Andy HermannAfter literally bumping into one another backstage at Coachella last year, singer/violinist/keyboardist Anna Bulbrook of The Airborne Toxic Event and guitarist Marc Sallis of The Duke Spirit decided to form a band together. Their group, The Bulls, offers collisions of a different sort, combining the pair's love of late '80s/early '90s dream-pop and shoegaze with Bulbrook's lush string arrangements and Sallis's moody, reverb-drenched guitars.
In their first video, for the lovelorn ballad “Come Unwound,” The Bulls and director Evan Mathis use provocative images of kinbaku, a Japanese form of erotic rope bondage, to represent the romantic tug-of-war that unfolds in the song's lyrics. L.A. Weekly is pleased (and more than a little turned on) to premiere the video here. We also asked Anna and Marc to tell us a little more about the video and what else fans can expect from their new project.
]
What led to the idea of using a kinbaku model in the “Come Unwound” video?
Anna Bulbrook: Our director, Evan Mathis, threw the idea at us. We loved how the beautiful, even pleasurable imagery of kinbaku turns the forlornness of the song on its head. Even though the song ends in sorrow, with things falling apart, our model ultimately releases herself from her bonds and walks calmly away.
Where was the video shot?
AB: In the warehouse in downtown L.A. where Banksy had that show with the elephant a few years back.
Have either of you tried kinbaku yourselves?
AB: Yes. At the end of the shoot, Master K tied us up for a bit. There is a real psychological exchange that happens when you trust someone to bind you, even if there are a lot of people in the room watching…
Marc Sallis: In the video, we also perform with bound wrists in a couple shots. There's an element of pain to it, but in a good way, like a tattoo.
“Come Unwound” has a sort of shoegaze-y, Jesus & Mary Chain vibe. What does the rest of the EP sound like?
AB: My favorite description so far is “Dolores O'Riordan on Xanax.” I'm going to go with dream-pop with some new wave and even grunge influences. Plus I can't help putting strings on everything.
Marc Sallis and Anna Bulbrook of The Bulls; Credit: Photo by Josh Giroux
How far along is the EP? Does it have a release date or is that still a ways off?
AB: The EP is nearly done, and the release date is sometime in 2015. We'll keep you posted.
Any new activity happening these days with either The Duke Spirit or the Airborne Toxic Event? Are you having to multi-task while working on this project?
AB: Airborne just came off a big fall tour, and is putting out a new record next year. I also try to link up with Edward Sharpe whenever I can. It's fun to peek into other band's worlds, especially theirs.
MS: I moved to L.A. from London a couple of years ago, and we've all been keeping busy with other projects. Liela and Toby came over to L.A. this year as Roman Remains, Olly has been doing FURS, and I'm doing this.
Your bio mentions that you decided to form a band in Indio, Calif. Was that at Coachella?
AB: Yep. We literally crashed into each other backstage, and a few drinks later, we'd formed a band.
Any plans to return to Coachella next year? Maybe to perform as The Bulls?
AB: It would be an honor to play the festival with The Bulls.
To find out more about The Bulls and keep tabs on their forthcoming EP, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter or SoundCloud.
Like us on Facebook at LAWeeklyMusic
@laweeklymusic
The 20 Worst Hipster Bands
The 10 Best Record Stores in L.A.
L.A.'s Top 10 Rising Female-Fronted Bands
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.