I’ve been a fan of Mike Kelley for years, starting with his now-iconic visuals for Sonic Youth‘s 1992 record, Dirty. I’ve managed to see multiple exhibitions of his work, although many have been posthumously, as he passed away in early 2012 in his mid-50s.
Until this past weekend, I wasn’t aware that he had done a What’s in My Bag? video for Amoeba Music. He always struck me as more of a quiet, introverted guy, and something like this seemed the farthest from what he would want to do, but I was wrong. He seemed to be pretty into it. I also realized, watching this video, that this was the first time I’d even heard him speak, as I’d never even thought to look up any videos/interviews with him.
I love these videos because they offer a glimpse into artistic inspirations. Sometimes they surprise you, other times, they’re exactly what you think they’ll be.
Kelley selected a variety of music and films, including Cynthia, the Devil’s Doll, The Corpse Vanishes, and several records such as Vampires, Cowboys, Spacemen, & Spooks by Joe Meek, and a compilation of Sunset Strip Garage Bands. He also mentioned artists like Terry Riley and Sun Ra, showing his interest in free jazz and psychedelic music.
The full list of his selections is below, but the video itself is worth a watch.
- Ray Laurent/Ray Dennis Steckler – Satanis the Devil’s Mass/Sinthia the Devil’s Doll (DVD)
- Joe Meek – Vampires, Cowboys, Spacemen & Spooks: The Very Best of Joe Meek’s Instrumentals (CD)
- The Quick – Untold Rock Stories (CD)
- Anita O’Day – Indestructible! (CD)
- Terry Riley – Shri Camel (CD)
- Marc Bolan – The Beginning of Doves (CD)
- La Düsseldorf – Viva (CD)
- Various Artists – Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968 (CD)
- Sun Ra – Nuclear War (CD)
