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June 30, 2009

New Dirty Projectors Video - "Stillness Is The Move"

thumbnail icon: New Dirty Projectors Video - "Stillness Is The Move"

Coming back after being trashed by old people and surviving a serious van accident (and collegiate a cappella), the Dirty Projectors have unleashed an entertaining, unexpected video directed by Matthew Lessner. From its early days at SXSW to when we heard Bitte Orca in full, "Stillness Is The Move" stood out on an album that many of you have argued is the best of '09. It was always clear it would be the single, but what wasn't clear was that its video would involve synchronized dancing in powder blue jumpsuits or the Projectors wearing hoods and running with wolves. The gals are the main focus, but solitary Dave makes a believable llama herder.

Watch a larger version here.

Bitte Orca is out via Domino.

Posted at 12:09 AM by brandon in
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83 Comments

FUCK YEAH!

Posted by: kb at 06/30/09 12:18 AM | Reply
Score = 10 Vote up Vote down

Anyone see the Beyoncé influence on this video? ALL THE SINGLE LADIES!

Posted by: Mr. Bananagrabber at 06/30/09 12:26 AM | Reply
Score = 32 Vote up Vote down

We can only hope they're single. *le lust*

Posted by: Jim in reply to Mr. Bananagrabber's comment at 06/30/09 6:30 AM | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

i kinda expected two doves to start at the end of the video. but wow. fucking awesome

Posted by: bitte brorca at 06/30/09 12:31 AM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Terrible, terrible song.

Posted by: Aaron at 06/30/09 12:37 AM | Reply
Score = -72 Vote up Vote down

Bad teacher? Ah ah ah. Bad principal!

Posted by: steelydwill in reply to Aaron's comment at 06/30/09 1:21 AM | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down
joey4track

what would super nintendo chalmers think?!

Posted by: joey4track profile link in reply to steelydwill's comment at 07/03/09 8:46 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

Every time I play this song people complain and ask me to turn it off. Your comeback, "Get new friends." my response, no really, this song is terrible.

Posted by: easy in reply to Aaron's comment at 07/02/09 8:08 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

those wolves look like my siberian husky.

Posted by: apollo at 06/30/09 12:45 AM | Reply
Score = 12 Vote up Vote down
smiles

I think this video could be the Biggest What the Fuck of 2009. But in a good way, since any conventional attempt at a video for this song would very likely be lame.

Also, great song! Love.

Posted by: smiles profile link at 06/30/09 12:47 AM | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

huh?

this is a conventional video.

Posted by: sssigh in reply to smiles's comment at 06/30/09 8:22 PM | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down
smiles

Um, huh? I guess I define conventional loosely. I meant that it's unconventional in that you don't see people dancing on hillsides with llamas in costumes in every music video. But I could be wrong.

Posted by: smiles profile link in reply to sssigh's comment at 07/04/09 6:11 PM | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down
jmpang

Nat Baldwin wins best music video performance for his convincing portrayal of a llama.

Posted by: jmpang profile link at 06/30/09 12:51 AM | Reply
Score = 30 Vote up Vote down

respect the llama

Posted by: bnims at 06/30/09 12:55 AM | Reply
Score = -3 Vote up Vote down

Is that the llama from the Wilco cover?

Posted by: NickDean at 06/30/09 1:01 AM | Reply
Score = 12 Vote up Vote down

Dude, really? You can't tell a llama from a camel?

Posted by: Johnnyboy in reply to NickDean's comment at 06/30/09 4:16 PM | Reply
Score = 27 Vote up Vote down

That's an alpaca.

Posted by: eric in reply to Johnnyboy's comment at 07/10/09 1:17 PM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

FUCK I wish I didn't watch this video. I realized from the first part that the singer has some sort of lisp, and now it's really hard to listen to this song BECAUSE I CAN HEAR IT EVERYWHERE. FUCK.

Posted by: Jarrett at 06/30/09 1:02 AM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

That's like the first time I saw Isaac Brock sing.

Posted by: Keith in reply to Jarrett's comment at 06/30/09 4:21 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

She has nice teeth.

Posted by: 10over9 in reply to Keith's comment at 06/30/09 9:09 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

If you want, you asshole, since you are so tormented by the singer supposedly having some lisp, I could put you out of your misery for you? How does that sound?

