RABID RENAISSANCE

This post is about Kyle Machlachlan, and in turn, his guardian angel David Lynch. Lynch passed away at 78 this year on January 15 as he battled emphysema that left him home-ridden for the last years of his life. For a man that could curate comfort in isolation as a filmmaker, his life was celebrated for displaying discomfort in pursuit of isolation. Kyle, his protégé carried Lynch's ambitions born unto him. A creator who nurtured his creation. Let me have a few words of these Midwest princesses.

https://www.instagram.com/kyle_maclachlan?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

First of all, I must address the photos. In the wake of marketing for his investigative podcast Varnamtown, a story surrounding the North Carolina town in the eighties that seemingly worked in cahoots with Pablo Escobar, he took inspiration from an icon of ego, musical artist Lorde, to recreate one of her posts in solidarity of self-promotion.

The headphones, striped blouse, and outstretched toes went viral and caught the attention of younger audiences to recreate their own. If anyone should be the first follower of a new act of art, make it yourself!

Kyle followed through to keeping with the trends like no other. My personal claim to his tuned-in nature would be his teenage son Callum, but by taking the next step in tapping into Chappell Roan and Charli XCX's Brat summer had his posts buzzing all social platforms. For a peek into his personality, I appreciate GQ's "Essentials" video they have for him on YouTube.

In my KM exposure, I've only until now listened to Varnamtown and have seen 1984's Dune and 86's Blue Velvet. However, I haven't seen Twin Peaks or any of its subsequent properties. In other words, there's not much merit for this post other than my personal infatuation with the guy.

As his Dune turned 40 in 2024, so too came Dune: Part Two from Denis Villeneuve. Although Denis continues this story's legacy with hysterical amounts of grace, Kyle deserves his flowers for the cult endearment for the art that he was a part of from its genesis. David Lynch may be slowing down, but MacLachlan prolongs his aura through a nonstop grind.

Varnamtown was a summertime listen for me, described as "Westworld meets Scarface meets Willy Wonka." I can understand if that doesn't strike you as much as it does to me, but it's worth a listen. I love when media makes up media.

MacLachlan as "Pixar Dad" in Inside Out.

For now, he floats through the zeitgeist with series like Fallout on Prime and last summer's Inside Out 2, saving the summer box office.

(Machlachlan for The New York Times)

"David knew that anything he said would be putting his thumb on the scale. And he wanted people to experience his work on their own and take away what they wished."

This post was for Kyle Machlachlan, and the magic he continues to conjure.

Cheers,

Mo Lee☼