FEATURE:
An Alternative Take
IN THIS PHOTO: boygenius (Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers)/PHOTO CREDIT: Harrison Whitford
Could Kristen Stewart Directing boygenius Videos Lead to More Actors Directing Artists?
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ALTHOUGH it has happened in the past…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kristen Stewart/PHOTO CREDIT: Arturo Holmes
I am fascinated by famous actors directing music videos. Plenty have appeared in videos before, but the idea of them stepping behind the camera is really intriguing. I will round off with a few thoughts about whether we will see more of this in 2023. The excellent boygenius (Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker) released a few new tracks recently - $20, Emily I’m Sorry and True Blue are part of the upcoming album, The Record. The hugely celebrated and extraordinary Kristen Stewart (Twilight, Spencer) is directing a few boygenius videos. There is no word which videos she’ll direct, but it will be fascinated they are the three songs dropped from the album. Maybe they will be new singles. I suspect that she will direct at least one or two of the videos from the trio that are already out. Variety provided more details:
“One week ago, Boygenius — the indie-rock “supergroup” consisting of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker — announced the impending arrival of their highly-anticipated debut full-length, “The Record,” set for release on Interscope Records March 31.
With no advance warning, last week a three-song teaser dropped, along with the reveal of the album’s 12-song tracklist in a Rolling Stone article that is shaping up to be the gift that keeps on giving. On Thursday, the publication released a string of outtakes from their conversations with the band, including the revelation that Kristen Stewart has been tapped to direct at least three of their upcoming music videos.
No further details were provided, and the status of the group’s friendship with Stewart is not well-known, however, Bridgers once famously tweeted, “I like to release music on sacred days such as Kristen Stewart’s birthday.” That same day, Bridgers released “Kyoto,” the hit single from her 2020 record of the same name.
Along with the directorial reveal, the band also said revealed who they would like to have as their fourth member, listing Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker and Mitski. “Those two writers keep me up at night about what is good and right in the world and art,” said Bridgers.
They also shared that it was Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis who was the first to suggest that the three get together and play in 2018. “Out of all people, he probably said it first and was the least annoying,” Dacus said. “It was coming from a music perspective, and not a marketing perspective.”
Although Boygenius is scheduled to play Coachella on April 15 and 22, no additional live dates have been announced likely due to Bridgers’ opening stint between May 5-28 for Taylor Swift’s massive “Eras” stadium tour”.
I don’t think music video directors get enough credit. You think about music award ceremonies, and there is not a lot of focus on those who directed the videos. I think we take for granted the great videos that support these amazing songs. There are so many inventive and interesting ones released each year, it would be nice for directors to get kudos and more exposure. I am not sure whether there will be a lot more association between Kristen Stewart and boygenius, but I do hope that we see more big actors directing artists. The potential pairings are tantalising. So many actors discuss their love of music, but how many cross from acting to music? Florence Pugh has an album coming later in the year, but seeing a music video directed by her would be great. Olivia Wilde, Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell…the list could go on and on! It is not only a good grounding and experience for actors who want to direct films. It also brings artists and bands’ music to a wider audience (through asociation). Maybe boygenius’ music could feature in an upcoming film. I have often felt that artists like Phoebe Bridgers would be great actors. Similarly, other artists might want to collaborate with Kristen Stewart when it comes to a video – or have her appear in a video for one of their songs. I do think that Stewart will direct a lot more, but I feel music and acting and natural bedfellows. Plenty of actors record their own albums, and many musicians act on the big and small screen. There has been less coverage and crossover when it comes to the directing side of things.
Whether directing an alterative group or a decades-running legend, I don’t think it is just fashionable or ‘cool’ to have an actor helm your video. It is clear that actors can bring something really special to a music video. The experience they have of being directed and appearing in various productions can be a real bonus. I am looking forward to seeing what comes about from the Stewart-boygenius partnership. Throughout this year, let’s hope we get more news of this sort. Everyone has their dreams about artists they’d like to see hook up with actors (to direct). There are so many possibilities to consider. Usually, I would have let a story like the one we have – Kristen Stewart and boygenius working together – slide and not consider it further. The reason I wanted to expand on it is because of the fact the great boygenius are back. It is brilliant to have this amazing trio putting more of their distinct music into the world! Having the wonderful Krsietn Stewart on board for some videos will be insane. Maybe she will appear in one or two. Whilst not a phenomenon yet, maybe a few more actors stepping behind the camera to direct music videos will create something large and ongoing. Many will be waiting for interest to see what Kristen Stewart offers boygenius with her..
DISTINCT takes.