Press release from Aardman Animations:
London -- Aardman director Bram Ttwheam has teamed up with artist Tristan Stevens to create the much-anticipated video release for the Nordic Giants‘ debut single, “Shine,” featuring the vocals and lyrics of Cate Ferris.
Post-rock duo Nordic Giants smashed onto the scene little over a year ago. Influenced by the likes of Massive Attack and Cinematic Orchestra, the band have already shared the stage with Ratatat, Mogwai and headlined the world premiere of “The Blot Symphony,” a visual art piece by Ralph Steadman.
Hidden behind feathered masks and effortlessly changing between instruments, the Nordic Giants perform live original soundtracks to a backdrop of award winning short films. From dreamy ambient swells, epic builds and huge moments of power to a combination of dark, funny and beautiful short films, which can bring tears, smiles and actually scare you at times.
The debut video is a fully animated tour de force made and directed by Bram Ttwheam, with the kind use of artwork by Tristan Stevens. Nordic Giants discovered Tristan Stevens, a Somerset-based artist, at his exhibition and were very quick to build a collaborative relationship with him.
“Tristan’s work feels like a complete world, it is dense and ethereal at the same time, and the creatures who populate this world have a poignancy and depth that really intrigues,” said Nordic Giants.
Ttwheam says of working with Nordic Giants, “The emotional depth of Cate Ferris’ words charged with the power of the Nordic Giants musical interpretation immediately inspired the storyteller in me. This video may tell a simple story but it doesn’t shy away from packing an emotional punch.”
Made to celebrate the launch of Nordic Giants’ first single, the official launch of the video will take place at Hoxton Hall, London on May 31st. Nordic Giants will curate a night of art, film, music and performance with chosen collaborators including internationally acclaimed artist Chris Bucklow, photographer and collector Martin Wade, costume designer Lizzie George, artist Tristan Stevens, and a selection of films from Shorts TV and Smith and Foulkes of Nexus, among others.