Star-Studded Auditions for a Frontman
Mumford & Sons have unveiled a music video for their track “Here,” turning the search for a lead singer into a comedic Hollywood casting call. Directed by Bradley J. Calder, the short film features actors Oscar Isaac, Shailene Woodley, and Paul Dano auditioning for the role of Marcus Mumford.
Band members Ted Dwane and Ben Lovett serve as the judges. Lovett, styled in a turtleneck and glasses, offers critical feedback alongside Dwane as the trio of stars vie for the frontman position. The track itself also features a guest vocal appearance by country artist Chris Stapleton.
The Creative Engine Behind ‘Delta’
“Here” serves as a centerpiece for the band’s 2024 album, Delta, which was helmed by producer Aaron Dessner. The song has become a fixture of their current North American tour, frequently performed as a duet with opening act Sierra Ferrell.
As the band maintains an international touring schedule running through late November, the focus has shifted toward what comes next. According to Ben Lovett, the group is currently in a period of intense creative output.
Workshopping New Material on the Road
In an interview with SPIN, Lovett revealed that the band is actively developing new material during soundchecks. Rather than letting the rigors of the road stall their progress, the group is using the tour to refine their songwriting.
“We’re always thinking about new music,” Lovett told SPIN. “We’ve been playing around with some stuff in soundchecks and we feel incredibly grounded and centered as a band right now.”
Harnessing Momentum
Lovett traces the band’s current philosophy back to their collaboration with Pharrell Williams two years ago. That experience seems to have sharpened their focus, pushing them to prioritize songwriting over the logistical demands of touring.
“Right now, in the metaphorical room, there’s a lot of songs kicking around and we just want to harness that,” Lovett said. “We find touring incredibly inspiring and we’re talking about what the next few years hold positively.”
Production and Future Outlook
- Video Concept: Oscar Isaac, Shailene Woodley, and Paul Dano portray potential replacements for Marcus Mumford in the official video for “Here.”
- Production: The track, which features Chris Stapleton, is part of the album Delta, produced by Aaron Dessner.
- Touring: The band is scheduled to tour internationally through late November.
- Future Plans: Ben Lovett confirmed in SPIN that the band is actively writing new material and feels “purposeful” regarding their future creative direction.