Interpol - Lights

Sep 6, 2010



The video for Interpols new single "Lights" is directed by Charlie White. We left it up to him to do the explaining

About the video: "The video aims to complement the somber and meditative build of "Lights" with an equally progressive scenario: the imagined ritual of pheromone production within the body of a three-horned rhinoceros beetle. The video portrays the ballet-like ritual in which a donor, called a "Pheromone Doe" for her ability to excrete the intoxicating fluid, is led through the steps of disrobing, washing, and dressing in preparation for arousal. Once fully prepared, the doe is taken by her courtesans (members of a guild of pheromone-production workers who are addicted to the fluid and live to aid its production) to an arousal plinth where she will build her excitement until she excretes the white pheromone fluid from her eyes, mouth, and fingers. The pheromone is then collected within the chamber for future use by the beetle."

 

 About the beetle: "The three-horned rhinoceros beetle (Chalcosoma caucasus) is one of the most dramatic as well as demonic-looking insects. The male beetle has a heavy black shelled form with a helmet-like cranium bearing three enormous horns. The beetle was the creative starting point for the video, and a complement to the dominance of black within Interpol's aesthetic language. The beetle became the muse, and from it the video's sets, wardrobe, and palette emerged. Details that specifically reference the majestic bug include the courtesan' long, black pinky fingers with their shell-like nails; the shape of the Doe's hair; and the dense use of black-on-black-on-black throughout the video."

 

The new self titled fourth album is out 7 September 2010.

Posted in Videos Music By the a-team

Best in Class

Aug 25, 2010

 

 

Late of the Pier's new single "Best in Class" came out in March and although the song is a nice effort, we felt the video was a tad boring with a dance class of hot chicks shaking around in sexy garb.

 

Jump forward to a few months and the remixes have been done. One that stands out is from the godfathers of the remix, Soulwax. However not content with remixing the song, the original video gets remixed too! Is this a sign of things to come?

 

Whilst the first video is all Gossip Girl, the remixed version is very much True Blood!

 

Posted in Videos Music Design By the a-team

 

The Mystery Jets have a new album out called "Serotonin". For those of you that dont know, Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter whose function as a central nervous system mood regulator, among others, has the capacity to make us glow from the inside out with love for the world and our fellow man.

 

In a nutshell, this album is nothing but goodness and will be available next week at our goodness store.

Posted in Videos By the a-team

Aliens and Football

Jul 14, 2010

 

 Amazing tribute to the most amazing World Cup ever. Using District 9 as the plot, this video has all the tears and joy of an epic experience that we are proud to have been part off.

Posted in Videos By the a-team

Simon Tong, ex-Verve and sometime Blur contributor, has a new project out called Erland and the Carnival. Great name, great song and great video.

 

Erland and the Carnival have managed to conjure up an album of freaky, folky psychedilia, sounding somewhat like a cross between the Coral and the Decemberists. Highly recommended.

 

Posted in Videos Music By a-team

Becks Record Club

Jun 1, 2010

Becks Record Club has been described as an informal meeting of various musicians to record an album in a day. An album is chosen and then the artists involved jam out their interpretations of various songs. There are no rehearsals. No prior planning. Just very talented musicians getting together to play music.

 

Artists involved include, Devendra Banhart, Binki Shaprio from Little Joy, actor Giovanni Ribisi and obviously, Mr Beck Hansen, himself.

 

Above is the collectives' rendition of INXS', 'Never Tear Us Apart'. With Annie Clark from St. Vincent on vocals, members of Liars, Os Mutantes and if you watch carefully, Beck makes an appearance too.

 

Posted in Videos Music By a-team

Have a look at the teaser video for Kyle Lewis' upcoming documentary on Stiaan Louw. Cant wait to see the finished product!

 

From what we pick up from the short vid it looks like we will get full access to behind the scenes stuff as well as a more personal insight into one of SA's top designers.

 

Documentary is out June 2010.

Posted in Videos Fashion By a-team

Hurts

May 20, 2010

Make no mistake about it, Hurts are a pop band. They are as pop as pop was meant to be. Meticulous styling, tick. Good looks, tick. 80's inspired synth pop, tick.

 

The duo of Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson have a plan and their music is most welcome in a world where pop music has lots it pop.Hailed as one of the brightest acts for 2010. Hurts will release their debut single 'Better than Love' on 25 May.

 

Personally I like Wonderful Life as it reminds me of bands I followed in the 80's. Tears for Fears, OMD and Depeche Mode.

 

Hurts - Better than Love

Posted in Videos Music By a-team

 

The National are a cause for concern. Why is a band this talented not lauded enough? I am hoping their new album 'High Violet' will be the catalyst to spring them into the eye of the masses. With obvious influences from bands like Tindersticks and Joy Divison, the songs move in and out through scenes of melancholy, hope, defeat and love but ultimately the final ending is sweet.

 

The new video for the single 'Bloodbuzz Ohio' is shot in black and white which goes hand in hand with the song's sombre sound. Perfect for an Autumn afternoon listen.

 

Posted in Videos Music By a-team

O.Children - Ruins

May 14, 2010

 

New kids on the block, O.Children are causing some big waves in blogland. With an average age of 19, these lads are winning people over with their last two singles, which have been nothing short of spectacular. Although the sound is clearly influenced by Joy Division, Sisters of Mercy and Nick Cave, its refreshing enough to make you want more.

 

New single 'Ruins' is a fantastic synth driven goth belter. The video is as dark as the song. Front man Tobi O'Kandi has a great presence and a voice that rivals Nick Cave for ominous baritone effect. Anyone who grew up listening to 'goth' bands of the early 80's and 90's will clearly relate to the sound and for those of you frightened by the word goth you can file them under the same slot as Interpol and Editors.

 

Have a listen to their first single 'Dead Disco Dancer' which is great too. We will keep an eye out on the children and hope they come out with an album soon.

 

Posted in Videos Music By a-team