Arcade Fire Discuss Spike Jonze Film

Exclusive: Canadian group speak to ClashMusic

Arcade Fire have spoken to ClashMusic about working with Spike Jonze on a short film.

Drawing on their collective adolescence, Arcade Fire’s third album ‘The Suburbs’ was one of their most complex. Emotionally, the album veered from euphoria to outright cynicism while the material contained some of their grandest arrangements yet.

Spike Jonze is a close friend, and when he heard the album the director was inspired to plan his own film. Suggesting the idea to Arcade Fire, the new projects became known as ‘Scenes From The Suburbs’.

First shown earlier this year, the short film features extensive input from the Canadian group and showcases the work of several completely unknown actors.

Speaking to ClashMusic, Will Butler reflected on the roots of the project. “Midway through making the Suburbs, we spent a month in New York recording. While we were there Spike came by just to hang out. We talked about working together, and played him some rough mixes.”

“We thought maybe we’d do a long-form video – something with ‘The Suburbs’ and ‘Ready to Start’ together or something like that. His initial idea was, “I dunno, I can really see kids riding around on BMX bikes, shooting BB guns, causing trouble.” And we knew we had a match made in heaven. Afterwards, it looked like he was gonna have more time in his schedule, and it looked like we might have time towards the end of the record, so we jumped on the chance to make something more in depth together.”

Choosing a completely unknown cast of non-actors Arcade Fire asked for people they could relate to. Will Butler explains that the bond between the acting troupe and the Canadian band ran deep.

“We picked kids we related to, and that had some sort of chemistry together. Sam (Kyle) and Paul (Winter) had become friends when Sam was the new kid in school So there was already this semi-old bond between them.”

‘Scenes From The Suburbs’ is due to be released on June 27th.

Photo credit: Anton Corbijn

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