Bell X1 have a new single & video ‘The Lobster’ out now.
The video directed by Allyn Quigley features Irish Actors Liz Fitzgibbon and Kieran Roche and, like the track, takes its cues from Jean Paul Sartre’s infamously bad mescaline trip in the 1930’s. The video was filmed on Dublin’s Waterloo Road.
Paul Noonan explains further: “The song is I suppose a plea for comeuppance for the assholic behaviour of our current crop of political “strongmen”, and their appeal to the worst in us humans – that they may be tormented by their dick-swinging deeds. The reference to Sartre and his bad flashbacks is maybe unfair – I don’t think he was a dick, the poor unfortunate. But it did give us the chance to make a Lobster suit…”.
Director Allyn Quigley adds “I’ve always been a huge Bell X1 fan so I was delighted when they asked me to come up with a video for one of their new tracks. Paul’s lyrics always have a playfulness and singularity to them that jumps right out at you and this track was no different. I knew straight away we needed a video with a strong sense of humour to match the frenetic energy and tongue-in-cheek feel of the song.
We spoke about Jean-Paul Sarte, lobsters, populist strongmen and reaping what you sow. What resulted was this – a bizarre, post-date marshmallow test scenario that allowed us to play with the surreal nature of the lyrics in a really fun and farcical way.
For casting I had recently worked with Kieran Roche and Liz Fitzgibbon so knew they had amazing comedic chemistry. After we had all agreed on the concept they were the first people I called so I was delighted they both said yes“.
The Lobster is the third single from Bell X1’s recently released 8th studio album, Merciful Hour. The ten-track album was recorded in Dublin with producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy and the band collaborated once again with Dowry Strings.
After a summer run of shows including sold-out shows in the Marquee Cork, King John’s Castle Limerick, Iveagh Gardens and more, Bell X1 also gave a special performance at Áras an Uachtarain in June for President Michael D Higgins and invited guests. They finished up their summer tour last week.
Some Reviews:
“Irish Indie stalwarts make a most welcome return…so it goes from musicians who have never had the urge to stand still yet remain a regular and considerable constant”. The Irish Times
“On Merciful Hour, they have struck a delicate balance between emotion and sophistication…. Bell X1 have matured into a very, very good band –and one that’s certainly not to be underestimated” The Irish Independent
“…it’s been so worth the wait” 9/10 Hot Press
Album of the Week – RTE Radio 1
“Merciful Hour sounds gorgeous with synths constantly vying for supremacy over strings and when the band and producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy get the balance right, the results are lush”. Totally Dublin
(Artwork by Craig Carry)
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Bell X1: Paul Noonan, Dave Geraghty & Dominic Phillips
