My obsessions tend to get the better of me. I hardly watch TV, but Fringe stands out for a couple reasons: the zany Dr. Walter Bishop and the theme music. The former has irrepressible cravings for food, the latter is undeniably catchy. Even if Olivia Dunham is meant to be the "main character", the show doesn't work without Bishop's far-flung expertise and polarized reactions.
Fringe's theme is composed by the multitalented J.J. Abrams, and I listened to it so much that I was compelled to learn it on the piano and play it for you. Thanx to No1hotdogguy for helping me figure out, so I could take sheer liberties to blend it with X-Files. (Which Fringe has inevitably drawn comparisons to.) There's also some Rachmaninoff influence because I've been listening to Matt Bellamy's solos lately. The Fringe theme is quite simple and reminiscent of Philip Glass, but fits the opening titles gloriously as a lovely work!
Suitably, I made the video look lo-fi, as if it was a venture into madness performed in a 1960s university lab… not unlike Walter's. Thanx to NewBlue Film Pro for the gritty retro look, and I also used a touch of iZotope Vinyl to scrunge up the audio, tho not much — I wanted the clarity of the piano tones to shine through. I filmed this performance with a refurbished Canon SD1100 IS, a fine bargain. It pays to be resourceful, especially if you're conducting experiments.
![Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4341983054_53aed5ab46_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4341231363_c8b3458d23_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4341230493_2f782e6088_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4341963584_bda095aac6_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4341958070_318b895425_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
![Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4341206009_e30658c02b_s.jpg "Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.")
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG… I could listen to that all day… That was just so beautiful…
)
I agree, I'd love to have a music box with that music.
Way to go Torley!
I'm yet to see an episode of Fringe, but you made me curious now.
Love the show, Love sl…now you kina combined em both for me…hehe!! Awesome!!!ty!!!!
Fringe keeps getting better, Dizzy. The mythos is shaping up! So many layers. It's nice because they don't throw it at you in a cluttery way during the show, but for the keen-eyed Observer, the clues are there.
@khloe: WOOHOO! SYNERGY!!
Wow, that was exciting! Very entertaining performance as well ha ha. The crossover was brilliant.
Wow, that was amazing. PLEASE re-record that and release it as an MP3, I could listen to that all day. I especially loved the x-file cross over.
I had so much fun with this, and re: MP3, you have your wish! It's a somewhat different version but… also includes "The Equation". http://torley.com/the-fringe-equation-new-piano-performance-of-that-theme ENJOY!
Fringe kicks ass.
Not reading your description before watching the video, I started wondering why the video looked that way and seemed to be flickr'ing and then noticed the filmroll scratches and was wondering WTF???
But as I listened to your playing and you getting into the various styles, I suddenly realized what I was seeing and what you had done. BRILLIANT!! LOVED IT!! Hahahahaha
that sounds the same as the website on the new "angalina jolie stripper movie" blue something or other…
whoops. not Angelina… that chick from seventh heaven, jessica biel.
apparently the song is called "soul's release," by dripping whispers.
similar, but a little more integrated, than your "mozart version of this song…
the movie is called "powder blue".
@Kimo: Yes, just like Walter's old film reels. ;D Thanx to NewBlue FX for the video plugins which allowed me to artificially age this digital "film"!
@Phish: I'll check that out… I like it when songs sound similar and can be megamixed or mash-upped.
Meghan and I watch Fringe every Tuesday, and this was way cool. I grabbed the mp3. Love how you incorporated the equation as well.
@Jadey: Thanx! I can't wait for Fringe to come back on air with NEW EPS. Ravie and I watch it devotedly too.
hi my friend i always watch your videos in sl or any for this mater i like you very much, how that you are so clever on all thinks, good look and happy new year. hope to see you in sl.
Oh that's way cool, Happy New Year domenico!
god….i like your play,it sounds so wonderful.
Of course u play so well too.
acturally…some pieces it sound like X_file.
A kind of like,just a thought,but a really good one.
Thanks for your very good preformance.
=D You're very welcome, Toney.D.W!
Hi, could you pretty please tell me where I can get sheets for this song? I´d love to play it, but I can´t find it anywhere..
I´d be thankful forever!
Man, I love the show especially since I m a Genetist and Molecular Biologist. I came here by accident. However, you are a genius. Absolutely enchanting…
I feel a lot of similarities in our interests – from Fringe to Philip Glass to Mashups! Alas, I do not create them, I merely consume.
Love your talent!
Great job, wish I had your piano skills! You have done some beautiful re-arrangements of the theme and it definitely is a haunting one that sticks with you.
For some reason comments were closed, I don't know why but as you can see, they're reopened. Thank you, and I've also fixed the download link (the old one was at SoundCloud and they're limiting downloads now).
I love the show and the theme song! Well done, it's lovely
I love the Fringe theme song!!
Great stuff!! cheers to you ^^ Fringe Forever!!
Like Dizzy said above (first post), I could listen to this all day, especially the stuff in the video! Love the mix and crossover! Fantastic! Keep entertaining!!