Playlist: Thomas James

South London-based writer/director, illustrator and designer Thomas James, known for his work for artists such as Honeyblood, The Phobophobes and Oh Wonder, steps up for this week’s Playlist.

What’s the best promo you’ve seen recently and why?

The Radiohead Burn the Witch promo by Chris Hopewell I thought was great. So simple and lovely, but pretty grim at the same time. 

What’s the first promo you remember being impressed by?

I don’t know about impressed - I think I was too young to understand the processes involved, but I used to be obsessed with MTV2 AfterHours when I was like 12. On a Saturday night they would show all the 'alternative' promos they couldn't show in the week during the daytime - and loads of them really left a lasting impression. Heart Shaped Box by [Anton] Corbijn I think is pretty much burnt onto my retinas. I can remember watching WindowLicker [dir. Chris Cunningham] for the first time and being full on haunted. 

For some reason Bonnie Tyler, Total Eclipse of the Heart stands out too. That video is mental. 

And what’s your all-time favourite music video?

That’s an insane question! There’s way too many. I think, and I’m pretty sure this probably doesn’t count, but The Cramps - At Napa State Hospital has some of the most incredible live performative footage ever shot.

They played a benefit gig at a psychiatric hospital to the patients - the characters in the crowd are having an amazing time.  It just looks like the greatest, strangest party ever. 

What other directors/artists do you look to for inspirational?

All sorts, whatever I can get my eyes and ears on really - there’s so much. I try not to watch too many contemporary promos, and find inspiration in other forms - a lot of short stories and weird older films, series and things. I’m a bit of a magpie for stranger, older stuff.

I’ve spent a long time obsessed with Italian Giallo films, The Bird with the Crystal Plumeage, Inferno, anything by Argento or Fulci really. I’m currently trawling through a load of folk-horror stuff at home, Michael Reeves’ Witchfinder General and things like that. 

I’ve also recently started watching Eerie Indiana again - just to balance out the high and low brow. Watch the title sequence on YouTube, it’ll take you right back. 

What are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve been listening to a lot Giles Corey, (his self-titled album is incredible), Bongripper, Cemetaries, Fuzz. A bit of a mixed bag. I’m also having a Rowland S. Howard resurgence. Teenage Snuff Film is an amazing album. 

What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?

My girlfriend has got one of those head massager things you get in the pound shop. It’s incredible. 

What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?

Nick Cave. Without question. Murder Ballads is a really important, formative album for me. I think it actually helped me develop an approach to storytelling, without really realising it at the time. His songs are so visually rich, they’re like these amazing musical scripts.

How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?

I think with visual culture in general, trends and tropes seem to have become cyclical - everything is consumed and enveloped so quickly that I think you can really identify these waves in aesthetic values and style. I think with the sheer speed and volume of production in the visual industries, things are starting to eat themselves much more quickly. 

Music videos have had a resurgence of late; where do you see the industry being in five years’ time?

I have no idea - it's a weird one isn't it. It's pretty much tied to whatever happens to the music industry, which is in a really weird place at the moment.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people won’t know…

I made my parents exorcise our house when I was like 12. They got in Pagan priests and everything.