Kyle Garrett on “Old Death”

In his music video directorial debut, Oakland-based filmmaker Kyle Garrett explores time, memory, and mortality in Old Death, the first single from Car Colors, the new project by Charles Bissell, formerly of The Wrens. Garrett, an award-winning filmmaker known for his work with brands like Google and Airbnb, brings his technical expertise and personal passion for music to this introspective and visually rich piece.

“Old Death” is deeply reflective, set against the backdrop of an old, detuned portable television. Garrett explains the significance of this central motif: “Charles mentioned wanting to make an infomercial as an homage to those old ‘Pure Moods’ compilations you’d see in the 90s. While we didn’t go in that direction, the idea of a CRT television stuck. It’s a relic—something you might find in your dad or grandpa’s shed, abandoned and forgotten. That felt right as a metaphor for decay and the passage of time.”

The collaboration between Garrett and Bissell came with its challenges but also yielded unexpected rewards. “Charles was incredibly receptive and generous with my ideas,” Garrett shares. “We had a very short window to pull this off, and I was worried we’d get bogged down in back-and-forths. Instead, we clicked almost immediately. It was like building the plane while flying it, and Charles was so encouraging and available throughout the process.”

Garrett’s connection to Bissell’s earlier work played a pivotal role in shaping the video’s creative direction. “When I moved to San Francisco in 2004, I was listening to The Meadowlands by The Wrens—one of my all-time favorite albums. I never imagined I’d one day direct a music video for Charles. That connection gave me an intangible sense of clarity; I just knew what felt right for the vibe of the piece.”

The video’s haunting imagery draws inspiration from iconic films of the 80s and 90s. “We thought about E.T., Poltergeist, and the way it felt to watch those films,” Garrett notes. Working with cinematographer Aaron Fagerstrom, they relied on natural light and meticulous post-production techniques to bring the detuned television to life. “We wanted the imagery within the TV to feel authentic, even though it was digitally composited. TVs with bad reception were our guiding light.”

Garrett describes the process of creating Old Death as joyful. “We shot the video on November 2nd and 3rd, 2023, and had to deliver it by the 16th. It was a whirlwind, but it never felt like a chore. When we watched the final cut, my wife gave me high fives every time she loved a moment. That’s when it hit me—I had a brief little cry. It was an amazing feeling.”

The detuned television serves as more than just a logistical solution—it symbolizes the challenges of the artistic process in a digital age. “It feels emblematic of the loneliness and struggle to break through,” Garrett reflects. “Even great work can fall through the cracks. But it also became a profound way to convey the themes of the song.”

For Garrett, Old Death represents a full-circle moment, blending his love for Bissell’s music with his filmmaking expertise. “Great music videos are a miraculous way to tell a story or convey a feeling. I hope we achieved that. This project has inspired me to chase that rare groove where the creative process feels effortless.”

As audiences watch Old Death, Garrett hopes they’ll connect with its timeless themes while finding their own interpretations. “The video exists to serve the music. If it helps people connect with the song, that’s the ultimate goal. Anything beyond that—like viewers creating their own meanings—is a bonus.”

Old Death is playing at the Utah International Film Festival. Tickets are available here.