Artist:
THE GREAT DICTATORS
Label:
ROYAL TOAD RECORDS
Video:
“STRANGE WAYS”
Director:
Ulrik Guldin
Add Date:
April 20, 2015

Parody and comedy are often times at the forefront of addressing challenging topics and being the leading agent in change. A deft comic approach can tackle subjects that are not always easy to face head on. Copenhagen’s The Great Dictators have taken this approach to speak their mind about Russian president Vladimir Putin, who many would consider a modern-day dictator, appropriately enough. The new video for “Strange Ways” dives unabashedly into the reprehensible position that Putin has taken against the rights and liberties of gay and lesbian individuals throughout Russia.

The Great Dictators have drawn comparisons to stellar indie rock bands such as The National, The Magnetic Fields, and Nick Cave, to name a few. Their brand new album, Killers, is a fresh feeling collection of songs that embraces a minimalist approach to the music, always leaving lots of room for the music to breathe, and for lead singer Dragut Lugalzagosi’s soothing baritone vocals to create a hypnotizing melody to round it all out and carry it from beginning to end. 

Their new video, “Strange Ways,” takes a page out of the South Park book and creates a scrapbook, stop-motion collage of images that challenges Putin’s archaic laws and attitude towards the LGBT community. For those not up to speed, the problems in Russia go far beyond just the headlines of last year with the punk band Pussy Riot, the abuse and suppression of gays and lesbians is a systematic problem. The song openly questions why the lifestyle in the gay community is any more “strange” than the variety of things people do behind closed doors, whether they be straight or gay. And at its core, the video calls into question what might really be Putin’s motivation. Is it a deep rooted philosophical opposition? Or perhaps Uncle Vlad is suppressing his own desire to show his fabulous side! Take a look, this hilarious video will not disappoint!

We’re super psyched to be working with The Great Dictators to help spread their cause and awareness of a chronic problem in this world! The video may be lighthearted in nature, but it doesn’t shy away from taking on the tough topics. We would love to hook you up with a copy of the new album Killers, and anything else you might need to include this video in your programming. Please contact Andy Gesner and the HIP Video Promo team at (732)-613-1779 or email us at info@HIPVideoPromo.com . You can also visit www.TheGreatDictators.com for more info on The Great Dictators.

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