Posted by: steve in reply to Jarrett's comment at 06/30/09 11:48 AM | Reply
Score = -35 Vote up Vote down
octavis

i watch this video and i...jizz in my pants. /lonelyisland

Posted by: octavis profile link at 06/30/09 1:06 AM | Reply
Score = -65 Vote up Vote down

ha really liked that video. I hope no one is pissed becuase they think it was trying to evoke some deep meaning that just turned out to be bullshit. This video was just for the mood and a good reason to get them in strange costumes and dave with a lama all amongst some nice scenery.

Posted by: erikl profile link at 06/30/09 1:23 AM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Llamas have never been so indie.

Posted by: jaychuck profile link at 06/30/09 1:48 AM | Reply
Score = 48 Vote up Vote down

This is fucking amazing. End of story.

Posted by: tobi at 06/30/09 2:44 AM | Reply
Score = -4 Vote up Vote down
agrokrag

after all that they've been through, I know that Dave and that Llama will make it.

Posted by: agrokrag profile link at 06/30/09 3:02 AM | Reply
Score = 21 Vote up Vote down

I felt as though the post-Freudian angle that DP is going for with this video is rather bizarre: I mean come on, let's throw out the whole notion that Hegelian ideas of the dialectic is being evoked when the llama is nuzzled, and what the video basically becomes is some pseudo critique on sexual politics in America, with an emphasis on hipster love-making.

Try harder, DP, please. You're not fooling anyone.

Posted by: southstar at 06/30/09 3:17 AM | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

Anyone who down-voted this doesn't understand sarcasm.

Posted by: Jon in reply to southstar's comment at 06/30/09 3:14 PM | Reply
Score = -10 Vote up Vote down
Paper Werewolf

As much as I love all three of those girls, those pants are not doing them any favors.

Posted by: Paper Werewolf profile link at 06/30/09 4:45 AM | Reply
Score = 26 Vote up Vote down

Perfectly unique and cool.

Posted by: Sheer Zed at 06/30/09 6:26 AM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

How come the wolves don't attack them, you can tame wolves these days? Some special sort?

Posted by: macaronyy at 06/30/09 6:35 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

They are the special "not wolves" type of wolf.

Posted by: Alan Knut in reply to macaronyy's comment at 06/30/09 12:06 PM | Reply
Score = 22 Vote up Vote down
Deezey

Aw, I liked that. So cute seeing the girls all choreographed, and this song is a summer jam!

Posted by: Deezey profile link at 06/30/09 9:09 AM | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

it's better than that nightmare factory of a grizzly bear video.

Posted by: jimmy jazz at 06/30/09 9:53 AM | Reply
Score = -11 Vote up Vote down

higher quality of the video and more at http://stillnessisthemove.com/

Posted by: franky at 06/30/09 10:34 AM | Reply
Score = 4 Vote up Vote down

:O
You're a terrible Aaron, change your name! This song is so good, and the video is so pretty!

Posted by: Aaron #2 at 06/30/09 11:33 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

does anyone know where this was filmed?

Posted by: seth at 06/30/09 11:56 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

It was filmed at Mount Equinox in Vermont.

Posted by: Taylor in reply to seth's comment at 06/30/09 12:00 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

...visually in my own head it's some red white and blue animated J5 Coca-Cola commercial or Peter Gabriel swimming with goldfish type thing but that's just me...

Posted by: Golden Years at 06/30/09 12:06 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Where was it filmed?

Posted by: dhs at 06/30/09 12:38 PM | Reply
Score = -2 Vote up Vote down

This song was definitely written for the llama.

Posted by: Emily at 06/30/09 1:50 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

the hyper-linking in this article is out of fucking control.

video and song are dope.

Posted by: dickface at 06/30/09 1:50 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Church music with the "indie wolves". God why does every music video have to have some sort of wolf? Or for the picky ones, something that looks like a wolf? (huskies)

Posted by: youare? at 06/30/09 2:33 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I know you're trying to be sarcastic, but sarcasm only works if it makes sense. How are Hegelian dialectics and llama nuzzling related? Now Delueze, I could understand.

I bet DP are theory heads. I voted up your comment because it made me laugh at the thought.

