Experiencing Interruptions?

Thee Conductor "Tsk, tsk" w/ Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

“Tsk Tsk” should be quite familiar to fans of Thee Conductor or Bonnie Prince Billy. The ever-constant finger-picked guitar is the main accompaniment, providing a stark stage for Oldham’s rich vocal talents and solipsistic musings. Touches of strings and a distorted soundscape color the song, but never distract from the centrality of the lyrics. The track poetically reflects on self-destructive habits and points to the healing power of simple encouragement. Oldham sings, “Fruitful engagement and a loving hand/A patient voice that’s real, with sincere intent/Reassemble this man.” It’s a powerful sentiment, delivered with a sanguine sense of hope.

The accompanying video from animator Mark Pearsall is delivered through paper drawings, thoughtfully depicting the sort of restless, self-medicated nights the song reflects on.

- 12/9/2020, Under The Radar Magazine, Caleb Campbell

  • Mark Pearsall
    Director
  • Jason Butler
    Director
  • Jason Butler
    Producer
  • Jason Butler
    Writer
  • Mark Pearsall
    Writer
  • Cody Ground
    Writer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Music Video
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 12, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mark Pearsall, Jason Butler

Mark Pearsall, born Downers Grover 1977. AA College of Dupage, BFA in Graphic Design, University of Illinois School of Art & Design, MFA in Transdisciplinary Design, California College of the Arts. Mark currently runs Design Hut in Phoenix Arizona, a Post-Modern experiment of Graphic Design as Situationist Theater, Mid-90s Kinko’s Desktop Publishing, and Strategic Innovation for Start-ups.

Early subcultural contributions include the Ghost Dance x2 7” compilation featuring Indian Summer, Cap’n Jazz, and Braid. Pearsall put together the collection of bands, assembled the records and created the lino-block print for the cover, — this was recently included in the Numero rerelease of the Indian Summer discography. Also known for Man with Gun Cult & Record Label which put out records by Calm, Tetsuo, Cap’n Jazz, and Avenue Vendome.

Tsk, Tsk was a result of a kindled friendship between Butler and Pearsall. Butler saw a recent cut paper drawing Pearsall created for Graham Smith’s 20th Anniversary rerelease of his Kleenex Girl Wonder LP Pony Oak Express. Without knowing or caring if it was even possible, Butler asked Pearsall if he could animate a storied version of Tsk, Tsk, and also without knowing or caring if it was even possible Pearsall answered with a ‘for sure’.

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