Wurlitza

Opening the festival in the Bowling Green tent on Thursday night, Wurlitza‘’s debut performance of their new live soundtrack to the film Diary of a Lost Girl (GW Pabst 1929) promises to be a treat. Fast moving and at times shocking, Diary of a Lost Girl traces the story of Thymian, played by the mesmerising screen idol Louise Brooks, as her life yoyos between episodes of lightness and innocence, darkness and despair.

Moments of great comedy involve life in a reform school for fallen girls headed by a villainous nun, and a modern dance lesson with an incompetent buffoon. This gripping film defies convention, confounding expectations as joy and compassion are found in the most unlikely places.

Cornish band Wurlitza’’s latest soundtrack has taken over two years to create, and includes music by Django Reinhardt, Fun Boy Three, Portishead, Wire, Chopin, Beethoven, Leonard Cohen, the Magic Numbers, Billie Holiday and the Doors.

Wurlitza’s sound is eclectic but always beautiful, sensitively co-ordinating the music with the action of the film. Every part of the performance is live, with no pre-recorded material at all.

With five musicians and a soundman, Wurlitza’s musical line up uses four part harmonies, piano and keyboards, classical and steel guitars, bass guitar, clarinet and mixed percussion.