Posted by: um at 06/30/09 5:38 PM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

this video is atrocious. these musicians have no visual sense or judgment whatsoever. it's embarrassing. it ruins the song completely.

every official music video i have seen by hyped bands this year have been atrocious. what's up?

Posted by: sssigh at 06/30/09 7:33 PM | Reply
Score = -5 Vote up Vote down

NOT ENOUGH ANGEL

Posted by: chris profile link at 06/30/09 8:32 PM | Reply
Score = 17 Vote up Vote down

The one girl's near stumble at the end was kinda cute.

Posted by: 10over9 at 06/30/09 9:11 PM | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

The video is embarassing and doesn't fit the spirit of the song whatsoever.

Posted by: Goon at 06/30/09 9:25 PM | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

Cosign has a little piece on Lessner: http://www.cosignresearch.com/?p=751

Posted by: J at 06/30/09 10:17 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Thanks for the link!

Posted by: Chris in reply to J's comment at 07/02/09 5:44 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

Oh, indie wolves. Groundbreaking.
I don't understand the need to put a wolf in every goddamn video lately.

Posted by: mhm at 07/01/09 12:04 AM | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

TLC -> DP = Don't go chasing llamas.

Posted by: Vin at 07/01/09 2:44 AM | Reply
Score = 8 Vote up Vote down

I had the exact same reaction ... i was ambivalent about DP ... but now I know that chick doesn't have an unusual voice, she has a disabled voice.

Posted by: Warpedcoasters.blogspot.com profile link at 07/01/09 2:00 PM | Reply
Score = -5 Vote up Vote down

I thought that was albino Jesse Lacey at the beginning until she started singing.

Posted by: Brad Bramish profile link at 07/01/09 2:49 PM | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

Not to split hairs, but aren't those Siberian husky dogs? Not wolves?

Also, creepy skin-coloured lips are creepy.

Posted by: Hannah JV at 07/01/09 7:23 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

I didn't know Dirty Projectors had a song on The Emperor's New Groove soundtrack! (sorry, awful joke.)

Posted by: Brad Bramish profile link at 07/01/09 9:44 PM | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

This video is VERY Wilson Phillips, and doesn't fit the song at all. Best of luck in future efforts though!

Posted by: Debra at 07/01/09 10:30 PM | Reply
Score = 6 Vote up Vote down

Those aren't wolves. They are alaskan malamutes.

Posted by: woof at 07/02/09 2:42 AM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

what type of video would fit the spirit of this song?...you over critical bastards.

Posted by: Starship at 07/02/09 10:05 AM | Reply
Score = 7 Vote up Vote down

visuals that respect the simultaneous quirkiness and catchinesss of the song without falling into visual cliches of quirkiness and a mocking attitude towards its catchiness.

Posted by: a critical bastard in reply to Starship's comment at 07/02/09 10:19 PM | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

Was the awkwardness intentional? With the weird dancing and the uncomfortable close ups during the vocal trills? I hope it was. But, for the sake of this song's video potential, I hope it wasn't.

Posted by: kemi at 07/02/09 11:20 AM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down
laserguided

Dirty Projectors have been around for years, so why are people just now starting to hate on them?

Posted by: laserguided profile link at 07/02/09 8:31 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

For the same reason people started hating on Animal Collective, Girl Talk and Vampire Weekend – overhyped.

Posted by: MF McNutt in reply to laserguided's comment at 07/02/09 10:51 PM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

see, this is where i have a problem. hating on bands because they are 'overhyped' is absolutely fucking childish. the amount of hype a band gets should no part of your decision to like or dislike that band. all hype should be do for you is allow you access to music other people like, and whether or not you enjoy it is up to your goddamn tastes.

fuck i sound like a moron... would people stop saying 'overhyped' forever please, it's just a ridiculous concept and it ruins my motherfucking internet music time.

Posted by: carl in reply to MF McNutt's comment at 07/06/09 10:02 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

I love the Dirty Projectors and really do favour Bitte Orca, but oh man.. this video made me so absolutely uncomfortable. Truly. The close-ups, swinging camera shots, (hopefully ironic) syncronized dancing, and all on a mountaintop nonetheless. I dug the llama and the cult vibe was pretty damn sweet, but all else? Epic Fail. Too much money, not enough ideas. Cheers.

