Is Noah "Everyday" Kalina really Philip Glass' long-lost son?

2008-02-27

Philip Glass & Noah Kalina - Related in more ways than one 

You've likely seen the unique Internet phenomenon, everyday, AKA "Noah takes a photo of himself every day for 6 years". If you've watched it — and I recommend doing so — then you've experienced an extraordinary work of art. And not just the visuals, because the music, composed by Carly Comando, fits the imagery perfectly: soundalike works have become part of subsequent parodies and homages.

I was one of the first people to comment on the YouTube posting of everyday, but I don't take pride in that; I was also one of the first to have noticed that Comando's soundtrack sounds very similar to the minimalist/repetitive work of acclaimed classical composer Philip Glass — there's even a "mashup" titled "Everyday Truman Sleeps". (Also compare this to "Philip Glass At Home", which has some suspicious conspiracy theories in the comments.)

Further Google-osity reveals I'm not alone in this opinion.

But perhaps I was looking at this the wrong way… instead of Comando being Philip Glass' daughter in a sense, what if Noah Kalina was the long-lost son of Philip Glass? This struck me in a Malcolm Gladwell-esque kind of Blinkian way, and I've put together the above side-by-side comparison to show you that Kalina the younger is a spitting image of Glass the elder.

I wonder if they've ever met in person?

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Razrcut Brooks 2008-02-27 at 9:19 PM PST

I love "Everyday" by Commando. For those interested in watching him play it on the piano :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSCy7rbbzIY&feature=related

The emotions it creates for the listener is amazing. It is intense -yet also calm and soothing. Thank you Torley for re-introducing this simply profound music to myself and others.

Dizzy Banjo 2008-02-28 at 3:56 AM PST

hehe .. god would be good if Phillip Glass was in my family in some way - access to his gene pool would have been a nice preconception treat !

Incidentally - nice music on Hamlet Au's book promo Torl !

ira kalina 2008-02-28 at 1:28 PM PST

Since I'm Noah's dad, it would be news to me that Phillip Glass had anything to do with my progeny. If you'd like to see what I look like you can go to http://www.coupleworks.com or http://www.psychnroll.tumblr.com.

Although I must say, sometimes when I get up in the morning and look in the mirror I look like Phillip Glass. LOL!!

Ravenelle 2008-02-28 at 3:54 PM PST

ooooo Noah's dad is here and now he has his eye on YOU !!

Hello Ira!

carly comando 2008-02-28 at 3:55 PM PST

carly comando is a lovely young woman, and not a man. noah's also way hotter than philip glass.

Gillian Waldman 2008-02-29 at 11:06 AM PST

I wonder if I am alone in having been actually disturbed by "everyday." I thought his eyes were so much less "alive" when it was over…and he just looked tired - as if nothing had worked out the way he thought it would.

I'm projecting perhaps - but that's what I took away from it.

I'll try to watch it again at some point when I can perhaps see something else in it.

Torley 2008-03-02 at 6:32 AM PST

@Gillian: First time I've heard that, but upon rewatching it, I can *see* what you mean. :O I hope that's not actually how Noah feels about his life. The point you make would compound even more with a different soundtrack.

Torley 2008-03-02 at 6:33 AM PST

@carly: Thankfully I didn't call you a "he"! And thanks for your comment… I'm thrilled to see you here!

Torley 2008-03-02 at 6:33 AM PST

@ira: Thanks graciously for your comment and for having such a good sense of humor re: you + your son! I'm checking your sites out, and it's a joy you came here. What does Noah think of my observation? ;)

Torley 2008-03-02 at 6:34 AM PST

@Dizzy: Thx! Ahh, how we like good music.

ira kalina 2008-03-03 at 2:47 PM PST

Torley,

I think Noah got a kick out of it, as did I?

Ira

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