The Director Explains: David Rosen - 'Back Into The Dark' (Video)
'Back Into The Dark' is the final track on David Rosen's third album, 'Head Like Fire' and is a spectacular blend of tenebrous arrangements and ethereal wails, equally eerie as it is resplendent.
On the track and video David explains: "'Back Into The Dark' follows in my tradition of creating big, huge album closers. I've always loved when an album has an epic finale, and I feel like by combining the menacing rhythm of this pitch-black track with big The Cure-style guitars, it would create something dark, beautiful and memorable."
"Stop-Motion animation is something I've always wanted to work on, so being able to collaborate with visual artist Bea Landers on a video like this was a dream come true. It's especially awesome because of the dark visuals she brought to the project, which fits perfectly with the kind of art I like to create."
Where was the stop-motion video for 'Back Into The Dark' filmed?
I shot it all at my loft in Downtown Los Angeles. I have a space that molds into whatever project I'm working on being photography or stop motion and the list goes on. It gets messy!
How does the stop-motion video compliment the song?
When I first heard the song I got this moody 80's vibe from it. It immediately inspired a feeling of struggle and had a dark tone to it. A few images came to mind. I think we're all driven at least subtly by topics and events current in our lives, so I'd say it took on some of that.
Any behind the scenes stories?
Cats. Cats can't be trusted in a delicate claymation work space! I know this and yet they always talk me into coming into the work space... and then something has teeth marks on it or gets batted out of the scene.
An interesting aspect I tried for this project was working in a larger scale which made it really fun. All of the close ups of faces were in reality life size busts I was sculpting and working with. So sometimes it felt a little cadaver-y.
Tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
Well the title of the song and the way it sounded lead me to explore the fight for survival. I wanted it to have elements of a journey through the mind when consciousness is lost or when someone is on life support. I also wanted elements of an alien existence that's a bit foreign to the viewer.
What do you hope people take away from watching the vid?
Um, don't drink and drive? Haha - Just kidding... but also don't! I'd say I want people to recognize how fragile life is. As cheesy as that is. Death can often be sudden and I like to keep myself reminded of that. so maybe I live a life that is filled with little regret when I'm faced with that fading moment.
Interview feature by Karla Harris