Fab Moretti’s Machinegum Crowdsourcing “Kubes” Video, Call for Submissions
How would you like to appear in a music video for Fab Moretti’s new project machinegum? The Strokes drummer’s band is crowdsourcing their first official video for “Kubes,” the lead track off their debut LP Conduit. Fans are invited to record themselves doing everyday actions. They will then use the entries to cut together a video in keeping with the band’s central concept of community. Read on for more details.
Machinegum is an artist’s collective that draws inspiration from the involvement of the audience. In a recent interview with Consequence of Sound, Moretti explained that the idea from the project comes from the concept of “if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?” His interest is to create art that needs both the musician and the viewer to work.
Following the release of Conduit in December, Moretti worked with architect Joseph Vescio on a launch event that would feature a live performance by the band. The duo installed pink gumball machines around New York City that dispensed pink quarters that granted admission to the art exhibit/performance. Those who attended the event that took place on January 28, 2020 at Fig. 19, had to surrender their cellphones upon entry. After the performance, the band invited audience members to exchange personal items for cassette tapes. To read more about what went down, go here.
Besides Moretti, machinegum’s members include Ian Devaney (Nation of Language), Delicate Steve, Chris Egan (Solange Knowles, Blood Orange), Martin Bonventre (RATATAT, Adam Green), and Erin Victoria Axtell.
As for the band’s crowd-sourced video, those interested can sign up here. The band will then send you a list of instructions to follow and record on your phone cameras. The list includes everyday actions like waking up, brushing your teeth, doing push-ups, and laughing. From the submissions, they will craft a video for “Kubes.” There’s no guarantee you’ll make the final cut, but it’s still worth a try. Moretti is collaborating with Justin Bartha (The Good Fight, The Hangover) on the project.
Conduit is out now digitally and will be available on vinyl via Frenchkiss Records on May 29, 2020. You can pre-order the vinyl here.
UPDATE 5/19: machinegum shared the “Kubes” video. Watch it here.
