Slow Knights’ “Just Kiss” Video: Idolator Premiere (Plus A Nice Little Chat With Del Marquis)

Robbie Daw | March 3, 2015 7:00 am
Slow Knights Return!
Del Marquis and his pals are back with a brand new single, "Just Kiss."

Last week saw the arrival of “Just Kiss,” a funky, retro-cool synth track from Slow Knights that serves as the lead single from the outfit’s upcoming sophomore LP, Living In A Dark World, Let Me Be Your Light (out April 20).

In case you missed out out on Slow Knights the first time around, the band was founded by Scissor Sisters guitarist Del Marquis, and is made up by fellow members Xavier Smith, Bridget Barkan, Mykal Kilgore and Rod Thomas (aka Bright Light Bright Light). Their debut album, 2013’s Cosmos, was a personal one for Marquis, but this time around, his fellow Knights had a much bigger hand in writing the songs.

Below, watch the music video for “Just Kiss,” which Idolator is premiering today, and check out our Q&A with Slow Nights mastermind Del.

IDOLATOR: “Just Kiss” finds you continuing to explore your own modern take on ’80s-leaning R&B grooves. What is it about that genre that particularly resonates with you?
DEL MARQUIS: Of all the songs that will be on the record, this is our radio slow jam. I wanted to try my hand at trap beats and ass-rattling sub-bass, while keeping the vocals and lyrics rooted in classic R&B. Funk and soul were just something that I gravitated towards once i started doing my own production. At least half this record wouldn’t fall anywhere in this category, which has been having such a revivalist moment.

Who directed the music video for “Just Kiss,”and where it was shot?
The video is directed by John Lochland and James Loosemore at JL², who work out of London. I sent them a lot of mood board stills, and some metaphor ideas, to make sure that the revulsion/attraction sentiment of the lyrics were expressed…it couldn’t just be about about bubblebaths.

How has the Slow Knights project evolved since the release of Cosmos two years ago?
For Cosmos, I had something personal to express — a lot of the lyrics and content were coming from me. I’d have the singers come in and re-sing my demos; I knew how the record would sound before i started it. For Living In A Dark World, it was more about exploring production and themes outside my reference. I’d do four songs with each singer and start mining their personal drama — sometimes that meant they brought me a near-complete lyric that I would arrange and produce, or just meant listening close and picking out a word or theme in something they said while we were just talking. My favorite moment was for “Astral Bodies” — I told Bridget what the song should be about, and the title, and I’d say 50% of those first few improvised vocal takes ended up being in the song, while we filled in the missing pieces later.

Are there any new members in the band since the last album?
No new members, but the ones that are here are getting busier with their careers, which makes it hard to schedule things. Not that I ever want to tour again, mind you!

Aside from the core members, who did you work with on this upcoming album, production-wise?
I did about 95 % of the production. There are two songs, “Living In A Dark World” and “Candy Sugar Rush,” that I sent to get beefed up to a guy who does production as Prince Vince. He did the same thing last time around with ‘Say Ooh Damn,” which used to sound like a Primal Scream bar band song, and came back sounding much better.

How would you personally describe the upcoming album?
It’s an evolution. I wouldn’t make the same record again, or even a better version of it. I’m pushing myself as a producer and exploring ideas and sounds that interest me. The record is out April 20th worldwide digitally, and as some limited CD runs at select stores, as well as 12″ vinyl direct order from the website.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.