The Killers have become synonymous with their hometown of Las Vegas. It’s hard to separate the image of Brandon Flowers from bright lights and dust, but today Nova Scotia’s Gabrielle Papillon has offered a very different perspective on one of the band’s hits. Covering “Human” from The Killers’ 2008 album Day & Age, Papillon shows us a nylon-powered version of the song that’s been stripped down from a grand anthem to something a little more earthly.
Papillon’s performance shouldn’t come as a surprise for fans, as her Killers’ cover has become a staple of Papillon’s live shows as a popular encore number.
Filmed at The state51 Conspiracy, Papillon & Co. deliver a decidedly mellow take on the song. With The Killers asking “are we human? Or are we dancer?” Papillon has clearly chosen to identify with the former. Where The Killers ring out with the sound of big glitzy showmanship, Papillon instead delicately coaxes out a tender and imperfect rendition, warts and all.
Metaphorically, Papillon’s take on the song is well suited to the message of her latest album, Shout, which has championed a sense of self in an increasingly dehumanized world.
The strong contrast between the two versions of the song brings into questions more about the original, and what side of that divide Flowers fell on. Was he merely a puppet, forced into a role by the demands of his environment? How does he feel about plurals?
The release of the video comes along with the announcement of Papillon’s month-long cross-Canada tour dates in support of her album.
Tour Dates:
03.28.20 – Winnipeg, MB @ Cluster Festival *
03.31.20 – Nokomis, SK @ House Concert *
04.01.20 – Regina, SK @ Artesian Lounge *
04.02.20 – Saskatoon, SK @ The Bassment *
04.03.20 – North Battleford, SK @ SHE-nanigans *
04.04.20 – Camrose, AB @ Fika Coffeehouse *
04.05.20 – Olds, AB @ Town Square
04.07.20 – Edmonton, AB @ The Aviary *
04.09.20 – Calgary, AB @ Festival Hall *
04.15.20 – Golden, BC @ Whitetooth Brewery
04.16.20 – Kamloops, BC @ House Concert
04.18.20 – Lion’s Bay, BC @ House Concert
04.19.20 – Vancouver, BC @ LanaLou’s
05.09.20 – Toronto, ON @ Burdock (early show)
*with Raine Hamilton