Video Premiere: Eugene Quell ‘Alta Loma’
Eugene Quell has been lurking, mysteriously, in the background for a while. Ask around, he’s a proper enigma. Mystery or no mystery his grungey pop and lo-fi videos have been a staple around these parts for some time now.
We’ve featured him in our new music section and he’ll playing at our festival, Simple Things, this year too! Just incase we’re not getting the point across (we dig him) we’re premiering his latest video. We caught up with Eugene (if that is his real name) to ask a few questions about the clip and then confuse him with some nonsense. Share in our fascination and marvel in wonder at one of the best songwriters the UK has spluttered out in quite some time. OK, just watch the facking video and find out for yourself.
What are some of your favourite music videos and why?
The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother. Whats there not to like?
The Strokes – Last Night. Pretty punk move for a pop band…The audio is all live, when the drum mic’s get kicked over, you can’t hear the cymbals anymore.
Azealia Banks – 212. Blinder.
John Frusciante – Going Inside – Perfect video. Selfish and expressive.
Who filmed the clip for Alta Loma and what did they use?
A friend called Dan from Galapagos Productions. It was all un planned, we were just having a dance, but Oli, as you can see, is quite the dancer, so Dan couldn’t help but try out his new slow motion mode on his phone. Don’t know what kind of phone it is.
Who are all those dudes in the video? They seem to be having a pretty good time…
A bunch of friends and the Mrs. Yeah, we have been going back to Reidy’s house for party times for years. What a dude. He has hosted many a fine evening .
I remember playing a similar game with a lightbulb at a party once. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever witnessed at house party?
Couldn’t say. Although some friends and I recently ended up at a party in London and it took us at least an hour to realise that the reason everyone there was being so hostile towards us is because we were meant to be at another party in a flat down the hall.
The video is grainy, a bit like the ones my dad used to make when we went on holiday or to the park or even Safeway. Do you have any home videos from childhood?
Yeah, its all just shot on phones and that. I’m sure my folks back home have got some videos.
If so, what are the highlights?
Couldn’t tell you to be honest.
Does it make you sad that Alta Loma will probably never be on MTV unless they use it for a Eugene Quell Cribs episode?
Na. Getting videos on tele is a total ballache, and I am just not fussed for it. Making videos is really fun and a good chance to try out ideas and build on something. Besides, most of the people I know don’t watch much TV, so fuck it.
Failing that, would you ever consider doing a reality show like The Kardashians, call it Keeping Up With The Quell or something?
I wouldn’t have thought so…
Do you think it’s important to make videos as artistic expression or is it all just a calculated scam to make us spend our money and ultimately steal our girlfriends?
Depends what you want out of it all, really. For me, I kinda wanna make sorta ‘fuck off’ videos, you know? But also, my songs are always on the verge of being greasy, sickly pop songs. I need to accentuate as much middle finger as possible. Salvation lies within the ugly.
Finally, seriously, can we expect an album any time soon or will you just be teasing us with four track EPs for the rest of our lives?
Totally. On it.
Thanks Eugene, we’ll see you at Simple Things!
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Eugene Quell plays Simple Things Festival 25 October.
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