The Stanfields are boldly going where The Stanfields have never gone before. Their latest video, “Laser Beam” has them exploring a strange new world, and seeking out new mediums for storytelling as the band delve into this short-form installment of science fiction.
Starring Holly Stevens and directed by Dillon Garland, the video for “Laser Beam” contains approximately zero Stanfields, but rather a heavy dose of allegory – arguably, as all the best sci-fi should.
With Stevens in the role of Dr. Lilah Pierce, she returns to Earth from a prolonged solo journey with a message of hope for her home planet, only to discover she has no home to return to. At its core is a reminder that all of us are hurtling through space on a piece of rock without a backup plan, and that just maybe we should be more mindful of that.
“The idea for the ‘Laser Beam’ video was hatched during a conversation Murph, Dillan Tate and myself had while driving overnight to Cleveland last summer,” say The Stanfields’ frontman Jon Landry. “Initially we were toying with a ‘day in the life of a trucker’ type thing, but before long, it became clear that the song’s spacey vibe demanded nothing less than a video treatment that was more visually true to form.
“Fast forward a few months and I’m building a space ship interior with our long time collaborator, director and true sci-fi nerd Dillon Garland while debating the finer points of cosmo-dynamic design.”
Landry says he and Garland hashed out their favourite sci-fiction franchises, Star Trek and Star Wars respectively, before settling on a neutral 2001: A Space Odyssey for their inspiration. The set construction itself took four days, followed by a day-long shoot and countless hours of post-production.
“It was big undertaking,” says Landry. “I’m telling you – this was one of weirdest and most rewarding projects I’ve taken part in in some time.”
The song is the second single to be released from The Stanfields upcoming album, Classic Fadeout. The album is expected to be released January 24, 2020.
Show Dates:
02.08.20 – Halifax, NS @ The Marquee Ballroom