The maestro Angelo

 

Angelo Badalamenti's work means so much to so many people, but his music was the sound of my young man angst, deep in the night, when all the world was asleep.

Find me on the streets of Timaru in the early 1990s - just out of school and learning computer shit at the polytech and just walking the city aimlessly until three in the morning, because I'm fucking buzzing too much and full of deep uncertainties. Find me and there is more than half a chance that I'm listening to the two Twin Peaks soundtracks - one for the TV show and one for the movie - on the trusty walkman. A Real Indication and The Pink Room pumps me up to walk around and own the night for another hour, but Laura's Theme and the way it offers hope in the true depths of despair, that has me sobbing in the dark.

I get stopped by the police a couple of times during these walks, which is probably fair enough because I do look proper dodgy, and one time one of them is real friendly like and wants to know what's on the headphones to and I let him listen to The Black Dog Runs At Night and he gives me such a look.

Badalamenti's music contains multitudes. Deeply highbrow musical theory nailed onto a thick and greasy groove. Deep arthouse pretensions in the whorehouse. Achingly beautiful melodies that can break your fucking heart with the lightest touch of a piano key. 

I know I've only scratched the surface of his work, but there is still enough depth there for a lifetime. Thank you, maestro.