Written by: Jen Dan
Herman Dune is the music project moniker that French and Swiss citizen (and now San Pedro, California resident) David Ivar conceived way back in 1998 in Paris, France. The acclaimed veteran musician and visual artist has lived much of his life on the road and in the process of artistic creation.
This includes his latest output, the album Sweet Thursday, which was released on May 17th. The San Pedro environment, where Ivar lives by the harbor and where life starts at 4AM, has deeply influenced the 9 songs on the album. Ivar reveals, “Most songs on Sweet Thursday are inspired by this new life, and the doubts and fears of being an alien resident in the shift of the US during this current administration.” It was recorded live with his band (Kyle McNeill and Lewis Pullman).
Stereo Embers Magazine is pleased to premiere the video, directed by American Anymen creative Brett Sullivan, for the track “Oh Sweet Thursday”. Ivar comments, “The album has strong visual themes to me and I decided to work with video artist Brett Sullivan of the NYC antifolk band American Anymen to help realize music videos for the entire album. I really dug his editing style in connection to music, so when he came up with the idea of a video campaign for Sweet Thursday [as] almost a movie, I really jumped on the idea…”
Ivar began playing antifolk compositions in Paris at a time when no DIY scene existed, let alone with songs performed in English. In 2001 he started the famed MOFO music festival in Paris. He’s been on lo-fi record labels like Shrimper, but made the leap in 2006 to EMI/Source and released two albums. Giant was certified gold in France and Ivar toured continuously for two years in support of his LPs.
Over the years, Ivar has played a majority of the US and numerous festivals, including SXSW, Primavera Sound Festival, All Tomorrow’s Parties, and End of the Road. He has also performed a record of ten John Peel Sessions.
In 2008, Funny Or Die produced the video for Ivar’s song “Tell Me Something I Don’t Know”, which featured John Hamm and a puppet made by Jim Henson’s Studio.
As a visual artist, Ivar has been recognized for his work in Playboy, Flaunt, and Spray magazines. His art has been shown at the FIAC in Paris, Art Basel in Miami, and Triennale in Milano. He’s had multiple exhibitions in galleries and institutions throughout the US, UK, and Europe. He has also written and recorded the soundtracks for theatrical films like Mariage A Mendoza (Edouard Deluc), Netflix’s Blockbuster (July Hygrek), and Chasing Bonnie & Clyde (Olivier Lambert).
Find out more about David Ivar as Herman Dune
