We've raved
before about the visual work of San Francisco graphic designer and ambient electronic musician
Tycho, aka Scott Hansen -- but how exciting that similarly-styled graphic designer and director
Charles Bergquist has now been enlisted to turn both of their still image styles into moving image! Both Bergquist and Hansen are known visually for their use of overlaid imagery and washed out colors, and the video for "Ascension" possesses all of these elements. But unlike any hand-held video edited together by any ol' dream pop band with a penchant for Polaroid dreaminess, this is a well-executed, high-quality visual treat that feels pulled straight out of a fashion magazine universe. It also incorporates the best of both Bergquist and Hansen's graphical tendencies, most evidenced by the constant use of the sunset from Tycho's last release,
Dive. The primary difference is that here, worlds of water are left behind, as listeners are lifted into mountains of dry sand.
I might also add that it is likely the
Ghostly International connection, but the slowly-expanding paint splotches used occasionally in this video are reminiscent of the
genius abstractions from Matthew Dear's Headcage EP... and you should
definitely view this in 1080p HD.