Canadian singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist known as BAD CHILD shares the cinematic music video for his latest single “Rouge,” with 21 Entertainment and Universal Music Canada alongside Capitol Records stateside and Virgin Records in the UK.

On the music video concept and imagery, director Clara Milo says, “The decision to shoot ‘Rouge's’ music video on volcanic land arose from yearning to unify two opposite realities, cleverly personified in BAD CHILD’s song as mere change of hue. In our case, the black and white look allowed to simplify this concept to its very core, without running the risk of getting entangled in an inorganic clash of colours,” she explains, adding: “And thus, the dark-ashened smoke which hunts down the two characters in the first half of the film turns into glittering white by the embrace of the song's climax. The explosive chorus needed to be burnt into the surreal, a soft-spoken fireball - a volcano releasing love and awe over the dark landscape of its past.”

The emotive track, featured on BAD CHILD’s debut album Free Trial, conveys an unfiltered outpouring of vulnerability. Speaking about the song, BAD CHILD says: “When I wrote ‘Rouge’ I really wanted to create a vignette of my experiences surrounding love and loss. From romance to family, I wanted it to be a nebulous status of a song that is reminiscent of an airplane terminal or a bus station. The video was really important to me and I really entrusted Clara Milo (Director) with the vision. She painted a truly wonderful earthly visual masterpiece to accompany the song.”

The video was shot in Iceland and was funded by RBC through the MVP Project. BAD CHILD was chosen to be a recipient of the grant last year. The MVP Project, with support from the RBC Foundation, was established to promote the intersection of emerging Canadian Recording Artists and Filmmakers through Music Video Production Grants valued between $5,000 and $15,000. The Music Video Production Project, a joint RBC x Music & Prism Prize initiative, is committed to supporting emerging artists. The MVP Project is administered by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

Over the past three years, BAD CHILD has quietly been gathering momentum as an artist. In the summer of 2019, he released his thematic debut EP Sign Up. He quickly became one of Canada’s most exciting exports; profiled in the Wonderland Magazine, Complex, HillyDilly, Sidewalk Hustle, Atwood Magazine, Toronto Star. BAD CHILD’s “Candy”, featuring Ryan Chambers, was included on the soundtrack for the highly publicized Netflix film, To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. The only Canadian to be featured on the album which includes tracks from Sofi Tukker, Marina, Gordi and more. Last year, Bad Child’s single “Blood” was featured in a global Apple Watch campaign. Back in Canada, his first radio single “Breathing Fire” peaked at top five on alternative radio and was nominated for a 2019 SOCAN Songwriting Prize alongside Dilly Dally, grandson and Kaytranda. BAD CHILD teamed up with fellow Canadians Justin Bieber, Geddy Lee, Avril Lavigne, Walk Off The Earth and many more on a Bill Withers cover of the classic “Lean On Me” for the historic airing of Stronger Together Tous Ensemble, a broadcast event paying tribute to frontline health workers and raising funds for Food Banks Canada in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BAD CHILD spent the last year reflecting on the music that shaped him, releasing a COVERS EP that included his own interpretations on songs by Harry Styles, Bill Withers and Soundgarden. As well, he flexed the production side of his artistry, experimenting with new sounds and instruments on his own tracks and collaborations.

BAD CHILD’s eccentric music and unique vision landed him on the festival circuit last summer playing some of the world’s most prestigious line ups including Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds and Osheaga. Earlier this year, BAD CHILD was gearing up to join grandson and NoMBe as support for concerts across North America. Both tours have been postponed in light of the global situation.