Graham Duffill worked with videographer Joey of JWA Creations and the result was ‘reminiscent of films like 28 Days Later and Vanilla Sky’
A Hull musician is showcasing a rarely seen side of the city in the video accompanying his latest video. Graham Duffill, who records under the name Mandatory Volunteers, took to the city centre streets in very early hours of the morning to film a four-minute long visual to go with his single ‘a light in the noir’.
The 46 year-old from says the song is about being alone, and feeling stuck in darkness. The video depicts him wandering the deserted streets in scenes reminiscent of the apocalyptic film 28 Days Later.
He said: “I’ve always enjoyed making sure the artwork, works in parallel with the music. And this idea came from a feeling of isolation and a way out. It’s sort of reminiscent of films like 28 Days Later and Vanilla Sky.
“It was a frame of reference because everyone feels trapped at the moment. But especially in a city where I’ve lived all my life. I have a lot of friends here who said, “oh my god, I’ve never seen the city looking like that, I’d forgotten how beautiful some of the buildings are.”
Graham was helped by photographer and videographer Joey of JWA Creations in bringing his idea to life. The pair took to the city at about 4am one late April morning, encountering few people aside from a few “worse for wear” revellers yet to find their way home from the night before.
“I’ll be honest, I was thinking: “it’s 4am, I look very tired and it’s going to be in 4k you say!? I hope you’re going to get some filters on this, pal,” said Graham. “And then he showed me, about 5am near Hull City Hall where I did my first bit miming – the first time I’ve ever done it for a song – on the screen and I thought: that’s alright, actually.”
Having shot the video earlier this year, Graham said it was his own sense of perfectionism in the mixing of the song that prevented him from releasing it until now. The single forms part of an album which is scheduled for release next year.
With new equipment in place, Graham, who has played in a number of metal bands over the years including two-piece Sinaris, has explored a new sound which is a synthesis of his eclectic tastes. He says Manadatory Volunteers is more about exploring melody, and has encouraged him to hone his singing voice in contrast the more raucous metal sounds he is used to making.
Meanwhile ‘a light in the noir’ has fired the imaginations of listeners. Graham added: “A friend told me it made him think of everybody getting some kind of Government alert message and then having to evacuate, expect I missed it because my phone signal was so terrible. It’s basically the familiar background but the contrast of light and dark – which I always like with art, whether its painting, drawing or music.
“There’s got to be a feeling of a low and then the cathartic process to bring that creation to life and then you feel positive about it. And if you just have one nice thing in the day that makes you think you’re glad to be alive, that’s you finding the light and finding a way out.”
Mandatory Volunteers’ ‘a light in the noir’ is available on streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple. You can watch the video on YouTube.