by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s WITH MARCO di STEFANO

Italian composer Marco Di Stefano has been recognized for his ability to blend classical orchestration, folk influences and cinematic scoring into music that feels both epic and deeply human.

His latest project Far Inside takes this skill a step further, pairing his orchestral compositions with striking visual narratives.

The new video for “Tarantella Noire”, a track on the new album, brings together live recording footage from the European Recording Orchestra in Sofia with AI generated cinematic clips, creating a tension between reality and imagination.

Inspired by the events in Palermo in 1992, particularly the murders of judges Falcone and Borsellino, the video balances historical drama with a fictionalized narrative, exploring the shadowy underworld of organized crime through a visual lens.

We spoke with Di Stefano who walks us through the creative decisions behind the video, the process of blending orchestral performance with cinematic storytelling, and how he translated a pivotal moment in history into music and imagery.

1.Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

The track was conceived with a strong cinematic and narrative focus, designed to evoke clear imagery and guide the listener through a story. Consequently, the visualization could not be merely an accompaniment; it had to function as a genuine narrative support.

I chose to merge two core elements: authentic footage from the recording session, which lends credibility and showcases the artistic genesis of the piece, and cinematic clips generated via artificial intelligence.

2. What was the inspiration behind this new video (visuals, storyline etc.)?

The inspiration for both the song and the video is rooted in a fictional narrative set against the real historical context of the events in Palermo in 1992, specifically the dramatic escalation leading to the murders of judges Falcone and Borsellino, who symbolized the fight against organized crime.

For the video, I adopted a visual approach that balances documentary style with a cinematic feel. The majority of the footage features the studio recording session with the European Recording Orchestra in Sofia, which highlights the high production value and orchestral commitment. I integrated short, AI-generated clips depicting an old, abandoned house in the Sicilian mountains, envisioned as a criminal hideout. This duality creates a visual tension that mirrors the historical drama of the story.

3. What was the process of making the video?

The process was guided by the dual objective of maximizing the musical performance and enriching it with an evocative visual context. The primary phase involved the meticulous editing of the recording session footage, selecting and assembling the most effective and dynamic moments of the orchestral execution.

Following this, I made the decision to incorporate the AI-generated clips. This was not merely filler, but a deliberate choice to elevate the video’s atmosphere beyond a simple making-of. The integration of these cinematic elements allowed us to create a richer visual texture, providing an implicit narrative backdrop that supports the epic quality of the music and demonstrates my ability to curate detail and the overall mood of the final product.

Keep up with Marco Di Stefano on his Website

02.27.25

by Jane Lambert

Breaking the Transmission – Animals in Denial’s “Operator” Music Video Is a Cyberpunk Fever Dream

Animals in Denial has never been one to follow convention, and “Operator” is proof of that – a track that pulses with industrial grit, synth-heavy nostalgia and raw emotions.

Now with its newly released music video, “Operator” is something of a cinematic descent into a digital dystopia, where reality warps and emotions twist under the glow of neon lights.

Watch here:

This video is truly gripping with its unsettling and almost nightmarish atmosphere. Christian Imes delivers a haunting performance, as he struggles against unseen forces and finds himself bound and trapped not just physically, but emotionally too.

His desperate attempts to break free mirror the song’s themes of attachment, then detachment, and the realization that love can be just another illusion. Flickering images of his torment intensify which create a sense of claustrophobia that reflects the song’s core.

But it’s not just the human struggle that makes Operator such a striking watch.

The presence of a cobra snake, and flickering frames adds a hypnotic sense of danger. The reptile becomes a symbol of both seduction and control, reinforcing the feeling that this world is a trap. The snake’s eerie presence also suggests that temptation, fear and fate are intertwined in this world of distorted love and shattered connections.

The song itself is born from a beat that haunted Imes since the age of 14 after watching The Matrix. Originally pieced together using a lite version of Ableton Live and a handful of drum samples, Operator took on a new life when Steven Seibold (Hate Dept/Pigface) stepped in for additional production and mixing.

His expertise has helped to sharpen the track’s cold, metallic edges while subtle tweaks like a reworked third verse and unexpected backing vocals in the chorus have pushed the song into new territory. These enhancements have also worked to give it a chilling and almost prophetic resonance.

The final result is a high voltage, emotionally charged cyperpunk anthem that carried the sinister energy of Nine Inch Nails with the pulse of The Prodigy and that brooding intensity of Marilyn Manson.

The video only amplifies this energy, immersing viewers in a visually striking world that feels like a cross between a fever dream and a digital prison. The erratic camera work, rapid cuts, and neon-drenched visuals creating a sense of disorientation, as if the viewer is trapped in the same transmission loop as the protagonist.

