KAZU, the iconic voice of the seminal band Blonde Redhead, releases her highly anticipated first solo album entitled Adult Baby. Today she also debuts the extraordinary music video for her latest single “Come Behind Me, So Good!” Directed by EvaMichon, the visual is yet another piece from the accompanying album-length narrative film Adult Baby, coming later this year.
Produced by Lief and featuring costumes by Isabel Marant, the upcoming40-minute album film is a folk tale shot on Elba Island, a tiny jewel in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Tuscany, which KAZU calls home.
Shot in a small church inCapoliveri, “Come Behind Me, So Good!” sees KAZUsinging and dancing toward the altar in her own unique way, casting a hypnotic spell with a strange allure. Set against the darkly atmospheric church, the barelegged KAZU wears a delicate sheer Isabel Marant shirt in stark white, floating against the backdrop like an ethereal apparition.
Michon enlisted locals from the village to play the characters praying in the church. Of the casting, Michon says, “They were all game, as we captured their close-ups, snapping, twitching and singing the a capella parts of KAZU's song, not knowing how we would use it.”
The resulting scene is humanly rhythmic, bizarre and beautiful – and all shot in under three hours. Michon explains: “There wasn't much time to achieve what we needed with the proper reverence and care — I am a Polish Catholic, after all. This was on day two out of three for a nonstop shoot, album-length film, and we were in and out of the church in one morning, then onto the next scene.”
“So we came very prepared, having scouted the church in the days leading up, including attending Sunday mass. It was chilly inside, filled with dewy air, and the sound was as gorgeous and reverb-y as you'd expect. KAZU's incredible orchestral music sounded amazing played within this context.”
Visual Album Film
In Kazu’s first solo album “Adult Baby” a distinct sample is used on the track “Name and Age” — the unmistakable cry of Godzilla. This was the spark of inspiration for filmmaker Eva Michon, who wrote a fictitious folklore-esque narrative to become a visual album film to accompany the vastly cinematic musical soundscape of iconic singer-songwriter Kazu.
The film takes place on the island of Elba, Italy, where in 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was banished into exile. Inspired by historical events and symbolism of the island, Michon treats each song as a chapter in a larger narrative, which will be approximately 40 minutes in length.
Costumes were provided by Kazu’s long time friend, French designer Isabel Marant, who jumped at the chance to support Kazu’s long-awaited solo project, on the heels of Blonde Redhead. The film is an ambitious co-production, produced by Liefand Ponderosa Music Records with support of Isabel Marant, Common Good, Merman, and Handsome.
Quotes
“From the waves of glossolalia that open “Come Behind Me, So Good!” to the textural trickle “Coyote”, it’s consistently charming.”Uncut
“Adult Baby turns and twists its minimalist electronic template in more wayward directions, as sci-fi sine-wave synths and soaring strings underpin her weightless coo. This sad skewed pop has shades of Momus, Sakamoto, L.Pierre and Bjork weaves its magic on the fluttering yet forthright Salty, vocal tapestry of Come Behind Me, So Good! and raw emoting of Meo…”. MOJO
«ce disque cathartique esquisse les contours d’une pop contemplative et avant-gardiste»
"This cathartic album outlines the contours of a contemplative and avant-garde pop" Les Irocks
“…full of earthy electronics and [KAZU’s] signature ethereal vocals.” – Brooklyn Vegan
About Lief
Founded by Margo Mars in 2017, Lief is a filmmaker-led production company dedicated to making high quality content and providing access to exceptional talents with an unmistakably individual style. Keen to continue strengthening its reputation for creating short-form content, Lief is bound to continue creating award-winning work, especially under Mars’ watchful and nurturing eye. As one of the most respected and well-known creative producers in the UK, she counts awards from Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clios, Ciclope, British Arrows, LIA, Campaign, MVA, VMA, Kinsale, SHOTS and Tribeca X under her belt.
Connect with Lief:
Instagram:@we.are.lief// Twitter: @we_are_lief// www.lief.london
Connect with Eva Michon:
Instagram: @eva_michon
