During the last 12 years, Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of music’s most mercurial talents, fearlessly challenging convention and famed for soaring melodies and haunting lyrics. While preparing his most ambitious project, a full-fledged opera entitled PRIMA DONNA, Wainwright and his famous family — father Loudon Wainwright III, mother Kate McGarrigle and sister Martha Wainwright — recall his eccentric childhood, inspirations, demons, and obsession with opera, which Rufus calls “my religion and saving grace.” Directed by George Scott.

PRIMA DONNA premieres on December 21 at 9PM.

Watch exclusive clips not in the film on Sundance Channel’s Digital Shorts.

View the schedule for PRIMA DONNA.

Rufus Wainwright. Hey, just the name is cool. I’ve always thought it helps to have a cool name if you want to be a rock star. I know, Rufus isn’t a “rock” star, but he is a “rock star”. Anyway, he’d have a leg up just on the strength of the name, but when you add talent, intelligence, looks and that voice – not to mention his pedigree – you have a lot more than a star. (And, after all, any karaoke singer can be a star these days.)

No, Rufus is the real deal, as people in the music business like to say (well, some people anyway). As such, he was always on the list for Spectacle.

He’s made a pretty dramatic impression since breaking out ten or so years ago. Great voice, big personality and, more than anything, an ambitious songwriter blazing his own trail. Referencing pop and opera, and coming from a serious music family (his mother is folk royal Kate McGarrigle, his father the respected and arresting songwriter Loudon Wainwright III)…well, it all (including a personal life that by his own admission has careened out of control at times) clearly shaped this remarkable young man.

Rufus wasn’t an easy guest to prepare for. Not that he was difficult in any way. On the contrary, he gave up a day of his vacation at the beach to come in to the city to do the show – and he was running a fever to boot. No, he couldn’t have been nicer. I just mean his music is so distinctly his that to try to get inside and explore it is difficult. I don’t presume to speak for Elvis, but I can say that he spent a lot of time with Rufus’s music and after not a little consideration, came to the conclusion that he could not cover one of his songs to open the show. So he didn’t. (Elvis being Elvis, he chose a slightly more obtuse but no less satisfying approach to the opening – and then decided to tackle one of Loudon’s songs as well.)

In terms of getting to what makes Rufus tick and more specifically what makes him the musician that he is, once again I think this is where the artist to artist dynamic helps enormously. These conversations and demonstrations/performances unfold each in their own way and in their own time, and inevitably with an artist as complex and eclectic as Rufus, you can just sense that Elvis’s own keen curiosity and his own multifarious career come into play in not only putting the guest at ease, but in opening up some avenues that otherwise almost certainly wouldn’t see the light of day with cameras rolling.

Also, in Rufus’s case there were a few things that he wanted to do and a few others that just kind of happened on the day. His mother showing up with him was a surprise – a pleasant one, but still a surprise. Totally unplanned, so it required a bit of adjusting on the fly, but it resulted in a performance that unquestionably sheds light on where Rufus comes from musically, as well as on the fascinating McGarrigle-Wainwright family dynamic. (Some of us were half-expecting/hoping for Rufus’s very talented sister Martha to show up at the last minute, but alas that didn’t transpire…maybe some other time. She’s also pretty great.)

It all made for what I hope you will agree is a rather interesting show. Rufus is never less than totally honest – in conversation and especially in his performances, flushed with fever and maybe even a little delirium at times, he just puts it all out there.

And that’s really what Spectacle is all about.

Enjoy.

Stephen Warden
Executive Producer/Creator
Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…

This week’s guest on SPECTACLE, Rufus Wainwright, is one of the most acclaimed songwriters of his generation. He is equally celebrated, however, for his power as a live performer; as he notes in the episode, he’s been on stage from a very young age, singing with his mother and aunt, the renowned folksingers the McGarrigle Sisters. Wainwright has performed in a wide range of settings, as a pure solo act and backed by an orchestra, culminating in his 2006 recreation of Judy Garland’s 1961 Carnegie Hall concert, which was released as the Grammy-nominated album Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall.

Elvis Costello has also performed and toured in a remarkable variety of configurations during a career that has now entered in fourth decade. Shockingly, though, he has never released a true, stand-alone live album—perhaps because his material and arrangements change so rapidly from year to year and from tour to tour. He has issued live recordings of collaborations with such artists as jazz pianist Marian McPartland, guitarist Bill Frisell, and the Metropole Orkest, but never a straight-up rock & roll concert. (To be fair, the expanded reissues of most of Elvis’s catalogue include live tracks captured over the years, and the widely-bootlegged 1978 promotional album, Live at the El Mocambo, was legally issued in 1993, but only as a bonus to an anthology set.)

For almost twenty years, the faithful Attractions provided accompaniment for Elvis on stage as well as on vinyl—though he first “disbanded” the group as far back as 1984. At Live Aid in 1985, he was told that because of time constraints, he should “ditch the band,” and he sang “All You Need is Love” alone with an acoustic guitar. When he brought back the Attractions for part of the 1986 King of America album, the resulting tour reflected his uncertain allegiances—and produced some of his finest shows. Each city was a three-night stand: one show with the Attractions; one with the rootsier outfit known as the Confederates, featuring former Elvis Presley guitarist James Burton; and one night as a solo act.

