I recently worked on a project with a very unique aesthetic and a very different process than I’m used to. It was for the LA-based band Sacred Cowboys and I was approached by lead guitarist Peter Spirer. Peter is an old friend of mine and we’ve been working on a documentary about the rock and roll billboards of the Sunset Strip. The lead singer and chief songwriter is W. Earl Brown, who played enforcer and bodyguard Dan Dority on “Deadwood,” and is a guest star on the current hit “Mandalorian.”
The band had shot a video for a single they wanted to drop, and wondered if I could come up with cover art — NOT a video still or pull — that reflected the video. Here’s the video:
Peter sent the image below as a guide and I’ll admit upon first sight, I was unsure as to how to proceed. I was wary it might be outside my comfort zone. I turned to Peter for more insight. What was the song about? “It’s a whimsical look at life, let it be and let it go. Don’t get too hung up and stressed out,” Spirer told me. Now it sounded fun!
What about the video? “Singer W. Earl Brown came up with the idea of doing the song in one take, which it was,” Peter informed me. “We rehearsed the blocking a number of times and once we got it down I thought we had a video. Once I got it into the editing room, I realized it needed something more. The song has a whimsical feel and it’s about letting go. When one is able to let go, the mind opens up to imagination and a connection with nature. I wanted to give the song that kind of wonderment.” Cool! I can do fun, I thought.
There was a hitch, in that there was a specific release day that they wanted the video and song to drop; Inauguration Day. Was this political? “This song is not political though the timing of its release might be considered so. “It’s A Beautiful Day” promotes peace, love, gratitude and unity. Who isn’t depressed these days?” Spirer continued. “We felt with Covid and all the political unrest that releasing "It’s A Beautiful Day" near the inauguration would be give viewers and listeners a fresh perspective and a new start and outlook on life. Lots of people are looking forward to the day as a new beginning.”
I thought Peter’s initial sketch captured all of the above, and simply needed some tightening up. I lost the killer whale, and changed the type. Sinatra, keyboardist Ralph Steven’s pig, is the star of the show, so I wanted him to break out of the frame. It gives the thing a bit of depth. Earl Brown then thought it should look like a poster on an old barn, surrounded by tattered remnants of other posters. I loved this idea and think it adds *a lot*.
This was a fun project. And it’s super fun song and video. And isn’t it time for a little bit of fun? Enjoy.
