The Artist Explains: Attawalpa - 'Take a Bite'
London based artist Attawalpa speaks to us about his latest music video and second single to date, the weird and wonderful 'Take a Bite'.
Where was the video for 'Take a Bite' filmed?
The visual was filmed in and around Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and a studio called 220 in brick lane. Pretty much London’s tourist traps. We were scheduled to shoot in Buckingham Palace but the queen was indecent and insisted we come back at a later date.
How does the video connect with the song?
It doesn’t really connect directly but the song is most certainly the soul of the visual so in that case, there is a strong connection. Lucy (Luscombe the director) did the initial creative and then I got involved once we got developing.
Turning me into a struggling street performer was Lucy’s idea and when she proposed it to me I thought it sounded crazy but juicy and fun. She knew what the song was about but she wasn’t interested in going down that road and I’m glad we didn’t!
The music video is a magical way of stretching the idea of the song. I think visuals and songs should lead their own separate lives. Be their own thing, breath their own air. My songs are like my children. Once they are mixed and mastered they are out in the world and they have to fend for themselves. We brought in so many interesting characters which I just love and will cherish for a long time. Lu threw me out of my comfort zone and made me the centre of attention in the most awkward ways - I loved every second of it.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you could share with us?
Lots! There are so many! It was so much fun hanging out with Lucy, she’s a very good friend but this was work. We laughed a lot.
Bruno Wizard (The Homosexuals) plays the devil and we are good friends(we’ve shared a stage countless times and we recently started writing together). He stayed in character during the whole day and there was a group of extras who were Christians and just not into it, the devil I mean. I think they would have loved Bruno but what can I say the guy is a serious performer. He stayed in character all day.
There was a protest against fashions body standards going on in Trafalgar Square and Lucy got one of the ladies to be in the vid. The moment Lu screamed ‘action!’ A wasp started chasing this lady and no one could see other than me. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Getting painted totally gold was pretty intense - a lot of that spray got in my eyes and I kept getting resprayed in public because my sweat would make it disperse - when I was getting resprayed in public it went everywhere - I think we might have even sprayed some kids on Trafalgar Square by mistake.
I do enjoy being the center of attention. Headbanging at the anti-Boris / Brexit march was awesome. Turned a few heads there. Also getting up on the Trafalgar Square lions was very illegal and very fun. Got chased off by the security but we made the shot.
The Amy Winehouse bits were really fun. A lot got left out of the video. At one point she was actually my love interest.
Also performing with an unplugged electric guitar at Piccadilly Circus roundabout was super awkward but hilarious once we got into it. A lot of weed smoking dudes calling me a weirdo etc. I think being a stoner in Piccadilly Circus is pretty weird but hey we are all individuals and someones weird is always going to be someones normal.
Could you tell us about the ideas/themes/imagery used?
Lucy and I have known each other for a long time so it was literally just throwing everything in that we thought would be fun, jokes and visually interesting. A delicacy of visual treats.
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
You tell me? I don’t want to explain everything as I feel that ruins the experience but I have heard a few enjoyable theories.
What do you hope people take away from watching the video?
A positive experience! Something they will remember and want to share - we live in a heavy stimulated world. I want to move you in a positive way. Maybe even come to my show on Feb 13th in London and have a dance IRL. https://dice.fm/event/bed7x-attawalpa-13th-feb-the-islington-london-tickets