Xiren
Xiren is a American-born Irishman. His name (pronounced seer-rin) harkens the Greek Sirens who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast.
Perhaps tired of the Rock wreckage of his previous album, TRIP-R (an eclectic rock album inspired by a catastrophic tour bus crash, family mental health issues and an elaborate international con which left him penniless to escape India), the latest single 'Not a Love Song' clearly shows that he’s resolute and happy.
'Not a Love Song' trades TRIP-R’s crunch for an ethereal fuzzed up 80s sound and cooks up fun danceable New Wave rapture juxtaposed against forlorn lyrics.
About the video, Xiren had this to say: "With energetic and stylishly fun homemade videos Xiren’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/xirenband) has flourished with well over 600,000 views and counting. Self-produced and with nearly ZERO budget 'Not a Love Song' was a particular challenge due to its ambitious concept – a night club with an exploding neon paint bomb. The less money you have the more creative you’re forced to be."
Not a Love Song was shot beginning to end in only 6 hours. The main character, played by the beautiful Aslyn Kay, was found on craigslist and has already starred in two of Xiren’s videos.
The club scene was filmed in a yoga studio which was transformed by using DJ lights and a smoke machine. Only 12 extras were on hand for the filming so the studio’s mirrored walls were handy as a force multiplier.
Dumping the neon paint on everyone was the biggest challenge of the whole project. Xiren found a grass lot and used ladders and gardening buckets to drizzle water on his dancing friends. A special dye was added to the water which reacts with the 700W Wildfire light and glows like crazy.
Part of what makes his videos standout and look expensive is his process of coloring the footage which is a process designed for professional photographers.