Show notes
Chris White Directed Short Promoting Acceptance and Community as a Cure For Loneliness Epidemic Set to Lost Lyrics Originally Penned by ‘Jesus Music’ Pioneer Larry Norman
An intriguing combo of beloved actor and comedian Fred Armisen, indie rocker Daniel Smith (Danielson), Jesus Music pioneer Larry Norman, and award-winning filmmaker Chris White join on a new song and short music-film COME AND SAVE ME releasing worldwide April 26, 2024. The song and film, originally written for White’s feature film ELECTRIC JESUS, celebrates themes of acceptance and community as a cure for the loneliness epidemic and sees Armisen playing the character of ‘Hugo’ desperately trying to connect with other humans in a world that seems designed to exclude him.
“The post-pandemic world suffers from a residual loneliness epidemic,” says director Chris White. “It was important to Daniel, Fred, and me to make a film that not only served the song, but also served its audience in a meaningful way. ‘Come And Save Me’ reminds us that the mental, emotional, spiritual relief so many of us seek can be found.”
The song came from White and Smith’s collaboration on the film ELECTRIC JESUS, released in 2021 by 1091 Pictures after a long and award-winning film festival run. The accompanying soundtrack, written and performed by Daniel Smith, was released by Joyful Noise Recordings.
The lyrics in “Come and Save Me” are from the ‘lost’ papers of legendary rocker and Jesus Music pioneer Larry Norman who died in 2008, and contained words for several never finished songs. The papers were discovered by Norman biographer Gregory Alan Thornbury (Why Should The Devil Have All the Good Music?), who interviewed Smith for his book.
“Late in his life, Larry Norman heard my band (Danielson) and reached out to me via email, which led to several meaningful exchanges,” Smith explains, “Later, when Greg was interviewing me for the book, he mentioned he had these unpublished Larry Norman lyrics and would I be interested in looking at them. He sent me several songs and I connected with “Come and Save Me.”
Of Armisen’s participation White notes, “Fred Armisen is a comedy legend. He’s also a longtime Danielson fan. As I imagined this Jacques Tati-inspired, alienated Everyman at the center of our story, Fred was the obvious choice.”
Shot on location in White’s home state of South Carolina, the film was produced by Studio Fifteen and Cargo. Influencer and rising actress Andie Marie Tillman plays the role of a food delivery person, for whom Hugo’s journey from isolated loner to cherished family member is framed. .
COME AND SAVE ME is available to stream on the ELECTRIC JESUS YouTube page
www.youtube.com/@ElectricJesus
beginning April 26, 2024.
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ELECTRIC JESUS, a coming-of-age rock-and-roll comedy following the ill-fated exploits of a religious hair metal band during the summer of 1986 starring Brian Baumgartner (The Office) and Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire) is streaming everywhere.
STREAM IT: https://amzn.to/4cxF5xX,
OWN IT: https://amzn.to/49hQOOb,
THE MUSIC: https://amzn.to/4cGXp7C
Fred Armisen is an American actor, comedian, and writer. After having begun his career as a musician for groups such as Trenchmouth and the Blue Man Group, he would get his big break as a comedy actor when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2002, having remained with the show until 2013. This led to Armisen collaborating with fellow SNL alum Bill Hader and Seth Meyers on the television series Documentary Now! for IFC and would also collaborate with Carrie Brownstein on Portlandia for the same network. He is also known for his roles in various films and shows such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, and Easy A, alongside voice roles in The Looney Tunes Show, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, The Lego Ninjago Movie, and Final Space, among others.