Music for the Deaf!

(SEATTLE, WASHINGTON) – Original rock band Indigo Soul just released a new music video aimed at sharing their music and lyrics with deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. The new video “A Long Time” is a representation of the band’s relationship ballad told in stunning visual vignettes and accompanied by American Sign Language throughout. Indigo Soul worked with Director Marc Castillo of the Seattle Art Institute and a stellar cast and crew to develop the creative storytelling techniques explored in the video.
“I found the video very interesting and imaginative. I've never seen an interpreter presented that way, and I think the montage techniques are quite effective.” says Bill Graham, Founder, Association of Late-Deafened Adults (ALDA) and a member of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees. Graham believes the video will help make music videos more understandable and accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The video project was started by Indigo Soul founder and songwriter Mark Protus as a way to share his musical ideas and lyrics with his daughter Marissa who is deaf. Mark and friend and actress Vanessa Iles (also the parent of a deaf daughter) originally began incorporating sign language and dance into the band’s live performances which led them to work with director Castillo to expand those experiences to the screen.
“It’s important for me to think about ways to share my passion for music with my daughter, who is such an important part of my life.” said Protus. “The video is an attempt at having a conversation with my daughter … to capture the story, emotions, and feelings that come about with music.”
The band and the video are also featured in the upcoming independent film called, “Lost on the B Side” by Directors Ltd.

The video can be seen on the band’s website: http://www.indigosoul.com
The story behind the video can be seen at: http://indigosoul.com/indigointerview.mov