Recently I was able to connect with Aaron Louis, better known as the solo project called The Clamor, to discuss what went into the writing and recording process of the latest single, “Staircase Stomp.” The song navigates the recognition of a sense of emptiness and unmet desires in life, coupled with an internal rebellion and the quest for comfort and connection. The Clamor are onto something great here, and more music will be coming soon in the new year.
What inspired the concept behind the stop-motion video for “Staircase Stomp”? Was it influenced by the song itself or did the visuals evolve independently?
The concept for the video definitely came out of the song itself. The lyrics touch on themes of inner conflict and identity, so I wanted the visuals to reflect that tension in a surreal, symbolic way. The stop-motion approach gave us the perfect medium to explore those ideas because it’s tactile and slightly unsettling, which suits the mood of the song. From there, the idea of the cabin, the storm, and the male and female puppets as two parts of the same psyche grew pretty organically. It felt like a natural way to give the song a visual narrative without being too literal.
What story or messages did you choose to convey through the video? Are there any hidden meanings or symbols we should be looking out for?
The video is really about internal conflict and the struggle to reconcile different parts of yourself. The male and female puppets represent two sides of the same character, grappling with their identity and emotions. The lynch mob outside adds another layer, symbolizing external pressures or fears of judgment, but the real battle is happening inside the cabin. As for hidden symbols there are quite a lot of them but the use of the mob from the 1931 Frankenstein movie comes to mind. You can see that footage through the cabin window. We thought it connected the video’s story to a more timeless, archetypal struggle and the fear of confronting the parts of ourselves or others that we find monstrous. The animators deserve so much credit for weaving these elements together. The way Jody McKee crafted the puppets and their subtle movements, her use of the legendary Victorian stage trick called “pepper’s ghost” on the female puppet, and how Scotty Hull added depth with his storm and mob animations, makes every frame perhaps richer in meaning than I had even intended.
After “Staircase Stomp,” what’s next for The Clamor? Are there any exciting collaborations or projects you’re currently working on that we can look forward to?
There’s always something in the works! Now that the video is done, I’m focusing on recording some new singles for a Spring release. I’ve been experimenting with different sounds, and it feels like the right time to push things in new directions. Beyond that, I’ve got ideas for more videos. This one has really opened my eyes to what’s possible creatively.