The first time I ever saw Unknown Mortal Orchestra, they played in near total darkness, save for a tiny red light attached to Ruban Nielson's mic stand. While it was damn frustrating as a photographer, I’ve now come to respect Nielson’s ideology. For the Portland resident, the image is not an integral part of UMO’s music. Naturally, for a band with an offbeat music and notions, puppets would be employed to illustrate the societal deviance and its alienating effects for “Swim and Sleep (Like A Shark)” from their latest LP, II. Objects associated with childish innocence to communicate mature themes - in one sense, we are all puppets in some way or another.
The video looks like it may have been produced in Nielson’s native country of New Zealand, hinted by“NZ On Air” (a government broadcast funding agency) logo towards the end.
SXSW DATES
03/13 – 5:30pm – Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop – KEXP Showcase
03/13 – 11pm – Scoot Inn – Life or Death PR Showcase
03/14 – 3:45pm – 1100 Warehouse – Pitchfork Unofficial Day Party
03/14 – 1am – Red 7 – Jagjaguwar Label Showcase
03/15 – 1:50pm – Stubbs BBQ – SPIN Media Official Party
03/16 – 5pm – Old Emos – Brooklyn Vegan
03/13 – 5:30pm – Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop – KEXP Showcase
03/13 – 11pm – Scoot Inn – Life or Death PR Showcase
03/14 – 3:45pm – 1100 Warehouse – Pitchfork Unofficial Day Party
03/14 – 1am – Red 7 – Jagjaguwar Label Showcase
03/15 – 1:50pm – Stubbs BBQ – SPIN Media Official Party
03/16 – 5pm – Old Emos – Brooklyn Vegan