One of my favorite bands of all time is Caravan Palace. They’re most known for a few popular songs used in animation memes online, but they have so many other albums that are worth a listen. They’re French, but use a lot of animation and abstract style in their marketing and music videos.
That brings me to the one specifically chosen for this blog- the official music video for “MAD” by Caravan Palace.
The main influence for the style of this music video was taken almost entirely from old cartoon-style animation- work done early on when animation was just starting out, but redone in a professional and artistic way. It seems like inspiration from old Disney styles was also taken. The animator behind it is Sebastian Pfeifer, who does much more than animating for music. I’ve linked his website below. He’s well versed in both 2d and 3d animation, and overall has a very surreal and odd style that’s both aesthetic and interesting.
I think this type of animation is very inspiring. I love the combined efforts of paying respects to old styles while also being creative and unique in its own way, and the animator behind it is just as creative. Caravan Palace as a band has impacted so many people and they’ve made huge steps in electrojazz music, and the animation they use is no different. I’m glad they choose independent animators and commission them, rather than being lazy with their production to get more money. Sebastian Pfeifer as an independent animator creates work that inspires more creativity and less conformity, which I believe is extremely important in the world of the arts, especially animation.
CITATIONS:
CaravanPalace. “Caravan Palace – MAD (Official MV).” YouTube, 19 Oct. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnSd97-lUCM. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.
“Sebastian Pfeifer.” Everfresh-Design.de, 2023, everfresh-design.de/. Accessed 18 Sept. 2024.