Enfnts Terribles

What does “Illusion” represent to you?

Elninodiablo: “Illusion” was conceived during a time when I was traveling and living in South East Asia and exploring philosophical questions about life—reading books, practicing meditation and somatic movement techniques and listening to “satsang” (editor’s note: gathering together for the truth).

It was a formative time that presented me with a new perspective on life and a new way of being that was beginning to embody itself into every aspect of my life. It was an incredibly powerful experience, and I wanted to share some of the core truths of what was now my reality, through music—but, of course, I wanted to do it in a light and playful way, which I hope comes across in the music. So “Illusion” represents this massively transitional time in my life. 

The song doesn’t have a lot of lyrics. Is there still a story you want to put forward with this track?

Elninodiablo: Well, my personal story with this track is how I described it before. The spoken word part comes from a recording of satsang by Adyashanti (editor’s note: an American spiritual leader), who speaks of how we get lost in our thinking minds and lose grasp of our actual felt present moment experience. No amount of words will ever be accurate in describing that; it is energy moving—life moving in such richness and complexity. Language and words can only point to it as a reference and with an attempt to process, understand, and communicate, which is necessary.

But the truth of what’s actually happening in any given moment is so much more radiantly alive, intimate, intelligent, infinite, and ever-changing than what our thinking minds comprehend and try to interpret. So there’s the paradox. Once we get a glimpse of this truth, which cannot be accurately described, we try to grasp and understand it by analyzing it with our minds, giving concepts, definitions, names, religions, ways of life, the right way and the wrong way … and there lies the ‘Illusion’. 

You put a lot of energy into the visual aspect of your music. How do you put together mood boards?

Elninodiablo: Usually, a collaboration with Adam would start with me playing him some ideas I have for my upcoming music releases. Then the one musical idea that gets the most excitable response from Adam would end up being the one that we start working on visually. I would walk Adam through my creative process, sharing what a particular piece of music means to me and what the story behind it is. Adam would then take it away, adding his interpretation and vision, and write a treatment for the video, and it is always spot on. Visually and aesthetically, he takes the concept somewhere unexpected, creating something unique and stimulating that compliments and elevates everything.

Have you already gotten some new ideas for upcoming releases?

Elninodiablo: Absolutely, we are filming the video for my single “Blitzkrieg” in a few weeks (editor’s note: out in June). And the concept is the most wildly ambitious one yet, but I cannot disclose any more details as we want it to be a surprise and delight … I’m intrigued about how we are actually going to pull this one off !! Somehow it always comes through, and as I mentioned earlier, I completely trust Adam’s vision.

How would you describe your art direction style in a few sentences?

Adam Munnings: I love to build worlds. It’s like an escape, a dream, an ideal. That’s the magic of cinema for me, really. With all that’s going on in the world, it’s a way to dive into something more playful and poetic. It’s always hyper-stylized, romantic, queer, playful, colorful, and nostalgic. Everything that is in the frame is thought out. Seeing it come from the mind to the screen is a thrill that never gets old.

Where do you get your inspiration for new work?

Adam Munnings: As a director, I sometimes feel like a machine: churning out concepts and projects one after the other. Luckily, there’s inspiration everywhere. I see it in people, places, conversations, nightlife, style, and other artists’ amazing work. Whether it’s apparent or not, in the more creative projects, there’s always a piece of my heart on the screen. If your art doesn’t help process one’s struggles or celebrate one’s triumphs or moods, is it really worth doing?

The devil is in the details. What’s the importance of set design for you?

Adam Munnings: There’s importance in every department. It really takes a village. Set design is essentially the world you are creating, so it communicates so much information. Even when I was young and still living with my parents, I would be transforming my bedroom over and over again. The space we exist in and enjoy life outside of film is something I curate with immense detail, so when it comes to my work, it’s all systems go. I’m completely blessed to have worked with such talented set designers like Miren Oller.

Elninodiablo’s new EP ‘Spirit’ will be out on all platforms March 4 and is already available via bandcamp.