A Dancing Paper World Right Across The Hall

Same old story. Out of money.

Didn’t plan enough, budget enough. You’ve already blown the wad on the album and the first couple videos and much as you don’t want it to be, it seems like that’s it.

And to me it’s always kind of heartbreaking, because there are always at least a few more songs you’re just burning to highlight, give their own special little release to with a music video; a sort of statement to the world, “hey, this one’s really worth paying attention to.”

But you’re out of money.

Well, they say “ask and you shall receive.” And sometimes it just works out that way.

I happen to have a neighbor who’s an illustrator/artist. My buddy Johannes. Since I knew him he would split his time between Switzerland and NYC.

A few months after Questions was released we were hanging out in my apartment one afternoon, and out of the blue he said “hey, not sure where your music video schedule is at, but if you’re up for it, I’d love to throw my hat in the ring.”

When I told him I’d love to take him up on it but the album campaign funds were depleted he said he’d do it for whatever I could throw him.

He was just excited by the idea of working in a new medium.

Well, in a nutshell, we threw a few ideas around, talked about working in paper, so he could do it in his apartment, I went on tour, and that was that.

When I got home a few weeks later, he said, “come on over, I need to shoot you for a couple shots.” I went over that night, and a day or so later, he sent me the finished thing.

It was the least input I think I’ve ever put into a video. And certainly one of my favorites.

As for the song itself, there’s a whole story about how it played a crucial role in the ultimate direction of the record, but that’s written about elsewhere.

For now, the excellent PopMatters.com had this to say about the video:

“Every frame of the “Task” video makes an indelible impression. In Labusch, Bronson has once again found a collaborator who’s translated his words and music into an unforgettable visual statement.”

So please enjoy the paper brilliance of Johannes Labusch, and the musical and vocal brilliance of my incredible band on “Task.”