Fresh off their Grammy-win, the good old Canadian band Arcade Fire have teamed up with Academy Award-nominated director Spike Jonze to create a short film inspired by the album entitled: Scenes from the Suburbs. The first public glimpse at the film was released in a trailer on Monday.

A story of battles. The battle of adolescence, social circles and love – and war, thanks to Jonze. The film stars stars Sienna Blau, Sam Dillon, Zoe Graham, Zeke Jarmon, Paul Pluymen, and Ashlin Williamson living in an ordinary suburb with a lingering militaristic presence, reminiscent of 1984.

The film is set to play this Wednesday at the South by Southwest (SXSW) interactive music and film festival in Austin, Texas. It has already premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and, according to the trailer, is soon coming to DVD. Both Arcade Fire’s front man Win Butler and manager Scott Rodger were executive producers of the film, and Win’s brother and bandmate Will co-wrote the script with Mr. Jonze.

Arcade Fire and Jonze’s history goes back to his use of “Wake Up!” in the trailer for his critically acclaimed 2009 film “Where the Wild Things Are”. Since, Jonze directed the music video for the band’s title track to the Suburbs.

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Each spring eyes from all over the world converge on Austin to get a glimpse into the immediate future.

Twitter famously got it’s big push into fame here at South By, and nowadays every startup with an unpronounceable name is competing for attention amongst the 15,000 geeks who invade the city for the first few days of what’s now merely referred to as “Interactive”.

Everyone wants to launch the next big thing.    This has caused a massive influx of what is now known as “marketing doucebaggery”.   Companies throw lavish invite-only parties with open bars and big name performers.   There are free rides and free lunches.   Companies hire models to roam the streets handing out knick knacks and doodads.

Some companies even bring in hired endorsers.   Enter Mike Tyson.    For two hours on Sunday afternoon, the former heavyweight champ preened for photos and signed autographs surrounded by tight-shirted models and well-armed security. The company that sponsored his attendance had their name plastered over every possible piece of surface within three blocks but I still cannot recall what it was.   None of this changed the fact that it was somewhat disturbing watching a convicted rapist being swooned over by eligible-looking willing-and-able females.

It all blends together in the end.   Sometimes the loudest way to get a message across is to whisper.

No one is whispering.

So far the highlight of the past few days has been a wonderful panel with Paul Reubens, the master comedian who’s more famously known as his Pee Wee Herman character.    He was extremely candid about his experiences, and provided some spectacular insight into his personality and the genesis of the Pee Wee figure.

“I went many years without being photographed out of character, well.. except that ONE time….”

Daniel Berkal leads the trendspotting team at The Palmerston Group, and will be mailing reports from Austin, Texas exclusively to andPOP throughout SXSW 2011.

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Shout! There’s a Beatles music game coming from MTV.

MTV and Beatles license-holder Apple Corps will join forces to create the first-ever Beatles-themed video game, set for release in the 2009 holiday season.

It’s not a Rock Band or Guitar Hero-typed game, according to Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos, but users can still expect to “twist and shout”. It’s a “creative exploration of their music and a celebration of their legacy.” It will also be a music-making game, – so users can wear their “blue suede shoes” and “shake, rattle and roll” with interactive performance. The game will take users “across the universe” of the band’s career, from first album to last, but it wasn’t stated whether or not the game will include every Beatles song ever written.

Apparently, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison all gave input and back the project. In a press release from MTV, McCartney said, “The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of the Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out.” Yoko Ono commented that she hoped the game would appeal to “young blood”, saying “I love it and hope it will keep inspiring and encouraging the young generation or many decades.”

Not many details were revealed, but the game is already in development and will be compatible with Rock Band instruments. No word of whether or not the game will come with a Yellow Submarine, either.

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