Jack Ladder has always put out videos focusing on himself, after all it is his project, but sometimes we forget that he has one of the best backing bands out there. The Dreamlanders feature the heroic Donny Benet on bass, Kirin J Callinan on guitar, Laurenz Pike on drums and Neal Sutherland on synth, and on Jack Ladder’s new video for To Keep & To Be Kept, they all feature in no frills, white backdrop, home video heaven.
“I’ve always wanted to make a video in a white space, the way they used to make them,” Ladder said of the video. “It’s a love song that doesn’t use the word love. It could be more about acceptance than love. It’s practical. Love demystified. It’s about partners in crime which is a concept that’s very romantic to me.”
The video, directed by Alex Smith (Coldplay, Peaches, Iggy Pop), was shot on an old VHS camera that was bought from a church. It features some brilliant choreography (I feel like Benet might have had something to do with those moves) and some classic smoldering close-ups of Jack Ladder as he croons through the track.
To Keep & To Be Kept features some pretty vocal work from Sharon Van Etten, who collaborated on a few tracks from Playmates. On teaming with Ladder on this song, Van Etten said, “I usually try to hang back because I aim to support people whenever I sing with someone, so I was cautious with the duet. I just leaned into him. It was really fun and an interesting challenge and his songs are killer. I feel lucky to have been a part of it.”
Ladder is set to head on tour with Florence & The Machine in November before he heads over to the US where Playmates recently got a release through legendary label Fat Possum. After they return, the band will play two special shows in Sydney and Melbourne. On January 8 they will perform as part of the’Friday Nights at NGV’ season of 18 shows at the National Gallery of Victoria. Then on January 16 they premiere ‘Dreamland’ at the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent as part of Sydney Festival. Where, for one night only, The Dreamlanders will share the spotlight, revealing the four-headed beast of their collective creative output.
Check out all of Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders’ forthcoming shows below:
FRI JAN 8 – National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne TICKETS
SAT JAN 16 – Dreamland at Magic Mirrors Spiegletent, Sydney Festival TICKETS
Also supporting Florence & the Machine this November:
SAT, 07 NOV, PERTH – Perth Arena BUY TICKETS
TUE, 10 NOV, MELBOURNE – Sidney Myer Music Bowl (SOLD OUT)
WED, 11 NOV, MELBOURNE – Sidney Myer Music Bowl BUY TICKETS
FRI, 13 NOV, SYDNEY – Sydney Opera House Forecourt (SOLD OUT)
SAT, 14 NOV, SYDNEY – Sydney Opera House Forecourt (SOLD OUT)
SUN, 15 NOV, SYDNEY – Sydney Opera House Forecourt (SOLD OUT)
TUE, 17 NOV, SYDNEY – Sydney Opera House Forecourt (SOLD OUT)
WED, 18 NOV, BRISBANE – Riverstage (SOLD OUT)
SAT, 21 NOV, AUCKLAND – Vector Arena BUY TICKETS
