Florence and the Machine: “Dog Days Are Over”
First of all, just a quick announcement to say, we know we promised to post our 2010 Media Kit and some exciting news about Issue 05 here on the blog today, but, quelle surprise, it’s taking us a little bit longer than anticipated to tabulate the results of last week’s survey. Please do check back tomorrow for the stats and our big Issue 05 announcement. Also, warm, wet, sloppy thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey. You’re wonderful. It’s been an honor to learn a little more about you. Especially your underwear habits. No, seriously. *filthy chortle*
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Damn, is Florence Welch one seriously glorious culture vulture in this video, or what?
Directed by Georgie Greville and Geremy Jasper. Edited by Paul Snyder.
From the production team’s official press statement: “Florence is the shamanic leader of a surreal orchestra where spiritual elation explodes into smokey psychedelic anarchy. Each musical element of the song is personified by a group of colorful characters that combine 60’s girl groups, Hinduism, gospel choirs, drum circles, paganism and pyrotechnics. Florence is a painted primal force of nature that whips a religious experience into a riot.” Yep. And those blue and gold Andorian Motown beehive girls definitely take it to the next level.
Major media outlets in the United Kingdom have been agressively touting Florence and the Machine‘s output for a couple of years now. More recently, Welch began capturing hearts around the world by touring internationally. Pairing her enormous voice with a rather intimidating bevy of musicians and couture wardrobe stylists, the art school dropout also exudes an earthy intelligence that’s both endearing and disarming. Currently, Welch et al are working on a second full-length album that she says is a lot heavier than their first record, Lungs. “A bit more fuzzy, a bit harder. If the first album was animal and anatomical, I think this one is chemical and elemental.” She’s also touring the UK next month.
Just for contextual kicks, here are some more tidbits that the cultural grab bag style of “Dog Days” is either vaguely (or directly) reminiscent of:
- Fever Ray: “When I Grow Up“
- Imogen Heap: “Headlock“
- The Celebration: “I Will Not Fall“
- Kate Bush: “Sat in Your Lap“
- Bjork: “Earth Intruders“
- Boy George & the Culture Club: “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me“
April 12th, 2010 at 1:19 am
i prefer the first version of the video set in the forest
April 12th, 2010 at 1:30 am
Clowny clown clowns….
April 12th, 2010 at 2:02 am
so glad you gave a shout out to flo. i’ve been following her since her ashock days and adore her style, her songwriting and her singing voice
secxx.
April 12th, 2010 at 3:28 am
Not a fan of the new video, but LOVEEEEEEEE Florence. Saw her Friday, had my mind blown.
April 12th, 2010 at 6:21 am
This was an introduction for me – I hadn’t heard of her and man, what pipes. Thank you!
April 12th, 2010 at 9:04 am
I have to say, both videos are awesome. they both show Florence’s position at the time, both as an artist and a performer. They’re still in a fairly similar vein, one just has a far larger budget. well done her.
fantabulous song either way.
April 12th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I’m pleasantly surprised. Was under the impression that Florence and the Machine was another of those female fronted fashionable electro bands so spammed by the NME. Little Boots, La Roux, Marina and something, and on and on.
This one’s pretty good though.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:41 am
I am completely surprised Florence hasn’t widely breached mainstream music culture over here in the States. Hell of a find, Mer, thanks for sharing.
Also the blue background dancers with the beehives in the vid reminded me of something Shatner would be aching to sleep with in the original Star Trek.
April 12th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
i adore Florence and the Machine, the album is faultless, every song is too good to turn off once it’s started. Funny enough the only song which seems ill-fitting is Kiss With A Fist, it’s so jerky but it was the first song most people here in Ireland heard from her. I didn’t realise she wasn’t well known in the states. I thought she was just a Eurythmics rip off at first but once I heard the album I was totally hooked.
My favourite lyric of hers is “i drag my teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart”
The video for Drumming Song is also very religious and the costumes are FABULOUS – sometimes greek goddess, sometimes black sparkling showgirl, and then the gorgeous demon’s mask. aahhh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boo2Zm69fhY
April 12th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
I love Florence, can’t wait to see her in May. My favourite performance online has to be this version of “Girl With One Eye”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Zoxf3G6u8
April 12th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Neato, I hadn’t seen this new version yet! I kind of prefer the original, but this one’s staging is very interesting.
April 12th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Goddamn, I love Coilhouse. I’ve been introduced to so MANY many things on this site that I otherwise would have probably never heard of- so many things that I absolutely adore now, and here’s another.
You guys rock so hard. :)
April 13th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
New to my ear and a welcomed delight. Visually that video is all over the place but surprisingly focused. It shouldn’t make sense that all of it feels naturally put together…but it does. What a cool universe that would be to live in. The background dancers are a dream…take note musicians…have multi-colored back up dancers. Think skittles.
Musically, what a voice! Though I will say this production and general vibe reminds me a bit of The Polyphonic Spree, both in energy and sheer “We’re having fun!” mentality. LOVE IT. Look forward to diving in a bit more and getting a better picture of her work.
@peppercorn…NME wouldn’t be what they are if not for the incessant hammering things into oblivion. It’s what their good at. Kinda how Rolling Stone is fantastic at being out of touch and still considers Kid Rock a major artist.
July 20th, 2010 at 10:35 am
This song is on RIGHT NOW on Covert Affairs, of all shows. Go, GO Florence!