Dave Jay Gerstein knows how to put on quite the show. You might know him better as The Sound of Monday, who just released another conceptual and captivating new music video for his recent single, "The Keeper of the Mood."
The man, singer-songwriter, and musician behind The Sound of Monday never fails to grab the listener's attention. Gerstein's sound is reminiscent of the Attractions, an '80s David Bowie, and The Beach Boys.
We had the pleasure of experiencing The Sound of Monday's creative and charismatic ways in his recent single and music video, "The Keeper of the Mood." A Derek Taylor inspired the title quoted in The Beatles Anthology, "I think there are still people out there who linger on after the mood's gone: the keepers of the mood."
The Sound of Monday saw himself in that quote as he held on to an unhealthy relationship while remembering what it once was. We are all keepers of the mood and memories from times we wish to relive or forget. The new music video for "The Keeper of the Mood" takes a more spirited and metaphorical approach, directed by Anthony Sabino.
As Gerstein is tied in front of a television and held hostage, the scene switches to his black and white suave performance to fuel viewers that familiar The Sound of Monday energy. It all looks playful, but Gerstein's lyrical meaning runs incredibly deep, backed by many props and effects to emphasize his many metaphors. It's a profoundly conceptual and mesmerizing visual that acts as another stellar addition to The Sound of Monday's catalog of thrilling music videos.
Let's face it, we all wish to forget or relive memories of the past. Catch The Sound of Monday brings this theme to life in his latest single and music video for "The Keeper of the Mood," now available on YouTube.
Welcome back to BuzzMusic, The Sound of Monday. We love the relatable and reflective concept within your recent single, "The Keeper of the Mood." What inspired you to create this dynamic and conceptual song?
It’s good to be back, thank you. We love what you’ve done with the place! The concept came from my interest in and love for The Beatles. In the mid-90s, The Beatles released "Anthology," in which they (and their closest friends & colleagues) told their entire riveting story. I bought the VHS tapes (later DVDs) and accompanying mammoth coffee table book, full of direct quotes (which later helped fuel my one-person show, "johnpaulgeorgeringo," Winner, Outstanding Solo Show, NY International Fringe Festival). When things were falling apart for them in the late '60s, and Lennon brought in manager Allen Klein (to Paul's dismay), it shook things up. Their Press Officer, Derek Taylor reaction held a sentiment that resonated with me. Moreover, his phraseology struck me as poetic, relatable, and to the point: “Allen changed a lot at Apple. He was a massive presence when he was in town. He had an office right opposite mine, and it shows how cracker I was that I carried on as I was carrying on. I wouldn’t do it now; I’d be far too nervous. But I was fuelled by the certainty that if I was still employed there, then I had this other function: I was still representing, if you like, ‘the old days.” There are still people who linger on after the mood’s gone: the keepers of the mood.”I took his line about being "keepers of the mood" and immediately wrote a song about my flailing up & down passionate relationship at the time (noticing how I generally hold onto the nostalgia of the past), and wrote what would become our latest single, "The Keeper of the Mood."
Could you break down the meaning behind the various scenes in your music video for "The Keeper of the Mood?” What was the significance of the hostage and the mime?
The hostage is a prisoner of the past, and he’s forced to relive prior experiences whether it does him good or not. The mime represents the silent walls that put the hostage’s love in escrow. You didn’t ask about this one, but I’m on a roll… The mad scientist has to do with the mood-altered chemicals that change brains; incidentally, it was a fun character to portray! Well, that’s how I read it. The beauty is that you can interpret it any way you’d like. You might decide that every character in this thing is a “Keeper of the Mood.” I can’t take credit for the rich imagery this video boasts. After reading the script by the vid’s director and cinematographer, Red Lamp Media’s Anthony Sabino, in all honesty, I had to ask him the same thing. He patiently explained that he was interpreting each line of lyric and creating an image conjured by his imagination. Once I’d thought about the words in the song held up to each photo, it began to make complete sense. I love his cinematic interpretive experimentation. The result is a fun video for all to enjoy.
What was your collaboration with director Anthony Sabino when creating the music video for "The Keeper of the Mood?”
Anthony and I worked well together. I gave him the keys to the video kingdom and let him do what he wanted with the production, only informing him that if he saw fit, I am an experienced character actor with a passion for doing it. He came back with kooky mime and a mad scientist, among others. It was a long day’s shoot, but I reveled in that element.
What feelings or thoughts do you hope to evoke in listeners with "The Keeper of the Mood?” How do you want this song to make them feel?
The song grooves, thanks to our EP’s producer, Danny Weinkauf (They Might Be Giants), and is about my aforementioned penchant for holding onto the past, good or bad, with an extreme nostalgic bent. I tend to see glory days through rose-colored eyeballs and long for moments that can no longer be, if only for a chance to either relive something special or change course and alter the trajectory—a pipe dream inner pipe bomb. I would be delighted for the song to find like-hearted people who can relate to a desire for the appealing segments of yesteryear, who smirk knowingly, with a skip in our collective step. The most humbling and meaningful compliment would be for those who dig it to relate to this and the rest of our voluminous catalog.
What's next for you?
I’m going to get some sushi. I can’t get anything pertinent done when I’m this hungry.
We’re based in NYC but just returned from LA, where we spent a week with producer Charles Newman at his Cottage Sounds studio. We produced some excellent new recordings, both covers and an original, to follow up the remarkable success we’ve had with our version of “Spiderman Theme” (well over 6 million streams and quickly rising).
We also took meetings with colleagues to explore joining forces on upcoming multimedia projects. We’ve got a bunch of recordings in the can and are planning releases for 2023, as well as a bunch of other cool surprises…For all the thrill your adrenaline can muster, please join our *J’Blammo Pop journey! Thank you.