When roller-skating ghosts, a drunken king and an S&M ribbon dancer are featured in a music video, it's no surprise that Wayne Coyne (of The Flaming Lips) was involved.
Moby - The Perfect Life (with Wayne Coyne) from Moby on Vimeo.
Moby and Coyne joined forces for "The Perfect Life," which will appear on Moby's upcoming album "Innocents," due out Sept. 30. It is the second single off the album, and the process behind making the video was a bit bizarre.
Moby posted a casting call on his website which sought out extras for the music video that he and Coyne were planning to film in Los Angeles on Aug. 10. The request asks for:
a drunk king: guy with beard age 35-50
s&m gimp rhythmic gymnast: a rhythmic gymnast dressed in a leather s and m gimp costume complete with mask with a zipper mouth. someone who is good at the ribbon and stick thing. preferably a male if such a thing exists. if not a women or girl with a flat chest.
8 rollerskating ghosts: any gender. roller skaters not rollerbladers, ideally people who can roller dance and do a choreographed routine, perhaps a roller dance crew if such a thing exists. ideally people who also would be ok with taking off their costume and get naked but not obligatory rollerskating dance ability takes preference.
12 goth choir members: in their 20's mixed sex and ethnicity. don't have to be able to sing but need to lip synch and be able to move with a little [b]it of rhythm as the choir will move their hands in unison. they should be goth. ideally they are comfortable with nudity.
2 obese bearded bikers in red speedos: pretty self explanatory there. need to be able to ride a motorcycle, ideally they have their own.
20 random party goers who are comfortable with nudity: all ages. freaky fun, people who are cool with dancing and getting naked. existing costumes and skills a plus like hula hoopers, crunk dancers various random talents, jugglers etc, trick rope twirlers, stuff of that weird talent show speciality nature a plus. comfortable with nudity is the main requirement here.
a punk rock brass brand: maybe this pre- exist in la? like a steam punk anarchistic brass band?
Just so you knew he wasn't joking, he ended the statement saying, "p.s.-these are real requests." With that list of characters, people were expecting something a little crazy.
The video begins with shot of Moby holding an acoustic guitar and Coyne holding an accordion as they ascend an escalator. They are both dressed as mariachi players. Upbeat music plays in the background as they sing, "Oh, we close our eyes, the perfect life (life) is all we need." They alternate verses and sing the chorus together.
As they walk down the street, they encounter a drunken man, dressed as a king, get thrown out of a bar. The drunken king joins their procession down the streets of L.A. Next, a ribbon dancer dressed in a black leather s & m costume confronts them in an alley way. He, too, joins the eclectic procession.
The four men come across a group of roller-skating "ghosts" who skate around them in a circle and dance. The ghosts join in, and the group hops on an upward-bound trolley along with other interesting characters.
The crew makes its final stop on a rooftop party at sunset. The large, wacky assembly dances and sings around a maypole with rainbow-colored ribbons and umbrellas.
You really couldn't ask for a more feel-good video. It has Coyne's name written all over it and is reminiscent of The Flaming Lip's live performances, which are typically full of confetti, balloons and rainbows.
In the description section of the video, Moby explains how his collaboration with Coyne came about. He says, "Wayne and I first met in 1995, when The Flaming Lips and I were both opening up for a Red Hot Chili Peppers' European tour. We became friends, shared a dressing room and the same bad craft services, and watched the Chili Peppers from the side of the stage," Moby wrote. "I thought of Wayne for this song because The Flaming Lips have evolved in this very open, celebratory band when they play live, and that was the perfect vibe for what I was imagining for 'The Perfect Life.' I texted Wayne and said, 'Hey, I have a song — want to sing on it?' Thirty seconds later, he texted me back: 'Yes, send it to me, it will be great.'"
"The Perfect Life" will be part of the 12-track effort, "Innocents," which is the follow up to 2011's "Destroyed." It features other collaborators such as Mark Lanegan, Damien Jurado, Skylar Grey and Inyang Bassey and was co-produced by Mark "Spike" Stent (Björk, Massive Attack, Muse) in Moby's home studio. The album's first single, "A Case for Shame" was released two months ago.
According to Moby's announcement video, the tour for the album will consist of three shows near his home, "ideally within walking distance."
Let us know what you thought of the video in the comments section below!
