azcentral studio concert: Captain Squeegee unplug and share 'Dually Noted' video details
Captain Squeegee dropped by azcentral for a rare unplugged performance a day after their video for “Dually Noted” was unveiled on YouTube.
Naturally, we took that as a sign that we should go behind the scenes a bit on the creation of their first collaboration with director Freddie Paull, who puts the focus squarely on lead singer Danny Torgersen, as he makes his way from the set of a TV reality show audition to the depths of hell.
Torgersen’s larger-than-life persona and considerable acting chops are both in full effect from the time he steps out of a broken elevator singing, “I am not a weed, I’m just an unloved flower.” Setting off to explore his surroundings, he’s chased through the halls by security guards in ski masks who knock him unconscious with a night stick. It gets trippier from there, through a brilliantly staged audition scene that makes the most of Torgersen’s ridiculously entertaining willingness to give the camera everything he’s got to that previously mentioned visit with the devil, which required filming in an Arizona mine shaft.
Scroll below the video for an interview with Torgersen.
“Danny is every bit as effervescent in real life as he is on screen,” says Paull. “So working with him is kinda like trying to control a ball of raw energy, but that just made the whole experience more fun. He’s a fantastic actor, and honestly his theatrics really make the video for me. If anything, the whole creation of the video was a battle just to try to match the same level of energy and vibrancy as Danny and his writing.”
That presence and energy Torgersen brings to the video, Paull says, “always comes across majorly in his shows, so there was no question that the story had to revolve around him. In a sense, it's kind of the Lebowski approach to storytelling in that it's the environment and the world around him that are kinda tossing him around, instead of him actually making his own decisions - until the end, that is.”
The premise grew out of a meeting at Cornish Pasty, where Paull and Steve Morrell, his writer friend, were bouncing ideas back and forth while waiting on Torgersen to show.
“I knew I wanted it to be a journey of some sort,” Paull says. “Those kinds of films are always my favorite. Steve suggested doing a talent show like ‘The X Factor,’ and then we got on this idea of making the show more like a dystopian regime. Because I really don't like those shows. In a way, it's a modern American gladiatorial arena, but instead of swords, the judges’ tongues do the damage.”
The idea was complete when Torgersen rolled up and revealed that he’d actually auditioned for one of those shows.
We’ll let Torgersen take it from here.
Parodying reality TV after you've lived it
Question: Had you worked with Paull before?
Answer: Nope! But we had originally discussed the video almost 2 years ago!!!
Q: What appealed to you about working with him?
A:His Bogan Via videos looked INCREDIBLE, so I was instantly intrigued. Plus he and Zach Slager (Electric Legends) became good friends with me after filming our ASU Big Band collab at Crescent (So I guess we did work together, lol). Freddie's also British, and his accent is so freaking suave. How can you not trust a guy like that with art?!?
Q: Ha ha. What do you feel like he brought to the process?
A: He and Zach brought the ultimate "cinematic" vibe ... both with their pro-gear and finely-tuned shot selection. At our second meeting, he showed up with a freaking storyboard. This thing plays like a movie or an epic adventure film ... he made it more than a music video. Maybe detail is a British thing?
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Q: Was it a collaborative thing, or did you suggest a premise and let Paull run with it?
A: He asked his writer for some ideas. Then, when they threw out the “American Idol” parody premise, I was like "YES! I've been there ... I've done that! Let's f--k with that!!” Also gotta give a shout-out to Brandon McGill, who created our Baphomet (Devil) and Andrew Sievers for his artistic direction. They really glued it all together on set.
Q: So, tell me more about the “American Idol” experience.
A: After my psychic suggested it, I was sure I had to. Haha. I literally flew to Colorado to catch the only audition left!
Q: What happened there?
A: I had a giant lucky crystal in my hand while I waited for hours in a stadium ... with a stupid number on my chest. I've always been a performer, and I have so much energy, I thought it made sense to try. But instantly you realize it's a cattle call of insanity. You have no soul. You are a number. A number destined to sing in a tent for about a minute for an a--hole in sunglasses.
Q: See? This is why I don't wear sunglasses. Seriously, though, I would think you would in theory do well on a show like that. You’ve got the right blend of actual talent and the cult of personality you seem to bring to the proceedings. What actually went down?
A: I know what you mean, about me. I felt the bold in my soul, and it all seemed right for me, seemed tangible that I could stand out to the fame-gods. And a f--king psychic was on my side.When my number finally went to the meat-grinder, I was shut down within 40 seconds with a "thanks.” A farce. A joke. No f--ks given. But it all made sense when the tent NEXT to me erupted in cheering because the half-naked guy covered in feather boas had been selected. They wanted freaks. Not the good kind like you and me. When I signed the contract for first round, I was literally signing away my existence to an evil sham. Their contract said "Forever and Throughout the Universe" SEVERAL times.
Q: Wow. So has this shaken your belief in psychics?
A: I would say yes. But here I am, making art of it, with a bunch of rad humans I probably would never see if I was some whack ginger Clay Aiken. Everything is for a reason
Q: Some whack ginger Clay Aiken.
A: She is still legit to me, and so is the very real psychic nature of consciousness. Also, I ended up randomly making a super-dope 911 conspiracy dubstep song with my Denver homie the day after my audition. So I was clearly meant to be there
Q: You're going off topic again.
A: Completely relevant.
Q: I will include it. So, this is the first time you've really been featured in one of your own videos for a little while now. Why is that?
A: Well first of all, I am clearly in "Inevitble." I'm just made of clay. I'm also fully animated in "Farce"!
Q: Yeah, that REALLY takes advantage of your videogenic personality.
A: Johnnie really captured my sincere conspiratorial madness in that one. It’s basically me.
Q: I can see that. But I hope you see my point as well.
A: WELL ... actually this video was going to be finished long ago. But it literally took forever to find a safe mine shaft that would let us run around legally. We filmed the first half over a year ago. ... So the universe clearly wanted you all to wait for my smiling face. Don't worry Ed. ... There will be more. Danny will very likely make another appearance.
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Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495.Twitter.com/EdMasley .