Posted by: Nip Slip at 07/03/09 12:30 AM | Reply
Score = 8 Vote up Vote down

I don't understand the hate. You've got a llama, wolves, a mtn, ANGEL!, two other women, ANGEL, a fuckin eagle, bad ass hollowbody 12 string, ANGEL, and other awesome shit.

Best video I've seen in a long time.

Posted by: tapirman profile link at 07/03/09 12:26 PM | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

That's Amber who's singing. Angel is the sexy one.

Posted by: Chris in reply to tapirman's comment at 07/08/09 8:57 PM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

On top of the highest mountain, there is a great loogie.

Posted by: vespajason at 07/03/09 1:39 PM | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

I am in love with Amber Coffman. Like, head-over-heels in love.

Posted by: Pete Fontaine at 07/04/09 1:36 PM | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down

so a bunch of dweebs move to my neighborhood in Brooklyn to be accepted by the people they think are cooler than them, they sample "Big Pimping" by Jay-Z, waste time making some pretentious shit video like this to go along with it, and then they receive comments like "this is fucking amazing"...wow, the world is way more fucked than i thought it was. this song is straight up annoying and so it everything else i've heard from dirty projectors (way cool name, btw, dude!)
i'm not hating for the sake of hating...i'm hating because music is my passion in life and i can't help speaking out against this indie poser sheep phenominon that apparently is still happening. stop moving to brooklyn with your trust fund money and pretending you're doing something original and/or important. your ruining it.

Posted by: dirty projackoffs at 07/06/09 10:54 AM | Reply
Score = -10 Vote up Vote down

You're a cute kid. Go play outside.

Posted by: Stranger in reply to dirty projackoffs's comment at 07/07/09 4:49 PM | Reply
Score = -1 Vote up Vote down

ha "Big Pimping"...obviously not true but not too far off

Posted by: Troy in reply to dirty projackoffs's comment at 07/08/09 7:57 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

I was alright with you droning on about how your taste in music is superior to everyone else's, but when you told us what kind of wine you were drinking, I realized that I DO, in fact, know exactly who you are. You're That Guy.

Gross.

Posted by: Bree at 07/06/09 1:13 PM | Reply
Score = 3 Vote up Vote down

aww, you said " you're that guy"...i remember that phrase. you probably also say things like "i can tell you but i'd have to kill you"

Posted by: ethan in reply to Bree's comment at 07/08/09 7:52 PM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

i think this group is overrated.

Posted by: Rob Patterson profile link at 07/06/09 8:48 PM | Reply
Score = 5 Vote up Vote down
SubSickAlien

I'll take a stab in the dark and just say that they're not professional dancers. They just don't look comfortable doing that dance. Still love the song though.

Posted by: SubSickAlien profile link at 07/06/09 9:47 PM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

This looks like one of the fantasy sequences from The Song Remains the Same.

Posted by: Greg at 07/07/09 10:56 PM | Reply
Score = 2 Vote up Vote down

Adorable. I'm impressed if a bit disconcerted that the sound is so polished and mainstream now. When I first saw them it was all Dave and so jarringly Shudder To Think. Like, in your face male vocal contortionist with angst to spare. I would never have imagined the progression into girls dancing on hilltops with Mariah Carey vocals. But I really do think Its nice having the focus on the women. Wish the other two got some camera time. Angel is a insanely talented musician in her own right. Sort of lame to make her into back up dancer.

Posted by: jetsettica at 07/08/09 12:39 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

when did someone start talkin about wine? dont see that comment...

Posted by: nate at 07/08/09 8:04 PM | Reply
Score = 1 Vote up Vote down

Death to the dirty projectors!

Posted by: nandorocker at 07/09/09 11:54 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

OBAMA LLAMA!!

whoa: weirdest interpretation of this song and video yet: http://slouchingtowardsbushwick.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/obama-llama-in-stillness-is-the-move/

hi-lite: "The lead singer, Amber Coffman, acknowledges his long-term economic stimulus program, even stating her cooperation: taking whatever job is available for the time being."

weird.

Posted by: mash at 07/20/09 4:07 AM | Reply
Score = 0 Vote up Vote down

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