Singer-Songwriter Simon Daniel Launches “Vagues Radio” and Directs His First Music Video, Inspired by Old Kung Fu Films.

Whether we’re talking about movies, music or renovating his century-old house, singer Simon Daniel from Moncton always has a project in motion.

The singer-songwriter is also in residence at the Re-Flux Festival this week, under the pseudonym Sticky Dots.

He will present the result of his experimental and audiovisual music project. Friday evening at Salle Bernard-LeBlanc, at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre.

“It’s a bit difficult to juggle all that at the same time. I wear many hats! I don’t really have time to stop. It’s a bit crazy right now,” he laughs.

In everyday life, he works with Atlas Film, a company that develops television, documentary and music projects.

The 31-year-old artist has just launched the piece “Vagues radio”, the second single from his album “Untitled (for now)”, released last March.

“It’s probably the brightest song on the album. It’s also the one with the most pop arrangements and a summer vibe. It’s going really well with the good weather coming,” he says,

Simon Daniel himself directed the music video that accompanies this song.

Drawing inspiration from the cinematographic language of old Kung fu films, he offers a “flyy” clip with a generous dose of self-mockery.
Staging himself in the clip, he leads a mysterious mission aboard a Westfalia, stopping on his way to assemble an unlikely team, which maybe will save the world.

“I’m a huge movie fan. I really like the aesthetics found in these old films. I wanted to wink at that time. With the projections that we find in the windows of the van, it seems a bit shabby and cheesy, but I find it really good, ”he underlines.

“There are old James Bond movies where you see the steering wheel of the car going all over the place, but the car doesn’t go in those directions at all. I find it hilarious.”

The clip features Mathieu Chouinard, Line Woods and Xavier Richard.

Photo direction, special effects and color grading were provided by Evar Simon.

Etienne Boivin also participated as first assistant director.

The singer from Moncton admits to having had a blast with this project.

“We wanted to do something really light, just for fun, without taking ourselves seriously. The project took off in a really different direction from what I’m used to doing,” says Simon Daniel.

“The clips I had done in the past were more artistic, with particular atmospheres. This time, I wanted to do something more explosive, precisely because it’s a more pop song.

He acknowledges that it is a bit complicated to act in the clip while directing it.

“It’s my first achievement and I’m really happy with the result. I’ve been working in the field for a few years as a cameraman, editor or sound recordist, but this is the first time that I really took control of my own project.”

Simon Daniel is preparing a show for the fall in a tour that will take him to Ontario, Quebec and all over the Maritimes.

Enough to keep him busy for quite a while.