BKAB FAQ

I've been blown away by the response to "BKAB." I've read a lot of questions on internet message boards about it. I will try to address them here:

What the heck is BKAB?

"BKAB" is the name of a song I produced. It is the second song played in the credits of a movie called V for Vendetta.

Why do you call it "Speechless"?

The version heard in the film includes excerpts of speeches by Malcolm X ("On Black Power" ) and Gloria Steinem ("Address to the Women of America"). I have not cleared the rights to copy those speeches, but I own the rest of the song outright. I am currently in negotiations to clear the speeches.  As of right now, the only way to hear the song with the speeches is to see the movie.

Is it on the V for Vendetta soundtrack?

No, I'm afraid not. 

How can I get the song?

You can go to this page and follow the checkout procedure through Paypal. Anyone who buys the Speechless mix will receive the full version for free if/when I clear the rights

But I don't want to pay for it! Can I download it for free?

You can hear it streaming for free at my Myspace page. If you find it available to download for free, that's your choice. It is against the law, but everyone does it. I'm not gonna lecture you about it.

What does "BKAB" stand for?

It's an acronym for "bed, kitchen, attic, basement" from Malcolm X's speech. In the song, the words match the beat. It's my favorite part of the song. I wish I could share it with you here.

Are you on a record label?

No, but only because I don't know how to get their attention. Record labels--call me, baby!

Then how the heck did you get a song in a big Hollywood movie?

My primary job is as a composer of film scores. I did a couple of documentaries for HBO/Cinemax and PBS. I got friends who know people, these people heard an early version of "BKAB" and thought it might work well with V for Vendetta. I worked closely with the filmmakers (over the telephone actually) shaping the final version as heard in the film.

Who is the singer? What is she singing?

The singer's voice comes from a sample CD made by Zero-G called Deepest India. The singer sings pieces of 'Churake Dil Mera' from the film Main Khiladi Tu Anari and 'Pardesi Jana Nahin' from Raja Hindustani. The lines are all cut up and moved around, resulting in a mostly incoherent, but sometimes intriguing lyric:

What do I know?
Where am I going?
Foreigner, foreigner, don't go and leave me
Now I feel...
Now my heart is...
I've stolen your heart
leave me
Now I feel
Any turn...
What do I know?
oh I've stolen your heart
I am going
An excuse
leave me
Now I feel
Now my heart
I have stolen your heart
leave me
Now I feel
Any turn...
What do I know?
I have stolen your heart
I am going

Special thanks to Sadhana and Athar for the translation! 

Who/what is Dynamite Ham?

That's the "band" name I use sometimes. It's much more interesting than "Ethan Stoller." It comes from a line of dialogue in Woody Allen's Annie Hall. I've released one CD so far, it's called I Believe In You and features interpretations of songs written by Dr Frank of The Mr T Experience and Broadway/Hollywood composer Frank Loesser. Learn more here.

Anything else?

Just thanks to all my new friends and fans of the song. I'm really proud to be a part of  V for Vendetta and I've been floored by the response to my small contribution to it.