So far the focus of N.A.S.A. (North America/South America)’s The Spirit Of Apollo has been beatmakers Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon’s various guest collaborators. “Gifted” featured Kanye West, Lykke Li, and Santogold Santigold. It was followed by “Whachadoin,” which brought together M.I.A., Spank Rock, Santi, and Nick Zinner. Continuing the trend, here’s a video for “The People Tree” wherein you’ll hear David Byrne singing alongside rhymes by Chali 2na, Gift Of Gab & Z-Trip. Perhaps the most interesting thing about it’s the visual treatment by Canadian artist Marcel Dzama, who’s done art for a bunch of albums and McSweeney’s pubs, outside of his gallery shows. As usual, there’s something magical about his imagery (the man has a knack for anthropomorphic trees). Syd Garon directed.
“The People Tree” video’s hosted by Boing Boing, who got the following statement from Byrne:
Since I wrote a tune and some words for Mr Clean’s track various layers of meaning have been added- not the least of which is Marcel’s animated video. Having first seen his work at a show by the Royal Art Lodge collective I wondered if there might be something in the water up there in Winnipeg. Here is the voice of God speaking through an old Oak tree- which seems perfectly right…and it complements the song perfectly, as do the ghosty spermy spirits at one point. anyway, I’m flattered and thrilled that this all happened- I never would have dreamed it, but now I do.
The Spirit Of Apollo is out via Anti-.
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The “Remain in Light” outake “Fela’s Riff” is tremdous…good as coffee. What a wave they were riding…
marcel dzama! sick!
He shouldn’t say ‘ Mr. Clean’ I thought he did a jingle for the cleaning brand.
Dave is my grand-pappy’s age and is twice as hip as I could ever dream to be. Furthermore, he’s been that hip forever and rarely comes across as he’s TRYING to be that hip.
He is the god of indie music at this point. Even if you hate his music you gotta admit that the guy is willing to try anything and embraces new things without flinching.
Pitchfork gave this record a 1.6.
Which means I’m totally gonna buy it.
pitchfork’s reviewer also pretty much said that David Byrne is a has-been – the reviewer is kind of ignorant at the very least.
What? No barbs about how Girl Talk didn’t think of this before?