The Band Explains: Maven Grace - Darkness
Maven Grace have released a haunting visual to accompany their latest track ‘Darkness’, a track that deals with a perspective of young mother filled with grief. We had a chat with the duo to discuss the video in more depth.
How does the video compliment the song?
Darkness is a song exploring ideas of grief, pain and confusion, and so the video needed to be disorientating. There are times in our lives when we lose the ability to distinguish between reality and illusion. The video portrays someone existing in that state of uncertainty, not knowing whether there’s a rational explanation for the flickering lights and shadows which surround her.
Any behind the scenes stories?
The video was filmed in an ancient castle which is reputed to be the most haunted in Scotland. During the shoot the crew kept noticing that the camera equipment was never in the same place it had been left, and they became convinced that someone or something was moving it. I wasn’t so sure, but it definitely added to the creepy atmosphere all the same.
Tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
The video depicts a young woman in a heightened state of distress. It was important to show external elements mirroring the storm raging inside her mind, and so unnatural shadows and electrical malfunctions surround her as she obsessively examines her own reflection. It’s almost as if she knows that nothing is as terrifying as what’s going on inside her own mind, and so she is constantly staring into the mirror hoping to discover some answers.
What is the message of the video trying to convey?
The intention was to capture a sense of foreboding and dread, and the feeling that something is terribly wrong without it ever being clear exactly what that is. In the most unsettling films, whether it’s Lost Highway or something more obviously supernatural like The Shining, what really frightens you is the nameless dread. As soon as you can say “Oh right, it’s a monster in the attic” you are immediately less disturbed. I suppose ultimately that nothing is as frightening as the unknown.
The video sees you partnering up with directer Drew Biennemann, why did you decide to do a video with Drew and how did that partnership come about?
Drew is one of the hottest new talents in Los Angeles, a fact that has already been picked up on by other artists like The Weeknd and the Chainsmokers. We’ve worked with him before on a very challenging shoot in Beijing, and so we knew he was right for this. If you can handle riot police in Tiananmen Square you can definitely take on a little Scottish poltergeist or two.
The track is taken from their forthcoming debut EP ‘INTRO’ due for release on November 16th, which also includes previous single’s ‘Innocent Dreams’ and ‘Something Strange’ and an additional track.