Dead Can Dance keyboardist Jules Maxwell has premiered with us today his video for “Blowtorch”, directed by former Cure guitarist Perry Bamonte.
“Blowtorch” is featured on his solo album Songs From The Cultural Backwater, a record that was recorded over the last five years at his studio in Northern France.
The song is a minimalist folk guitar piece, reminiscent of the work of Nick Drake, while taking inspiration from acclaimed singer song writer Jimmy Webb.
To accompany the release of ‘Blowtorch’, three different videos have been produced for the single, each adding their own different perspective on how the song should be listened to. The first created by illustrator and former Cure member Perry Bamonte, the second by animator David Daniels, and third featuring his own son Mani in Toronto, to whom this album is dedicated to.
Speaking about the single and accompanying videos, Jules said:
“Blowtorch is one of my most lyrically colourful songs. Interpreting it in film was always going to be a huge challenge. I was pretty sure I wanted something utterly minimal and not too illustrative. In their different ways all three films provide visual portals into hearing the lyrics more vividly. That’s what I love about all them all. There’s a beautiful sadness to them which completely connects with what I was trying to communicate in the words and music”.
Jules will also be returning to his post with Dead Can Dance to release their eagerly anticipated new album ‘Dionysus’ in November, as well as perform with them on their ‘A Celebration – Life And Works 1980 – 2019’ tour spring next year. He has also contributed four co-written songs, alongside Lisa Gerrard, for the latest The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices album ‘BooCheeMish’, released earlier in May.
Jules Maxwell’s debut album Songs From The Cultural Backwater is due out on September 28th.
