Ryan Gosling has a band. Yes, it’s true. It’s called Dead Man’s Bones, and in actuality it’s just Gosling and his pal Zach Shields. The two have just posted the video for their second single, "Name in Stone." And much like the first song, "In The Room Where You Sleep," it is downright eerie — but in a good way. Gosling’s deep, dark voice (reminiscent of Beirut’s Zach Condon) is the main attraction here. It’s just so hard to believe that booming voice is coming from someone who was so meek and soft-spoken in Lars and the Real Girl.
When the video for "In The Room Where You Sleep" debuted a few months ago, I was simultaneously surprised and intrigued. Surprised because I didn’t even know Gosling could, you know, sing. (I obviously had forgotten about his stint on the Mickey Mouse Club.) And intrigued because the music had such a bizarre, other-worldly tone to it. With its Gothic sensibilities and haunting choir of costumed children (pictured), "Sleep" wouldn’t be out of place in a horror movie. Or, as others have pointed out, on an Arcade Fire album.
The "Name in Stone" video features more costumed children (this time perched atop tree branches), a random woman in white holding her baby, and Gosling ditching his piano for a guitar. The song might not be as catchy as the duo’s first, but the elements are obviously there for a really interesting debut album. Dead Man’s Bones’ MySpace page cryptically says "album soon," but it’s been rumored for later this summer. I’m anticipating it. How about you? Watch their two videos after the jump and weigh in: will Ryan Gosling be one of the few actor-turned-musician success stories? Or is Dead Man’s Bones too strange?
Dead Man’s Bones: "Name in Stone"
DEAD MAN’S BONES – "NAME IN STONE" from biz3 publicity on Vimeo.
Dead Man’s Bones: "In the Room Where You Sleep"
It’s possible he can find success in music. look at jard leto and his band.
Frist!
my band is awful, trust me!
THIS BAND IS GREAT
You obviously have no musical backround “Lared”
I recordeded atrack with Ryan and Bruce Willis for a “Do they know it’s Christmas?” album and it’s coming out sometime this July. It’s Hot!
Awful, almost as bad as 5 Seconds to Mars…Tremendously pitiful.
I disagree strongly.
I think the music is great! Especially Name In Stone
i too STRONGLY dis agree his music is great
or Musician turned actor? Which is easier? I say A turned M is…although Director turned Musician is tough
Woo-Hoo! A London, Ontario boy. Just like me. I wish he were gay… just like me.
But we both have 4skin!
i absolutely love this.
How big of a boner did you have when you wrote this?
this reminds me too much of The Arcade Fire. way too similar for my taste.
his voice sounds nothing like zach condon’s.. but this is decent.
Gosling’s musical escapades are pedestrian at best. Comparing him to Zach Condon is misleading… Beirut is in an entirely different league.
See, the fact is, he knows he’s not a professional musician, and readily admits it, but it doesn’t stop him from producing stunning sounds. Today, virtuosity is not the goal of musical endeavors; it’s the unadulterated communication of an impression, the capturing and perfect relaying of a distinct emotion. I think Gosling succeeds. I haven’t heard music that’s made me feel something so distinct and so unique in a very long time. I commend the man.
I love your take on this. I want to quote you.
I thought this was bizarre and creepy and absolutely awesome! I am definitely intrigued. I hope they do put out an album. I would have never thought Ryan’s voiced sounded like that.
didn’t expexct the music to be this good… definitely worth checking out… hope the album is consistent
He does sound Zach Condon to my ear — a little bit of Elvis thrown in there too. But the quality of the audio on this vid is much lower than the Beirut tracks I have on my iPod, so I’m not sure a comparison can accurately be made at this point.