Lisel releases the video for “The Past Is A Tiger” off The Vanishing Point, which comes out October 18, 2024. "The Past is a Tiger" is an emotionally direct and evocative song that blends both macabre and ethereal soundscapes (harsh growls, eerie industrial whistles, bell-like synths) with incisive, probing, and self-critical lyrics. The song reflects on how the past can be both elusive and dangerous—something that lurks and occasionally resurfaces. Lisel’s floating vocals and the intricate, dark, experimental production create a haunting atmosphere, inviting listeners to contemplate how memory and melancholy can often lead to self-obsession and self-absorption.
Director Julia Ponce Díaz says, “We developed a series of visual ideas that were inspired by representations of the myth of Narcissus in painting and sculpture, reflecting on how we willingly contribute to our own self-destruction through thought patterns and behavior we know aren't worthwhile but can't give up. The element of the pond, and the emphasis on reflections and portraiture all derived from this simple concept.
The song and video balance opulent beauty and tension, offering a mesmerizing exploration of time and self-reflection. BAFTA Newcomer Fellow, Julia Ponce Díaz’s visually striking video pairs its stunning, lush scenery and baroque, extravagant garments with the song’s eerie, mournful undertone. The video encapsulates the melancholy of the lyricism, juxtaposing dreamlike visuals with the raw emotion of Lisel’s performance. “The Past Is A Tiger” showcases the most evolved project between Díaz and Lisel, with stunning production value that is a continuation of their previous collaboration on Lisel’s “Blades of Grass.”
CREDITS
Song Written, Produced & Performed by Lisel
Director: Julia Ponce Díaz
Choreographer: Annalise Gehling
Producer: Gia Rigoli
Cinematographer: Annalise Gehling
Production Designer: Kailah Armond
Editor: Colton Warren
Wardrobe: Vera Moles
Gaffer: Micah Goldfarb
1st AC: Bella Parisot
Colorist: Taylor Black
Art Director: Demi Anjorin
Set Dresser: Amy Aivazian
Make-up Artist: Guity Rafik-Surrey
Hair Stylist: Graciella Padilla
Production Company Discordia & Vulnerable Ramble