Sep 22, 2011
On first listen to Brite Futures‘ fiercely catchy new album, DARK PAST, it might seem like quite the misnomer. The album’s synth-happy mix of New Wave, rock, funk, and dance music packs all the boundless pep of a hyperactive kindergartener on a never-ending sugar high. But tune in closer to these ten tracks and you’ll soon hear the pain behind the pop.
“The title DARK PAST is a half-serious reflection of the tough times we went through over the past few years,” says guitarist Luke Smith, referring to the band’s split with Warner Bros. Records during the days when they were known as Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head (NPSH).
The band and Warner Bros. Records had different ideas about NPSH’s artistic direction and the two parties mutually agreed to end the relationship. The band’s dance with the majors left them conflicted – a difficult time that serves as a potent reminder about the importance of creative freedom and what it means to be truly independent. After that experience, Luke, Shaun, Claire, and David decided it was time for a new band name. “For as much attention as being called Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head got us, it was also holding us back,” Luke says. “It was nice to shed that name and be our own thing for the first time.” (Brite Futures address the issue in the final episode of their hilarious “Conversation with Natalie” trilogy on their YouTube channel.)
The video for “Too Young To Kill” was directed Noel Paul of That-Go and shot over two days in Seattle during a typical blustery snow flurried time earlier this year before summer kicked in.
The video was inspired by the band’s obsession of sharing cool random images on their Tumblr account of short film clips from the 1940′s, 50′s and 60′s. Many of them are iconic and some are just really obscure ones the band found on their fan’s pages. The video is about these loops that aren’t actually filmed as loops.
To pull off the concept the band and director had to move fast and keep it moving through a ton of costume changes and had one take to get each set-up right. The band played a cast of characters that included all of The Beatles, Shirley Temple, Orson Welles, Audrey Hepburn, Anna Karina, Marylin Monroe, Nirvana amongst many more.
Luke Smith (Guitarist, Vocalist) from the band noted:
“We spent way more time in the makeup chair than in front of the camera. In some shots you can see residue of stubborn eyeliner that wouldn’t come off in time for the next shot. One minute I was Bob Dylan and the next I was in a cheerleader outfit. “
Next stop for the band will be this year’s CMJ Festival – mark these shows on your calendar and stay tuned for more news!
October 20th @ 10pm @ Trash Bar @ The Williamsburg Official CMJ Showcase
October 20th @ 12:15am @ Tamnany Hall @ LES/Neon Gold/POPSHOP Showcase