The follow-up album, Blood and Chocolate, spawned a tour in which Elvis hosted the evening as the unctuous MC Napoleon Dynamite, giving a vaudeville-style feel to a show that included a roulette wheel, spun to select the evening’s set list. After a series of more experimental releases, Elvis hit the road in 1996 for a run of club dates, backed only by Steve Nieve’s piano. A tour with the Attractions followed, which would be their last as a unit. In 2002, when he went out after the release of the When I Was Cruel album, his support came from the Imposters (with Davey Faragher replacing Bruce Thomas on bass), which has been his touring band ever since—except when he plays solo, as he did when opening for Bob Dylan in 2007.

Of course, some of Elvis’s greatest on-stage moments were broadcast on television, including his legendary switch from “Less Than Zero” to “Radio Radio” on Saturday Night Live in 1977. And if you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the man perform, there’s this new show on the Sundance Channel you might want to check out…

– Alan Light

Alan Light is the former Editor-in-Chief of Spin and Vibe magazines, and a former Senior Writer for Rolling Stone. A frequent contributor to the New York Times, he is the author of “The Skills to Pay the Bills: The Story of the Beastie Boys” and a two-time winner of the ASCAP-Deems Taylor award for excellence in music writing.

Answered by David Kline Guitarist for Birdmonster [www.birdmonstermusic.com].

Peter Arcuni, a native of Connecticut and former editorial assistant at Wired, formed Birdmonster in 2004 with three other local San Francisco musicians: childhood friends bassist Justin Tenuto, guitarist David Klein, and drummer Zach Winter. The band began by playing live shows, initially booking performances by offering to fill in opening act slots. They also courted Internet radio stations. The band released their self-titled EP in December 2004 and used proceeds from its sales to tour the United States.

The band received several offers for recording contracts and distribution, but turned them all down deciding to self-release their debut album, No Midnight.

In early 2008, the band began recording material for their new album, From the Mountain to the Sea, released on August 5. The album was released digitally by Fader Label via iTunes and Amazon and was released in stores on September 2. The album was produced and engineered by Tom Schick, who has also worked with Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, and Rufus Wainwright.

Check out their latest album From The Mountain To The Sea available now on The FADER Label. Also, check out the video for their hit single “Iditarod” [www.youtube.com]

1. What’s your favorite political movie?

ROCKY IV!

Sorry. DR. STRANGE GLOVE is absolutely brilliant. I am also a big 25TH HOUR fan.??

2. What role do you feel art plays in politics?

It’s always hard to talk about something as large and abstract as “Art” without sounding like a pretentious asshole. I’m just going to throw on my best cardigan, lean back in my imported leather sofa, and rub my chin in slow, aloof circles.

3. What do you think is the biggest issue for the next generation of Americans?

Over the last 8 years, the fundamental structure of our government has been systemically dismantled. The Executive Branch has granted itself enormous power. There is practically no oversight of the Bush Administration’s activities; even worse, it is virtually impossible to hold members of administration accountable for their crimes, some of which are literally treasonous. The next generation of Americans must find a way to bring transparency and accountability to our government.

4. Who was the first political candidate you were excited to vote for and why?

I voted for Ralph Nader in 2000. The press scapegoated Nader for costing Gore the election, and public opinion followed. In reality, the GOP did a magnificent job of stealing the election. They outsourced the vote-counting to private firms (who just happened to give them a lot of money), and they purged thousands of African Americans from the voter rolls by claiming that they were felons.

5. What factors are important to you in choosing a president?

Actually caring about the people who live and work in this country.

6. What issues would you like to see politicians focus more on?

Health care. I hurt my knee last year and even with insurance it cost me almost $2000 between x-rays, doctors visits, and physical therapy. I don’t know how a family with multiple children can cover the astronomical costs of decent coverage.

7. Which issues would you like to see politicians focus less on?

Ronald Regan’s legacy. I don’t think a Republican candidate can speak in public for more than 5 minutes without referrencing the Gipper.

8. Which candidate’s initiatives do you feel better address environmental concerns?

Without any doubt in my mind, Obama.

9. This is your soapbox – shout it out! What do you need to get off your chest?

Is it me, or is Sarah Palin a young Dolores Umbridge?

10. Do you have any recommended links, books or movies so people can learn more about the issues you care about?

Check out www.gregpalast.com [www.gregpalast.com] for more information about voter fraud and what you can do to help prevent it in the future.

Extra Credit: Fill in the blank. _________ for change.

CARPOOL TO WORK for a change.

Rufus Wainwright delivered a wonderful performance at Sundance Channel’s GREEN launch party in New York City. Rufus has a new album entitled “Release The Stars”, released by Geffen Records. The new album will be available everywhere on May 15th.

If you are just getting into Rufus’ music or you are a long standing fan, here is a list of Rufus Wainwright’s upcoming concerts.

