Music

Battles explain the technology behind their "My Machine" video, what it's like to work with Gary Numan

by Sam Sutherland

Produced by the directorial duo Daniels, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary Creators Project, the latest video from Battles is a pretty righteous visual experience. Taken from Gloss Drop, the New York City-based trio’s latest record, “My Machine (feat. Gary Numan)” is an intense interpretation of the band’s heady, experimental style. We spoke with drummer John Stanier about the how the video came together, and how Gary Numan ended up in there.

“We were looking at various treatments, and it was the second or third one we saw,” says Stanier. “As soon as we saw it, we knew it was the one.” The band’s first video from Gloss Drop, for “Ice Cream,” was an ambitious and strange treatment, so the standard was already high. While completely different in execution, there’s little doubt that “My Machine” also delivers, albeit in an entirely different fashion.

“They shot the stuntman falling, maybe three or four times,” Stanier says. “The camera was locked into every micro-movement, so you can continue to shoot stuff after and just layer and layer and layer it, and he’ll always be there, falling. They used this enormous camera. I’ve never seen anything like it.” The tireless shoot required renting a mall in suburban Los Angeles, and hoping that Gary Numan would be willing to make the trek from England. He did. Of the four guest vocalists on Gloss Drop, Numan was the only one not already a part of the Battles circle, making his eagerness to participate all the more startling and satisfying for the band.

“We started shooting at eight at night, and went until six in the morning,” explains Stanier. “Gary was there until three in the morning. Not only was it amazing that we were able to get him involved in the record, but it’s even more amazing that he’s an awesome guy who’s as enthusiastic as we are about it. It’s so much more than having Gary Numan on your record. What he did took it to the next level.”