Acclaimed modernist pop band Islands have released a darkly humorous and highly atmospheric video for the upbeat and melodic song “Hallways” from their acclaimed new Anti-Records release A Sleep & A Forgetting. The clip features the band’s singer-songwriter Nick Thorburn performing with, and then joining, an exuberant band of skeleton musicians.
[youtube Czi0F_Ovaws nolink]The video was co directed by Lex Halaby and puppeteer Toben Seymour. As Halaby explains, “From the beginning we talked with Nick about making a video that’s equal parts funny and creepy. Nick he brought up the Max Fleischer cartoons of the 1930s as a source of inspiration. ‘The Skeleton Dance’ (1929) caught our eye and sparked the concept. We loved the idea of bringing an entire skeleton band to life. We also wanted an animated world that looked more like stop motion animation. The skeleton puppets were brought to life by four puppeteers; each one controlling the arms, legs, torso, and head. It was a team effort in every single shot.”