4/22/2007
Seattle, WA / Triple Door
216 Union St
w/Teddy Thompson
Rufus will be playing with a full band.
SOLD OUT

4/23/2007
Seattle, WA / Triple Door
216 Union St
w/Teddy Thompson
Rufus will be playing with a full band.
SOLD OUT

4/25/2007
San Francisco, CA / Palace of Fine Arts
3301 Lyon St.
w/Teddy Thompson
Rufus will be playing with a full band.
SOLD OUT

4/27/2007
Indio, CA / Coachella
SOLD OUT

4/28/2007
Solana Beach, CA / Belly Up Tavern
143 S. Cedros Ave.
w/Teddy Thompson
Rufus will be playing with a full band.
SOLD OUT

5/1/2007
Los Angeles, CA / El Rey
w/Teddy Thompson
Rufus will be playing w/a full band.
SOLD OUT

5/16/2007
7:00PM
New York, NY / Barnes & Noble
33 E 17th St; Union Square
In-Store Performance & Signing
5/22/2007

Paris, FR France / La Trianon
Pre-sale begins today 4/4; public on sale begins Friday 4/6.
pour acheter des billets en francais, aller ici Or buy tickets here

5/24/2007
Portsmouth, GB UK / Portsmouth Guildhall
Tickets onsale Friday March 30th @ 9AM GMT at http://portsmouthguildhall.co.uk and http://www.seetickets.com
Rufus will be playing with a full band.

5/25/2007
Bristol, GB UK / Bristol Colston Hall
Tickets onsale Friday March 30th @ 9AM GMT at http://www.tickets.com/uk/ and http://www.seetickets.com
Rufus will be playing with a full band.

5/27/2007
London, GB UK / Old Vic Theatre
Rufus will be playing with a full band. This will be “An Evening with Rufus Wainwright.” There will be no opening act.

5/28/2007
London, GB UK / Old Vic Theatre
Rufus will be playing with a full band. This will be “An Evening with Rufus Wainwright”. There will be no opening act.

5/29/2007
London, GB UK / Old Vic Theatre
Rufus will be playing with a full band. This will be “An Evening with Rufus Wainwright.” There will be no opening act.

5/31/2007
London, GB UK / Old Vic Theatre
Tickets onsale Sat April 1st.
Rufus will be playing with a full band. This will be “An Evening with Rufus Wainwright.” There will be no opening act.

6/1/2007
London, GB UK / Old Vic Theatre
Rufus will be playing with a full band. This will be “An Evening with Rufus Wainwright.” There will be no opening act.

6/5/2007
New York, NY / Gramercy Theatre
127 East 23rd Street
w/Lucy Wainwright Roche
Rufus will be playing w/a full band.
General onsale begins Sat 4/14 @ 1PM EST here

6/6/2007
New York, NY / Gramercy Theatre
127 East 23rd Street
w/Joan as Police Woman
Rufus will be playing with a full band.
General onsale begins Sat 4/14 @ 1PM EST here

6/8/2007
New York, NY / Gramercy Theatre
127 East 23rd Street
w/Teddy Thompson
Rufus will be playing with a full band.
General onsale begins Sat 4/14 @ 1PM EST here

6/9/2007
New York, NY / Gramercy Theatre
127 East 23rd Street
w/Jason Hart
Rufus will be playing with a full band.
General onsale begins Sat 4/14 @ 1PM EST here

6/11/2007
Toronto, ON CAN / Danforth Music Hall
Rufus will be playing with a full band
support: Andrew Rodriguez

6/12/2007
Toronto, ON CAN / Danforth Music Hall
Rufus will be playing with a full band
support: Andrew Rodriguez

6/14/2007
Montreal, PQ CAN / Place des Arts
260, boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest
Rufus will be playing with a full band
support: Andrew Rodriguez
SOLD OUT

6/16/2007
Boston, MA / Bank of America Pavillion
True Colors Tour w/Debbie Harry, Cyndi Lauper, Erasure, hosted by Margaret Cho.

6/17/2007
Show Columbia, MD / Merriweather Post Pavillion
True Colors Tour w/Debbie Harry, Cyndi Lauper, Erasure, hosted by Margaret Cho.

6/22/2007
Glastonbury, GB UK / Glastonbury Festival
SOLD OUT

7/7/2007
Scotland, GB UK / T in the Park Festival
Balado by Kinross
Rufus will be playing with a full band
SOLD OUT

7/8/2007
Dublin/Kildare (Punchestown), IR Ireland / Oxegen Music Festival
Puncherstown Racecourse
Rufus will be playing with a full band
SOLD OUT

7/10/2007
Cornwall, GB UK / The Eden Project

8/4/2007
7:30PM
Saratoga, CA / Mountain Winery
Public onsale Sun 4/15 @ 10am here

8/25/2007
Highland Park, IL / Ravinia Festival

9/23/2007
Los Angeles, CA / Hollywood Bowl
Rufus will be performing the songs that Judy Garland performed at the Hollywood Bowl in 1961 with a full orchestra