The Artist Explains: Danielle Deckard - 'Sleep' (Video)
Sydney based singer/songwriter Danielle Deckard speaks to us about the ideas behind her folk-influenced indie pop single and music video, 'Sleep' taken from her charming debut EP 'End of the World', released in 2015.
'Sleep' music video was directed by Jefferton James (Passenger, Boy and Bear, Emma Louise) and filmed in the middle of the night on the deserted neon-soaked streets of Sydney. It sees Danielle sleep-walking through each scene, creating an eerie and ethereal nightscape.
Danielle Deckard Explains:
Where was the video filmed?
The video was filmed in the middle of the night on the empty streets of Sydney.
How does the video compliment the song?
The recording for 'Sleep' has a triumphant yet ethereal sound to it which the video captures quite well. The shots are very cinematic. Each new scene that's introduced adds a new element to the video in the same way that each section of the song changes texturally.
Any behind the scenes stories?
Some of the coolest alleyways in Sydney are unfortunately the smelliest. And of course, we chose to film in Chinatown on the night before trash day. So imagine a week's worth of discarded fried shrimp in the air. To top all of that, I had to walk around barefoot for most of the shoot with my eyes closed. So I never quite knew when I was about to step into a big mystery puddle of what we started referring to as "bin juice." And then one of the few times I was able to walk around with my eyes open, a huge rat scurried in front of me. It really taught me to value the act of wearing shoes.
Tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
In the video I am quite literally seen sleep-walking throughout the streets of Sydney. Our director found some really great neon lit locations, which I didn't even know existed in Sydney.
What is the message the video is trying to convey?
Despite what the recording might convey, the song 'Sleep' is quite dark in sentiment. It's about anxiety, fear, and failure. Essentially it's about admitting defeat and wanting to escape from that reality. The video isn't exactly portraying this– but the images of a woman sleep walking around a city completely void of people really capture that idea. It's as if she's so in her own world that nothing else can really break through to her.
Interview feature by Karla Harris