"Lovers' Roulette" is an experimental horror-themed short film from LGBQT+ artist Stephen Lind. The film features two singles, "Lovers' Roulette" and "Getaway," and is making its way around the European Film Festival circuit. It has won "Best Music Video" at the Paradise Film Festival, Brazil New Visions Film Festival, BIFF, and Feel The Reel International Film Festival, while being selected at a handful of others. The video follows the Lonely Man (Stephen Lind) as he cautiously navigates through the lust-driven lair, whose patrons find themselves lost and unable to "Getaway."
By Kamil Bobin
Kamil) Hey Stephen Lind, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Hello :) -- I've always had an inkling to make music, for as long as I can remember.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
I appreciate it all; the good and the bad. So there is no 'least' favorite part for me because I knew what I was signing up for. The good would not exist without the bad.
Your video/film is about your latest EP "Lovers' Roulette." Can you share with us the behind-the-scenes of its creation and if any unusual things happened during its creation?
Well, the project as a whole took about 2 years to create. The music came first, obviously. Once we had solidified the tracklisting for the EP, we began diving into what this world would look like. Being an independent artist, I had to come up with the funding & team to create the quality of film I knew I was capable of. After months and months of planning and some incredibly good luck, we filmed the video over 2 nights. I would say the most unusual thing that happened was it's happening. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being able to do that.
Why did you decide to choose the tracks "Lovers' Roulette" and "Getaway" for your video? Can you write more about these tracks?
I chose those two tracks because they really set the tone for the story I wanted to tell. That classic "all that glitters isn't gold" feeling; you may think you want one thing but what you're actually craving is the exact opposite. The juxtaposition of the music and lyrics for both tracks allowed me to expand the visual world.
Where are you from and do you have a stable home or do you prefer travelling?
I'm from Tucson, AZ but currently live in Los Angeles. I would love to travel more, but like most millennials and younger, we have been forced to become recessionistas' and make do with what we can.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Flawless perfection. Just kidding, I would describe it as someone having fun. I don't have any fancy keywords or anything like that; I think my music is simply fun.
How do you nurture your own creativity?
I don't have a specific routine, I just listen to my body and mind. If there are days I have the energy and inspiration, I do what feels right. I also allow myself to pause and recharge if I'm trying to push something and it's not working.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Probably Ashlee Simpson, because then I'd get to also watch her show for free 99 multiple times.
Who's your ideal musician to collaborate with and why?
Probably Ashlee Simpson, because her voice and my voice would sound like beautiful hymns from (7th) heaven.
What are your plans for the future?
I'm currently recording my new record and looking forward to starting to perform "Lovers' Roulette" live.