Following the release of his debut album Aromanticism last year and a stirring performance as part of NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series, singer/songwriter Moses Sumney flexes his directorial muscles with the release of a short film to accompany his single “Quarrel.” The track itself details the inadvertent disconnect that sometimes rears its head in relationships. Over a hauntingly melancholy track, in an equally mournful tone, the Bounce-Worthy alum sings “With you, half the battle is proving that we're at war / I would give my life just for the privilege to ignore.”
Such lyrics cause the listener to ponder, especially at a time when the topic of “privilege” is widely debated and everyone seems to be fighting for equality. Sumney explains, “I was thinking about privilege and power and the idea that two people in a relationship can be coming from different ends of the spectrum when it comes to societal power. In our interpersonal relationships, we like to think of ourselves as equals and as individuals, but what we don’t often realize is that we have either the weight of the world on our shoulders, depending on how much privilege we bring to the table, or the support of the world to back us up. So I was kind of trying to address the idea that two people can be equals in the bedroom or at the dining room table when out in the world, they are not.”
His explanation provides a bit of much needed context for the accompanying visual. Co-directed by Allie Avital, the seven-minute film is shot beautifully and is rich in symbolism. It begins with breathtaking captures of a snow-covered landscape. We find ourselves in a horse stable and witness Sumney’s endearing relationship with one horse in particular. All is well until the very dark and surreal revelation that he uses the bodies of horses to make sculptures. The disturbing scene is punctuated by the human-like look of horror and hurt on the horse’s face upon his discovery, as well as Berlinde De Bruyckere’s sculpture No Life Lost II, which is featured in the clip. This abstract portrayal of privilege and betrayal ends with a surprising depiction of role reversal, as the track’s instrumental outro provides the perfect accompaniment.
Watch Moses Sumney’s short film “Quarrel” and reflect on how one’s privilege might play a role in your relationships, whether consciously or subconsciously. With the release of his directorial debut, he also announced his upcoming tour dates to include performances at some of the premiere music festivals and venues across North America and the UK. In addition to appearances at Coachella, Governor’s Ball, Montreux Jazz Festival and Bonnaroo, he’s lined up European tour dates that span well into September. Revisit his Aromanticism album on the digital outlet of your choice, find your city below and grab your tickets on his website.
Moses Sumney 2018 Tour Dates:
4/20 — Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/29 — Cincinnati, OH @ Homecoming
6/01 — London, UK @ Field Day
6/02 — New York, NY @ Governor’s Ball
6/09 — Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo
6/29 — Montreux, CH @ Montreux Jazz Festival
6/30 — Paris, FR @ Days Off
7/01 — Ewijk, NL @ Down the Rabbit Hole
7/14 — Grafenhainchen, DE @ Melt! Festival
7/15 — Rotterdam, NL @ North Sea Jazz Festival
7/21 — Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival
7/26 — Washington, D.C. @ The Anthem
7/27 — Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival
8/03 — Locorotondo, IT @ Locus Festival
8/04 — Katowice, PL @ Off Festival
8/07 — Vilnius, LT @ Church of St. Catherine
8/09 — Oslo, NO @ Oya Festival
8/11 — Copenhagen, DE @ HAVEN
8/12 — Helsinki, FL @ Flow Festival
9/19 — Manchester, UK @ The Dancehouse Theatre
9/20 — Leeds, UK @ Howard Assembly Room
9/21 — London, UK @ Royal Festival Hall
9/23 — Berlin, Germany @ Funkhaus
9/25 — Goningen, Netherlands @ Nieuwe Kerk
9/26 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
9/28 — Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique Orangerie
