Fun frontman Nate Ruess has been busy since 2013: He featured on popular singles from Pink and Eminem, then went to work on his debut solo album Grand Romantic, which was released last June. With so much on his plate, it’s fair for Ruess to want a break every once in a while.
“The only thing better than not having to be in your own video is having someone as cool as Patrick taking your place. And because of what an incredible job he did, I’m currently holding auditions for someone to do interviews and press photos for me too,” Ruess said.
The “Patrick” he is referring to is actor Patrick Fischler, and the video about which he speaks is his brand new music video for “Take It Back,” which is premiering today exclusively on Nerdist.
Fischler has been in too many TV shows and movies to count, but you might recognize him from his roles in Dinner for Schmucks, Old School, Lost, and Mad Men, among so many others. In this production, Fischler plays an emotionally vibrant man singing his heart out in what looks like a rundown karaoke bar, which works with the soulful and pained tone of the song. Also, if the style of the guitar solo in the middle of the track sounds familiar, that’s because it was performed by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.
“I’m a huge fan of Nate, a huge fan of this song and a huge fan of [director Alistair Legrand], so needless to say I was a huge fan of this job,” Fischler said of working on the video. “I haven’t had this much fun in years.”
Legrand–who recently directed The Diabolical, a film that premiered at the SXSW film festival–said the video was inspired by his gut reaction to the song: “I loved the track and instantly thought of a very sad man singing his heart song, either post-breakup or after the death of his wife. I wanted it to be in these strange Koreatown bars you find in Los Angeles and my producer Judy Craig found the perfect location, complete with themed rooms.”
To bring things full circle, Ruess is also getting ready to start a short run of concerts in Asia over the next few days, so if you secure an interview with him in the next couple weeks, be aware that you might actually be talking to Patrick Fischler.
Ruess has a limited edition vinyl for Grand Romantic, which you can preorder right here.
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IMAGE: Lindsey Byrnes
