutus and the Tutsis. Not just harsh words and separation, but genocide. That’s where unchecked wrath goes, and we can’t have illusions about it.

Shyamalan is a man of goodness, truth, and beauty, above all—that’s what makes him the modern master of horror, and the only real heir to Alfred Hitchcock. He knows we are all actors on a stage built to lead to heaven, if we choose it, however terrible may our journey be.

Oops. Sorry–no new posts…

Goblins wreaking mayhem at the That Strangest of Wars today–sorry about clogging your inbox with uselessness! Carry on!

I Could Really Use Your Help!

Hello TSOW fans! As you may know, I’ve been plugging away at a television screenplay for the first volume of my Von Koppersmith Saga, By the Downward Way. I’m also developing a trailer for it–when you see it, I think you’ll be really thrilled and inspired. The animation is being done by the exceedingly talented Mr. Joseph Ryan, and the stuff he’s doing for By the Downward Way is top-notch.

This project, naturally, needs money to make happen. As a rule, I don’t pass the proverbial tin cup unless it’s vitally important. Well, it’s vitally important. There’s a big chance this can become a bonafide, live-streaming show! Wouldn’t it be AMAZING to see a great story like By the Downward Way come to life on a screen? Check out my new Buy Me A Coffee Page–as you’ll see, just three dollars makes a helpful gift. If everybody were to pitch in just a bit, this thing could happen. Then, you won’t have to turn on your favorite streaming channel and say, “Gee, I wish somebody would come out with a good show to watch.” Because there one would be: By the Downward Way, and YOU would be part of the reason it was there!

Thank you, everybody–even if you don’t have anything to pitch in at this time. It’s good just knowing you’re out there. And don’t forget to sign up for the Dan Lord Mailing List on the sidebar (if you haven’t already)–I should have some special stuff to send to subscribers soon (woah! A lot of alliteration in that sentence). Cheers!   -Dan Lord

From A Dark Wayover Now On Kindle!

E-readers, gather! From A Dark Wayover is now on Kindle!

And, for everybody: yes, in this one, Fredlegs the Acorn Man returns. In fact, my oldest son, Daniel, created a Fredlegs all on his own. Have a look!

You Win, Winner!

Note: This is not Jaime.

You know me, people. I wish everybody could be a winner. But we have to face reality. Not everybody can be a winner. In the case of the big From A Dark Wayover Giveaway launched last week, there is only one winner. And the rest of you (as much as it hurts my heart to say it) are not winners. The Giveaway is closed; the party’s over. And the winner is:

JAIME!!!!

Yes, you, Jaime! By a process of random selection by gnomes, you have been chosen as the winner! An email will be sent to you directly. Congratulations!

And thank you to all you wonderful folk for your zeal and loving encouragement. I hope you read this book, one way or the other, and are made happier as a result. And for all humans reading this: From A Dark Wayover is now officially available to purchase in paperback form! The e-reader version will be ready this week–I will keep you posted!

And, hey, look, if you don’t buy this whole “not-everybody-can-be-a-winner” bromide and you are convinced that you are predestined by God to receive a free copy of this tome, then you might want to consider this new 2nd contest going on RIGHT NOW over at Goodreads:

Goodreads Book Giveaway


From A Dark Wayover
by Dan Lord

Giveaway ends November 16, 2016.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

From A Dark Wayover

Hello again, people!

November 1 is the official release day for From A Dark Wayover, the sequel to By the Downward Way! Wouldn’t it be spectacular to win a FREE signed paperback copy for you to wave in the faces of all your friends? Of course it would!

Here’s how to get a piece of that action:

Step 1) If you haven’t already, subscribe to the Dan Lord Mailing List.

Step 2) Leave a comment below! Write something like “I’m in!” or “Si, bueno!” or even the word “hat”, as in: “that which you throw into a ring for a chance to win something.”

This contest begins right now, and ends on Halloween, so don’t dilly dally!

Need to whet your appetite? That’s what this From A Dark Wayover Book Trailer is designed for, with original music by Dan Lord & His Goblin Orchestra. Enjoy! And good luck!

Lotsa News: New Book, New Music, & a New Charles Mattocks Production!

Hello again, TSOW Readers! The new news:

1. Yes, the sequel to By the Downward Way is still very much in the works!See a teaser here–and let me know what you think of the title. I’m not sold on it, frankly. But you’ll love the book!

2. Charles Mattocks’ new documentary,Trial By Fire(see cool new poster below), has been released in theaters to excellent reviews! Below is some of the music Charles asked me to write for it. Slow Fire is the latest addition–give a listen, and thanks for your love and support, everybody!

Trial By Fire Extended Theme
Slow Fire

Three Musical Sisters!

I’ve just about wrapped up the score for Charles Mattocks’ new project, Trial By Fire, and I feel compelled–COMPELLED, I tell you–to share some background about one particular track, Trial By Fire Appalachio. The strings you hear are played by three young ladies with big souls and lots of talent: Harriet, age 11, on violin 1; Ouisie, age 10, on cello; and Kit, age 7, on violin 2. I had the pleasure of working alongside them and their teeny, tiny instruments one beautiful morning recently, and the result is just lovely. My deepest thanks go out to dad and mom Ted and Katherine Engelke for making it all possible, and for making the whole experience so pleasant.

Scroll down to see photos and hear the music! Harriet, Ouisie, Kit: bravo! You’re awesome.

http://thatstrangestofwars.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Trial-By-Fire-Appalachio.m4v

Music News…

Hello TSOW followers and all you good people out there,

I am in the process of writing the score for a new upcoming documentary called Trial By Fire, directed by the multi-talented and very artistic Charles Mattocks. It is about people who suffer from a vicious disease called RSD/CRPS, an affliction of the nervous system which produces intense, constant pain in the victims. It’s pretty sad stuff, and Charles’ own mother has it (incidentally, she is the sister of the one and only Bob Marley). This deeply emotional documentary is going to be something really special when it is complete.

It’s an honor to be able to write music for this. I thought you might enjoy a sample of how things are going so far. Enjoy.