The Band Explains: Trapdoor Social - 'Never Stop Listening' (Video)

 LA indie rock band Trapdoor Social speak to us about the moving visuals for 'Never Stop Listening.' Filmed at the centre of the  Dakota Access Pipeline protests, the video captures the struggle of the water protectors in the Oceti Sakowin camp. Combining emotive atmospherics, and impassioned vocals, 'Never Stop Listening' is an urgent and heartfelt song in solidarity with those who stand with Standing Rock. 

Trapdoor Social Explains:
Where was the video for 'Never Stop Listening'  filmed?
The video was shot at Oceti Sakowin camp at the centre of the pipeline protests in Standing Rock, a Native American reservation in North (and South) Dakota.

How does the video compliment the song?
 The song is about fighting for what you believe in, even when it hurts... and the cause was so compelling, eight of us dropped our lives for almost 10 days to drive half way across the country and volunteer our time and energy. It was a happy coincidence that we still didn't have a video made for the song when we decided to organise the trip.

Any behind the scenes stories?
We brought our solar trailer (see main pic) up to the camp to carry our gear and donations we had gathered, but also to lend our clean electricity to support the camp. We were able to charge people's phones and devices, power our camp and the kitchen adjacent to us. That was a positive... but we weren't quite prepared for the weather. When the winds picked up halfway through our week there, our tents were basically blown apart and snow started getting in everything. Luckily our neighbours were able to take us in so we could stay and work a few more days.

Tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
Most of our imagery in the video is human - video portraits of protesters, showing the kinds of people gathered there, what they wore to survive the elements, the determination in their eyes. You'll also see many flags of the tribes and groups that rallied together there, art expressing the views of the protesters, and shots of the camp they created and the river that flows by it, which of course is itself an important symbol.

What is the message the video is trying to convey?
Our goal is to "Bring It Home" - to share our positive experience at camp and make sure folks back home know these people's fight continues. It's something they asked of us at orientation on our first morning at camp. If this is meaningful to you, please get involved! There are frequent protests and demonstrations in every major city of the USA, and the Army Corps of Engineers is taking public comment until the 20th - you can voice your opinion here.

Interview Feature by Karla Harris