They don’t come much more multi-hyphenate than Nicholas Brown. He is an actor, screenwriter, playwright, singer, songwriter, Bollywood actor, as well as a Play School presenter. Today we are stoked to be premiering “Strange Shadow”, a gloriously upbeat golden serve of electronic dance music. We have the video to go with the track, which as you would expect from such a creative, is packed with drama.
The track is an affirmation to be brave, be positive, and live your best life; as Brown explains: “Strange Shadow is a love letter to the shadow self. It’s about embracing your dark side and being open to the journey it can take you on as you reconcile with all parts of your mind, body and soul. It’s about meeting your inner twin flame – in all its glory – and dancing in that chaos and beauty. It’s about celebrating your freak and trusting that the world will catch up soon.”
There’s no doubt about it—”Strange Shadow” is a dance-floor filler. It has a lights-dimmed-low dance club feel to it which just feels sooooo good. The track was produced by Sydney’s Dave Winnel (Twenty One Pilots, David Guetta, Bastille). It’s given an exotic twist with some Bollywood influences via some sultry Indian strings and sitar.
The video is stunning. It’s packed with queer imagery, and undoubtedly Brown has called on his wide circle of creative pals to help out. He explains the inspiration: “The Strange Shadow music video was directed by the incredible artist David Charlie (David Charles Collins) and very much channels Dario Argento’s 1977 film Suspiria with a little inspiration from the 1984 Gremlins film.
Legendary queer icon and sex clown Betty Grumble/Emma Maye Gibson appears as a Gena Rowlands type character inspired by the Cassavetes Opening Night film who is thrust into a theatrical world of goblins, demons and fae. Transported through a portal in her change room that lies inside of one of her stage gowns – Betty Grumble wrestles with her shadow self in all off its forms before returning to her change room forever changed.
She takes on several archetypes in the music video including Michael the Archangel (inspired by the Guido Reni painting), Titania from Midsummer Nights Dream, and an over stimulated Fortune Teller.
The outrageously talented Shaun Parker from Shaun Parker & Company choreographed the music video with support from his QUEER BITES Program.”
Brown will also be releasing two remixes of “Strange Shadow” from ‘the Synth Lord’, Luke Million and iconic Perth DJ Mind Electric. Something to look forward to in the not too distant future we hope.
Brown has a rich history in the arts. He has appeared with Big Ted on Play School, appeared in the Australian premiere of the smash hit Broadway musical Come From Away, the musical drama series In Our Blood, season 2 of Upright opposite Tim Minchin, the Asher Keddie drama series Fake and an upcoming role in Alex Proyas’s sci-fi musical R.U.R..He was also the playwright for Sex Magick, which was performed in 2023 at the Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney, for which he was awarded the Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting at the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.
Bust out of your shell, get down and dirty and ride the wave of euphoria dished up by “Strange Shadow”. Enjoy this premiere ahead of its release on Friday – and do be sure to pre-save it HERE.
You can give Nicholas Brown a follow on Instagram and Spotify
Header photo credit: James Demitri
