Tim Pope is directing a video for a brand new monitor by Tim Burgess
The new video marks the first time the two Tims have worked together after teaming up on one of Burgess' favorite Twitter listening parties this summer, where Pope went through some of his videos for artists like David Bowie, The The, Iggy Pop and of course the longtime collaborator The Cure.
Not only did Burgess keep the nation going with listening parties, but they also released the new album I Love The New Sky. The Ascent of the Ascended will be released on a follow-up EP in November.
In the following, Burgess and Pope talk about the creation of the video in which Burgess flies a glider in full angel regalia, and also reflect on the current state of music videos and the music industry.
Creative Review: How did the video come about? Have you ever worked on videos together?
Tim Pope: No, I've never worked with Tim, although of course I knew the Charlatans. My dear friend Matt Johnson from The The did some of Tim's great listening parties and I think my name must have come up in the conversation because of course I did a lot of The The videos from 1986 onwards to showcase them. Tim also invited me to a listening party – well, a watching party when we were putting together ten of my videos of Bowie, Iggy, Neil Young, and The Cure – and people could click a link at the appointed time like me commenting on Twitter. Anyway, I tweeted that I would help Tim with a video if he was producing my boy's band, Opus Kink. Tim took the boys to Rockfield Studios in Wales and I made his video.
Tim Burgess: It all started in 1982 when I saw the first of many Tim Pope videos – at first I didn't know there was a connection between those amazing commercials for Soft Cell and The Cure – that I had already planned as Pop star and when I found out it was another Tim who made her, I knew fate would bring us together. Fast forward 38 years to a Twitter listening party I was hosting with Tim Pope's great friend and collaborator on many videos, Matt Johnson – a conversation broke out and the idea came up in the chat that we should work together.
Above and above: Tim Burgess on the set for the video. Photos: Richard Lynch
CR: How did you come up with the idea for the video? Did you work on it together
Pope: It was one of the easiest exchanges of all time that came about through two texts. I think I mentioned the idea of someone walking on a chalky trail and ever crawling up – a bit like a John Bunyan's pilgrimage. Tim Burgess came up with the angel who was the genius, especially since I think he makes such a good one. I don't think I've ever worked with text before, but social distancing and everything we asked for.
Burgess: The song we decided on was The Ascent of the Ascended – after one listen, Tim came back with some ideas and they blew me away. It's the best experience I've had creating a video in the last 30 years. Tim has limitless ideas and energy and is so good to spend time with.
CR: Where is it shot? What were the challenges? And does Tim really fly the glider?
Pope: We were shooting at a place called Firle, which is part of the beautiful South Downs Way and runs from Winchester to Eastbourne. I can actually see part of the hill this trail leads from my West Sussex home. The main problem was really the weather as I wanted to tell the story of an angel who went home and ended up flying like Icarus in the sun. We really needed the sun and had to postpone filming two or three times, but the weather was still unpredictable – it's the UK, after all.
On the set. Photo: Victoria Scarborough
The beginning of our day was pretty cloudy, and basically I was shooting for the finished film. When we got to the top of the hill, the sun was breaking out of the clouds. I love the final shot of the microlight flying into the sun with the angel, and while this looks like CG, it's absolutely real. I remember the pilot's voice crackling on the radio and saying, "I can see how everything is damned." However, he survived.
Burgess: Yes, I fly the glider – I had to convince a bit, but not too much, and there was a co-pilot (i.e. the real pilot who made me fly a little), but I also had to sing, which was a little difficult. I just learned to play the guitar and sing, but flying and singing is more difficult.
CR: Tim looks great as an angel – how did you come up with the look? Is it based on certain angels?
Pope: The costume designer we worked with, Sarah Walpole, did an excellent job with the wings and costume. She worked with such amazing details and literally hand sewed every feather on. I always enjoy working with people who do as much as I do, and I expect the best knowing that my artists have put their full trust in me and that's why I have to deliver.
Burgess: I'm not sure if I'm based on anyone, but thanks for saying I look good – I felt good. I channeled Gabriel and Michael Landon on the Highway to Heaven, it was the most virtuous I have ever felt – it was definitely a modern angel, the footwear reveals that side of things.
Photo: Tim Pope
CR: The Twitter Listening Parties were a lifeline for musicians and fans during the pandemic. What were some of your favorite moments from them? What are your plans for her? And what was it like to take part in one, Tim P?
Burgess: That's very kind of you. The listening parties were a lifeline for me too. There were so many amazing moments – Gary Kemp tweeted about True's songwriting in the bedroom he shared with Martin and they were planning to become pop stars. Mansun revealed that John unknowingly helped Motson write their biggest hit, Alex Kapranos said he hadn't heard their debut album since it was mastered. Run the Jewels answers and agrees to host one. Shirley Collins says yes. It was a great trip. The plans are to keep it going – many festivals have asked us to do a live version in case we ever go to festivals again. A couple of book publishers got in touch, so maybe something there. We'll just keep going – listening party number 500 will be on October 25th and hosted by Nick Mason.
Pope: I'm used to doing interviews for television, but the feeling of having a listening party is weird – not like anything I've experienced before. I went to my lovely garden and sat on my bench and started tweeting with a smoky whiskey. I had no idea if anyone was watching or listening until my cell phone started pinging like crazy on Twitter, literally every second for an hour and beyond. I enjoyed the experience so much that I'm doing my second next Saturday at 9pm UK time. I think the brilliant and simple idea is that it connects people at a time when they really need to feel that.
Photo: Victoria Scarborough
CR: What do you think of music videos today, Tim P – do they still have the power that you once saw them have?
Pope: Hmm, should I be honest? I hardly ever watch music videos anymore as they generally don't really interest me. You see one or the other and you think to yourself, “Oh, that was pretty good.” I love making videos and think I have a special relationship with music, and I especially like my connections with my artists, theirs some, like The Cure, I've been working with for 40 years. I often describe myself as a bespoke tailor because that's what I do – I build things that are perfect for people. I will forever be grateful to the form of music videos as I have been able to create things for large parts of my life that I really enjoy, and hopefully others too. For me it's now feature films – and I'm currently casting a film that I wrote called Drone. I also plan to work with Tim B on longer form projects, but that's a little secret. Oops.
CR: Tim B, do you think the government and the music industry are doing enough right now to support musicians – if not, what would you like to see from them?
Burgess: There has just been a round of funding so many venues have a lifeline. The situation is constantly changing. As the people appear to have been left in the cold, a lifeline is announced. What is certain is that live music and events will be the last industries to return to their original state. In some cases, this may still be a long way off. The "retrain" thing sounded dull and then somehow got rejected, but it's hard to see how musicians can go on when there isn't someone to perform in front of. From live aid to charity records and benefit shows, musicians often helped. Now they are the needy.
CR: Are you optimistic about the future of the music industry?
Burgess: We have to be. There is always hope. We started Gorilla TV to help bands find an audience and work with freelancers who had no jobs. We sold enamel badges and got close to £ 30,000. Enough for a few shows. It came out of necessity, but it has turned into something amazing. Streaming services have to try to create a future – they contain many maps. Without new bands your well will run dry. Maybe they could improve. It's hard to know what the future holds, but musicians are creative and resilient people – we'll do anything not to get a real job.
Tim Burgess and Tim Pope on the set. Photo: Richard Lynch
@ TimBurgess; timpope.tv