Fashion model Karen Elson is making her foray into the music business with her new album The Ghost Who Walks. She recently released the album's first music video, for the track "The Truth is in the Dirt on the Ground." The video is chock-full of Pre-Raphaelite references. There are numerous allusions to Pre-Raphaelite paintings here - I was particularly reminded of Waterhouse's Ophelia (because of the Queen Anne's Lace) and his Lady of Shalott (of course, parts of it are also quite reminiscent of Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights"). With her vibrant scarlett locks, Elson has long been described as a Pre-Raphaelite beauty - I'm glad to see that she's embracing the label in her new music video!
Apparently, the song was inspired by an obituary for Eartha Kitt. I did a little digging around, and it looks like Elson was referring to a quote from the New York Times obituary for Kitt: "I'm a dirt person...I trust the dirt. I don't trust diamonds and gold."
The song is quite catchy, and the sound, which her husband, Jack White of the White Stripes, describes as "folk country gothic" is very appealing. I've been humming it ever since I saw the video this morning.
The song is quite catchy, and the sound, which her husband, Jack White of the White Stripes, describes as "folk country gothic" is very appealing. I've been humming it ever since I saw the video this morning.
A special thanks to Grace from The Beautiful Necessity for posting the video on her blog!
9 comments:
I love it! So stylish. It also reminds me the video for "Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush. I wonder if she was inspired by the PRBs too?
Like it. Another good choice.
Nice post Margaret!
I thought that name sounded familiar. I'm a huge White Stripes fan but have been out of the loop a bit so totally missed this!
For those that haven't seen it, the other notable PRB inspired music video that I love is Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's 'Where The Wild Roses Grow' - the most obvious PRB references to my eye are Ophelia and Hylas and The Nymphs
You can see it here:
Where The Wild Roses Grow
I remember there was a short film made recreating Waterhouse's Lady of Shalott but I've never seen the actual film - if anyone has a link - I'd love to see it!
Kind Regards
H Niyazi
threepipeproblem.blogspot.com
I enjoyed that little escape into a Gothic world. very fitting for the season!
Thanks for all the comments! My husband wasn't sure if readers would connect with the video (he thinks it's really weird!)
@heidenkind - I'm pretty sure Kate Bush was channeling the PRB, but we can be sure the song was directly inspired by Gothic literature, so, either way, it's pretty close to being Pre-Raphaelite!
@Hermes - Thanks!
@ H Niyazi - Your right, that is certainly another PRB-inspired video. My husband's a Kylie fan, so I'll have to see if he likes it better than the Karen Elson video!
@Margaret - I only have one rule in blogging - If something interests *you* then post about it and share your fascination in a way that can engage others!
Once we try and second guess what our readers may or may not like, you lose something of the expression of yourself.
I'm glad you posted this vid :)
H
This is truly lovely!
@H Niyazi - Thanks for the vote of confidence. You're absolutely right, second-guessing oneself can really hamper one's creativity!
@Medieval Muse - I thought so too! Have a great weekend!
Oooh. Love this.
Very Kate Bush.
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