1000
“And “Best Music Video” was awarded to the moving ballad and equally sweet visuals of 1000 from singer /songwriter /director Lucas Alexander Kurmis.”
-Dean Bertram, MidWest Weirdfest
I started this project with the last song on the album, That Feeling you Get in Public Spaces. I haven’t yet made a full album. I thought I’d start big with a visual album.
I thought I died
“I Thought I Died is confrontational, abrasive, and utterly transfixing.”
-Amelia Vandergast, ANR Music Factory
This all started out of necessity, or it felt that way. Recording was taking up time and money, which I didn’t have much when I started. I thought I’d make a music video while I’m still working on the recordings. I made the music video for That Feeling you Get in Public Spaces with videos I posted on Instagram, which inspired the whole format
Back in 420BC
“Despite the fact that they used BC instead of BCE for us non-Christians (sorry I’m a history teacher), he does a fucking great job of putting his own dope ass spin on the song.”
-Scott (Mr. P.) Pasch, DCxPC
From there, the ideas just kept coming for each video.
This is a Story
The corresponding poem was published in Querencia Spring 2023
Featured on Minnesota Homebrew Radio on Pioneer 90.1
Some videos were simplistic, others were complex.
Escape in Someone Else
“At times animated through stop motion, and at times live-action, the fragments presented in the video form an unsettling and effective whole, discarding traditional structure and substituting its own logic for the viewer to follow.”
-Dan DeMarco, Melodic Noise Magazine
I always have a visual element in mind when making music. To me, a visual album felt only natural.
Send me a Line
“kinda Bob Dylan feel with a gritty approach of realism and saying whats on your mind. Bad ass and very tripping cool and punkest even with the acoustic happening, you nailed it. keep bringing it.”
-Brian Tussof, IndieMusicPeople
I was involved in every song and video, but some videos I let others step in or take over.
I got to work with other musicians, artists, animators, drag kings, choreographers, and other friends. I feel really honored for all of the work and care that so many people put into this album.
I wanted each song to have its time, its light.
But it is taking way longer than I thought it would.
Why?
“There’s something very modern about the sound of Lucas’ work and something timeless about the themes and something retro about the video rock opera approach. It’s an immersive experience to listen and watch the music, especially since it often leans more experimental.”
I don’t regret it. I’ve had a blast making this. I’ve worked with so many people and made so many amazing songs and videos.
I had a couple runs with the Devil
This video was featured in a block of “Strange Snippets” at Midwest Weirdfest 2023 along with “Why” and “One Soul”
I probably won’t do anything like this again though.
One Soul
“The effect of that is the devil and the silhouette playing is very striking and then that line that’s, that’s even creepier than the boat ride [from Willy Wonka].”
-Ann Treacy, Mostly MN Music
This is still a work in progress. There are still a few more videos yet to release. But don’t count it out. Lots of good stuff to come.
That Feeling you Get in Public Spaces
“It’s one of those songs you really really wanna lock eyes with someone to – like lock eyes with them at a concert and then walk for hours and then fall in love to.”
– Walt Smits, Backyard 2
While a few final details are getting sorted out, you can still preorder the album and expect a release on June 19, 2026.
Preorder Now
Email me and preorder the album or film (contribution breakdown below). Each purchase will contribute to mutual aid, knowing your donation will go towards feeding Minneapolis neighbors.
$5 – Title credit
$10 – Digital music download
$15 – CD
$25 – DVD
$30 – Director commentary
$50 – Flash drive with all project files