BLARF: Eric André's Musical Journey from Comedy to Orchestral Innovation
Eric André, known for his outrageous antics on Adult Swim's The Eric André Show, has surprised his audience with a new project under the name BLARF. He has released an album titled Film Scores for Films That Don't Exist in collaboration with composer Prateek Rajagopal. The album features eight pieces for a full orchestra, ranging from silly to beautiful compositions inspired by film score archetypes.
Before delving into comedy, Eric André was a serious upright bass player who attended Berklee College of Music. Making Film Scores was a wish fulfillment for him, and he expressed gratitude towards Prateek for their collaboration. André is passionate about creating music for his own creative satisfaction, not for commercial success.
The BLARF project involves creating new music in the background between gigs, with each album being a unique endeavor. André aims to explore different genres like hip-hop, Detroit house, ghetto tech, and jazz in future projects. His collaboration with Prateek began when Ludwig Göransson recommended him as a musical wizard to help André with his compositions.
The collaboration with Prateek involved André sharing voice notes and ideas for compositions, which Prateek would then develop into demos. They worked together to orchestrate the pieces and find the right direction for each song. Prateek's expertise and enthusiasm were instrumental in completing the project and organizing an orchestra in Budapest, Hungary.
While recording the orchestra in Hungary, André had the opportunity to conduct part of the performance. Conducting was a fulfilling experience for him, reminiscent of his childhood admiration for conductors in animated films like Fantasia. The orchestra players were intrigued and sometimes confused by André's presence but appreciated his passion for the music.
The pieces in the album are inspired by different movie genres, with each composition evoking a specific cinematic atmosphere. André aimed to find comedic value in instrumental music and experimented with unexpected twists in the compositions. Some pieces, like "Piano Concerto No. 0," feature surprising endings that reflect André's creative process and emotional connection to music.
In a bold move, André literally destroyed a piano during the creation of the album, inspired by his frustrations with practicing piano as a child. The act of destroying the piano was a cathartic experience for him, reminiscent of his dark fantasies about destroying instruments. Despite the unconventional approach, André's dedication to his art shines through in his music.
As BLARF evolves, André plans to explore more concert opportunities and potentially release a concert special featuring the orchestral performance. He envisions the special as a unique addition to his creative portfolio, showcasing his musical talents in a different medium. André's commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic avenues continues to drive his passion for music and comedy.