American Beauty EP – Skin Back Alley

Bruce Springsteen has released his directorial debut – a short film to accompany his song, “Hunter Of Invisible Game.”

Co-directed by long-term Springsteen collaborator Thom Zimny, the film sees Springsteen portray a lonely, haunted survivor of an unspecified apocalyptic tragedy, wandering in woodland searching for his humanity, and remembering his friends and family in times gone by.

Rather than what may sound like a sci-fi spectacle, the film is beautifully shot, impressionistic, downbeat and entirely in keeping with the tone and texture of the song.

“For a long part of the year, Thom Zimny and I have been talking about shooting a short film for ‘Hunter Of Invisible Game,'” Springsteen said via his website. “We’ve finally got the job done, and we think it’s one of our best. Thanks Thom for the hard work and brotherly collaboration. You and your crew bring it all. And to all of you out there in E St. Nation, we hope you enjoy! See ya up the road.”

Speaking in interview with Rolling Stone, Springsteen revealed that the song had started as just a title, and only later developed into a full song after he was inspired by some apocalyptic literature.

“The idea of these travellers in the wasteland, and what’s the guy trying to do? He’s trying to hold onto their humanness, their humanity in all of this ruin. That was the idea. That’s who this guy is, the guy who is hunting out remnants of what makes the spirit. It was one of those songs that came together a certain way and I didn’t think much about it when I wrote it. I put it away. Now it’s probably one of my favorite things on the record.”

“Hunter Of Invisible Game” is lifted from High Hopes, Springsteen’s eighteenth studio album released in January of this year. The album debuted at No.1 in charts across the world. Four tracks that didn’t make the album were released separately on the American Beauty EP, which Springsteen released to celebrate Record Store Day in April 2014.

You can watch the 10 minute film via Bruce Springsteen’s official website.

Bruce Springsteen is to have his own online museum.

Blindedbythelight.com is set to launch in June to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the rock legend’s Born In The USA album. Over 300 items will feature in the initial collection, ranging from vintage concert posters to sheets of hand-written lyrics. More items will be added over time.

The site’s creator, Michael Crane, has said that the museum will run contests every six months or so, with signed album artwork being offered as a prize for the first competition.

Springsteen is currently touring in the USA, and recently performed a 40 year old song, “Linda Let Me Be The One”, live for the first time ever. He also released a four track EP, American Beauty, for Record Store Day on the 19th April, and you can watch the video for the title track below.