The Artist Explains: Cassandra Violet - 'Dead'
Photo credit: Anna Azarov
LA artist Cassandra Violet talks to us about the concept behind her gripping music video for noir infused indie folk single, ‘Dead’ which channels sexy 70s horror film influences.
Where was the video for ‘Dead’ filmed?
Baja California, Mexico.
How does the video connect with the song?
The song is about marrying and killing a cheating lover, whereas the video is about marrying and killing my own ego. I have talked a lot about myself and my alter ego and in this video they finally come together in a literal wedding.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share with us?
1. The devil house on the beach is very real.
2. There were many people taking pictures in front of it and when they saw us filming they wanted my autograph!
Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
Laura Burhenn (of the Mynabirds) directed, and wanted it to feel moody and mystical, like a sexy 1970's horror film. In the video when I marry my own alter ego, we have a dreamy honeymoon that eventually ends in death. We shot it on the beach in Mexico on Super 8 film with lots of dark imagery and velvet matadors and candelabras to evoke ghosts and dead brides. I would call it a "sexy beachy 1970's Halloween moment."
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
Try as you might, you can never escape yourself.
Interview by Karla Harris