After years playing in rock bands as a lead guitarist, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Dean Luke recently released his debut single 'What Do I Know?'.
Originally written at the start of the pandemic in 2020, 'What Do I Know?' is an indie folk song lush with a jangly, major-toned melody married to introspective lyrics detailing existential despair and confusion."It was during a six-month depressive period brought on from a break-up, and moving to a new suburb," shares Dean discussing the creative process for What Do I Know?', "and feeling disillusioned with my job, and not being fulfilled by the people I was hanging out with. I had no intention of writing a song – I was writing as a form of catharsis."
Sound wise, 'What Do I Know?' resembles '90s alternative, indie-folk favourites such as The Cure, Pavement and The Sundays. Dean is also inspired by Wilco, Father John Misty, Paul Dempsey and Yo La Tengo.
After releasing 'What Do I Know?' last month, Dean is ready to take the covers off the song's music video, which scenestr is delighted to premiere today. Enjoy.
The music clip was shot by Melbourne-based director Michael Ridley and thought up by the Triana Hernandez who served as creative director for the shoot. It was filmed in Mt Dandenong with the majority of the scenes taking place with Dean in the back of a ute.
The decorated back tray of the ute represents a comfortable safe haven for Dean, but this comfortable safe haven is exposed to the greater, scarier outside world.
The concept aligns with the themes of vulnerability and existential despair in the lyrics. It also acknowledges these themes with the props: books by Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud and a painting by Edvard Munch are seen throughout the video.
The shoot took place in autumn of 2023. The video was filmed at double speed then slowed down to match the original tempo of the song, resulting in a dreamy, slow-motion look. Dean admits playing guitar at double speed while riding in the exposed tray of a ute was made harder by freezing cold hands from the autumn weather.
"Once the song is out and the film clip is out, I want to perform live as much as I can," Dean says.
Dean Luke plays Tramway Hotel (Melbourne) 31 July.
