Exclusive Video Premiere: ‘Laura Palmer,’ Bastille (RAC Remix)

ABOVE: BASTILLE

In the past, when musicians have wanted to show their appreciation for another artist’s work, they’ve dropped a name or borrowed a chord or two. Now, the sincerest form of musical flattery is a remix that stays true to the original. Recently, London band Bastille had its Twin Peaks-inspired “Laura Palmer” lovingly tampered with by RAC (Remix Artists Collective), an international group that specializes in forgoing the “club mix” in favor of “reincarnations.”

Like its previous remixes of Bloc Party, Au Revoir Simone, and Phoenix, RAC’s “Laura Palmer” is a reinterpretation that hasn’t had all traces of its author chopped out of it. With the pounding drums and lush reverb of the original toned down, lead singer Dan Smith’s stadium-sized vocals suddenly seem intimate. “We love what RAC did with our song,” Smith says, calling it a “re-imagining” rather than a remix. In fact, Bastille likes it so much, they’ve released a fittingly personal video for the single, which we’re pleased to premiere below. Featuring footage of the band getting tattoos and goofing off while on their US tour, the video and mix prove the value of a second look (and listen). 

TO HEAR THE ORIGINAL “LAURA PALMER,” CHECK OUT BASTILLE’S DEBUT ALBUM, BAD BLOOD, OUT NOW ON VIRGIN RECORDS. FOR MORE ON THE BAND AND RAC, VISIT ITS WEBSITE.