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Video: Danger Mouse, Jack White: “Two Against One”

Last May, Danger Mouse, Daniele Luppi, and director Chris Milk released the first official video from their spaghetti western-inspired collaborative LP, Rome. While that clip — depicting the “lucid dream of the protagonist” on the Norah Jones-led “Black” — broke new ground by offering an interactive web experience in lieu of a traditional format, their latest treatment invokes the iconic animation of Pink Floyd’s legendary The Wall film and concept album. In fact, as NPR points out, this “Two Against One” video is a kind of preview for a forthcoming full-length, live-action film based on the LP in the works.

“The music video is essentially the fever dream of the antagonist of the story,” said Milk. “It’s mostly his backstory, his life before the tale we see in the movie.”

Danger Mouse, aka Brian Burton, elaborated on the concept record’s need for visual context: “Rome as a whole is a piece of music with such a specific identity and history that it was crucial for all the accompanying visuals to reflect that.”

Without further ado, enjoy our favorite track from this set, featuring lead vocals/lyrics by Jack White and animation/illustrations by Anthony Francis Sheppard, above.

Michael Kiwanuka Leads BBC’s ‘Sound of 2012’ List

Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since this gem was unearthed, but here we are, three stunning EPs, video proof of live prowess galore, and now the top prize on the BBC’s Sound of 2012 list just 9 months later. Michael Kiwanuka was indeed one to watch in 2011, but we — along with a host of new fans — will continue to keep our eyes and ears on one of London’s most promising voices going forward.

“I never expected to be recognised in this way,” Kiwanuka said after the announcement, humbly taken aback by his topping the likes of Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and Jay-Z on the UK taste-maker poll. “It’s a great surprise and it means a lot that people are accepting the music they’ve heard so far, and it will bring the music to many more people, which for any musician is a great privilege.”

Of all the instantly timeless Kiwanuka jams we’ve been raving about, our go-to when first introducing his range, charisma, and originality remains that first cut, “Tell Me A Tale.” With the year he’s been having so far, it’s looking like Michael’s tale of musical success will be the one we’ll be telling for a long time. If you haven’t heard him yet, dive in with the cut below or at the links above.

Wilco, Mavis Staples, Nick Lowe Perform “The Weight” + More News

A handful of noteworthy Wilco bits have crossed our radar today, so let’s round ’em up. First off, given that there’s no denying the fine musical chemistry between Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples on her excellent 2010 solo LP, You Are Not Alone, we’re thrilled to hear the pair are plotting to team up again for a follow-up. “Tweedy and I just talked about [doing a second album],” Staples told London Free Press this week. “We actually thought we were going to get started before Christmas, only Wilco were still promoting their CD. But he said, ‘Mavis, right after the holidays, we’ve got to order some barbecue and talk about what we’re going to do next.’ I haven’t heard any songs yet, but it’s on the books. So I’m looking forward to that.”

And if that doesn’t have you psyched for what’s to come from the Wilco frontman and the living legend, then this recent video of Staples leading Wilco and Nick Lowe through a rehearsal of the Band’s “The Weight,” backstage at Chicago’s Civic Opera House, should offer a friendly reminder that they’re just getting started:

Last but not least, Tweedy’s son Spencer shared a video interpretation of the title track off his dad’s latest Wilco record, The Whole Love. Watch the clip, which co-stars his brother/fellow Raccoonist and fashion blogging prodigy Tavi Gevinson, below:

Now if that doesn’t make you want to be a kid again, I don’t know what will.