The Band Explains: Mowbeck - 'Vaseline' (Video)
Nottingham pop-rock four-piece Mowbeck talk to us about the ideas behind their music video to accompany gripping alt ballad, 'Vaseline'.
'Vaseline' is taken from the band’s recently released debut EP, 'Talkabout'.
The debut EP was written and recorded in a dingy rehearsal studio deep in an industrial estate, where the band began to stray from their early pop roots to embrace a darker, grittier core.
Where was the video filmed?
'Vaseline' was filmed in a studio by a really creative upcoming director called George Maguire. He heard 'Vaseline' when it was first released on our EP and had some great visual ideas for it. We had a few back and forth calls and agreed on the theme and then he went away and shot the material. We were quite nervous because it’s the first time we’ve handed over the reigns to someone creatively with our videos. Thankfully the result was really cool.
How does the video compliment the song?
'Vaseline' is a song about obsession and wanting something you can’t have even though it’s not good for you. The concept behind the video was a guy who was torn between his head and his obsession tendencies with someone who was leading him on.
Any behind the scenes stories?
The video was actually shot twice because the original video didn’t fit together quite right. It’s always a really frustrating thing when you’re creating something that want to be perfect and it not being right. The videos we’ve shot have always ended up being done overnight and this one was no exception. Sleep is for the weak!
Tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
We wanted the video to be striking and shocking compared to anything we’d done before. Luckily, our director knew exactly what he was going for with the visuals and the effects and mirroring that comes into play later on in the video really compliments the tension that is built throughout the song musically. The opening scene of the actor with a bloody bag over his head we thought might be too far when we first saw it back, but we’re really happy with it.
What is the message the video is trying to convey?
It hits on themes of abuse and the idea of a controlling relationship. We never like going too deep into what our music is about but portraying the darker sides to love and real life is something that bands like us don’t really approach as much. Sometimes what you want most of the world is what has the potential to destroy you in the end.
Interview feature by Karla Harris