With stunning visuals and a chilling atmosphere, “Operator” is truly a story of loss, longing and that crushing realization that some connections exist only as echoes in the void.

Connect with Animals In Denial on the Website

11.15.24

by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3 Q’s with JASON SINAY

meta-ey-Jzcm-NCd-WNr-ZXQi-Oi-Jiemds-Zmls-ZXMif-Q-copy-3

Jason Sinay is a name that carries weight in the music world, not just for his collaborations with icons like Keith Richards, Neil Young, and Lucinda Williams, but for his long-standing role as a member of Heartbreaker Mike Campbell’s band, the Dirty Knobs.

Now, stepping into the spotlight with his solo career, Sinay is carving a new path defined by raw masterful and original songwriting, and a deep connection to his musical roots.

At the heart of this next chapter is “High Plains Drifter,” the lead single from his upcoming double album, “The Mountain“ due to be released at the beginning of 2025.

Inspired by Clint Eastwood’s iconic Western of the same name, the song blends cosmic country-rock with introspective storytelling, painting a vivid picture of self-reckoning. Its jangly guitars and atmospheric grooves capture the timeless spirit of the Old West while reflecting Sinay’s personal journey of confronting inner demons and embracing the complexity of human nature.

In this exclusive interview, Sinay opens up about the inspiration behind the official music video to “High Plains Drifter”:

1. Tell us the story of this song. Why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

“High Plains Drifter” centers on an ominous character — “Born to be a liar/ Born to be a liar/ Like me” — who turns out to be the man in the mirror.

The song is about coming to terms with my own sense of good and evil within myself. I never wanted to look at evil in my life. I always was like, That doesn’t exist. That can’t be true. People aren’t that bad.

And then I realized, Well, sometimes, I’m not that bad.

The song is named after Clint Eastwood’s 1973 Western High Plains Drifter — one of my favorite films ever made!

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

We approached legendary music video director Woody Ford, who brings fun and compelling imagery to his work. We all are fans of the silent Western/Comedy films of the early 1900’s and thought those masterpiece’s could be a great resource to tell the story of the onimous characters of the old West, outlined in the song. I am thrilled with the results.

3. What was the process of making this video?

Woody and his team spent over 40 hours viewing classic silent films, most over 100 years old, that he could repurpose to bring the storyline to life. I was blown away with the wealth of great footage they uncovered.

It was amazing how Woody used the lyrics, throughout the video, and kept the integrity of these classic films by making the video in the style of a silent film. He did use some modern AI technology, to incorporate me as one of the characters in the video … see if you can locate my cameo?

Keep up to date with Jason Sinay on his Website.

Stream music on Spotify and YouTube.

08.25.14

by Jane Lambert

“The Past is a Grotesque Animal”…Yes, yes it is.

Over the weekend I had finally watched the long awaited of Montreal documentary, The Past is a Grotesque Animal. I was hesitant to view this film for quite some time, as I thought it would destroy my perception of front man and songwriter Kevin Barnes. This proved to be an eye opening experience for sure. The film highlights the band’s career from the very start. Seeing all of the old footage of how the group came to be was rather charming and delightful. The behind the scenes footage was certainly a treat as well. Their vibrancy and quirkiness definitely shined straight from the screen. Every aspect of the band was touched upon. From troubling relationships, to the brilliant artwork and stage performance antics of brother David Barnes and co., it proved to be truly insightful.

Throughout all of the good times and struggles the band often continued with, the film focused quite a bit on Kevin Barnes’ inner demons. The depression, the anxiety, the need to make ‘good art,’ no matter at what cost. The one problem though, is the need to make ‘good art,’ lead to the departure of longtime and key players Dottie Alexander, James Husband, Bryan Poole (B.P.), alongside Matt Dawson and Davey Pierce respectively.

The thing that struck me most was how easily Barnes removed himself from them to make a complete musical transformation. What came to be one of the most celebrated band of the 00’s, has changed into so many forms that there feels like there is something missing, especially in a live setting. The ever exciting line up during onstage dance parties are something that I, as well as many fans, truly miss. Though change can be good sometimes, The Past is a Grotesque Animal, made Barnes out to have villain tendencies. Whether or not this was the intention, it was an extremely fascinating look into a phenomenal band that has hit home with so many listeners over the past several years.

I don’t think I will ever stop buying of Montreal records. Kevin’s songs have always struck a chord with me. This certainly gives me a different perspective into the world of of Montreal.