Today we premiere Fielded‘s new video for “Chapel of Lies“, the second track off her excellent LP Ninety Thirty Thirty, out now on Captcha Records. Directed by Rya Kleinpeter, one half of the conceptual art duo Inner Course, as well as photographer Benjy Russell, the video stars Fielded’s Lindsay A. Powell, alongside her striking co-star Sparklez, in a gorgeously realized video that explores mysterious regions of feminine beauty and power using the kind of imagery that comes from the deep wells of the subconscious! Supported by generous donations from an Indiegogo campaign, the video was a truly collaborative process that brought together a creative and multidisciplinary bunch, and their attention to detail includes outstanding costuming by Rose Mackey, as well as choreography from Kristen Leahy. We asked Lindsay about the video’s production, and she provided some excellent insight into it’s creation, as well as this bit of sad news:
“‘Chapel of Lies’ is dedicated to Sterling Kinsey, Benjy’s late husband and the light of his Universe. We lost our dear friend this past week and his support of not only the project but of Benjy and his art was unmatched and deeply moving. He shall be greatly missed and remembered for his love and absolute beauty. Sterling, we love you – this video is for you…”
You can read more of Ms. Powell’s words after the video! Also, Fielded will play an upcoming show at Glasslands in Brooklyn on December 14th with Germans & Lips, so if you’re in the area be sure you don’t miss it!
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Lindsay A. Powell discusses her “Chapel of Lies” video:
“We had such an amazing crew that came together for the making of the ‘Chapel of Lies’ music video. It all started with the fervor of Benjy Russell and his ongoing desire to collaborate on a piece for Fielded. We met via tumblr a year and a half ago; he tagged Fielded in a post and I wrote him an e-mail telling him how much I love his photographs. We went on to become close friends and during a visit I made out to Tennessee we talked for the first time about actually finding the funds and the time to produce a music video for the first song on the album ‘Ninety Thirty Thirty’.
When the album finally came out, Benjy had invited a very special artist he often collaborates with, Rya Kleinpeter, to be a part of the process. I love her work so it was a no-brainer that I wanted her on board. We went from having no concept to having an indiegogo campaign within a month – so many amazing fans donated enough money for us to make the project happen. It was then that Rya and Benjy started storyboarding (I was along for the ride as their intentions were truly inspiring) and from there we gathered other Greats – Kristin Leahy, Sparklez, Glitter, Brooke Pfaff, Rose Mackey and all of Benjy’s wonderful and generous neighbors.
Rose Mackey and Rya Kleinpeter initially worked on the concept of the costumes together, buying fabric for the pieces that Sparklez wears and three of my outfits. I was in the background, making the alterations and working on the sheer two-piece – an outfit I sometimes wear live and one I felt matched the sort of purity of the beautiful, rural Tennessee woods where we shot the video in mid-July. I know Rose had wanted Sparklez to embody the essence of a Lady, a Judy Garland type, poised and elegant while still remaining sexy and at times girlish and shy. I was excited to wear whatever Rose was ready to make me; I’m a huge fan of pastels so she definitely took that into account and even did a dip-dyed piece that I wore during the scene where I’m hanging from the tree in japanese bondage. I like how the costumes kind of take the characters to another level. Both Sparklez and I were exploring the territory of femininity that we maybe don’t feel comfortable doing off camera or in our everyday. The performative woman, the dominant woman, the coy woman but also the compromising woman (since we are essentially two halves of a whole).
I think that planning a character and playing a character are so extremely far from one another; I definitely spent time on camera as this more fierce, more impulsive version of myself. Sparklez is as fierce as they come but seemed to show a more intimate side with an almost child-like presence. Benjy and Rya had talked a lot about exploring gender roles, life and death and the afterlife and there is this haunting relationship with reality and dissociation from the world that I think really draws the audience in past the song. Sparklez and I had never met before our 14 hour drive to Tennessee from Philadelphia so coming together in such an intimate way was truly incredible and intense. It felt so natural and I think we all found a place with each other that was deeply profound and intuitive for the 5 days we were shooting. Overall, the vision that Benjy and Rya executed along with the costumes of Rose and the choreography of Leahy made for an amazing and enlightening shoot. The video feels light and euphoric but doesn’t fear the darkness, either. Everyone’s contribution was so crucial and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of the experience.
Fielded is currently working on a new 5-song EP, as well as a music video for the first single off the upcoming record. We will keep you posted as soon as we know more!
