#for more info get back to me (def don't go bothering Matěj or Assad okayay?)

[iwtv-az-hours]

Upcoming music video, collab with Assad Zaman

*I spoke to Matěj Metoděj Štrunc (Merde'em in Théâtre des Vampires) after a concert, most info is here + I'm adding some of the info into separate posts*

Regarding the teased new music video - Assad is not acting in it, he is the DIRECTOR!

We heard two songs from the upcoming album at the concert, sadly not this one. But the single Černé oči (Black eyes) should be out on March 28th, with the MV coming out the following week.

I first assumed AZ would be acting, because another director who worked with Matěj in the past was on the set too – but apparently on this project he was working the camera.

(MMŠ also mentioned he last spoke with Assad two weeks ago, implying that's when they worked on the video)

[iwtv-az-hours]

The Fox and the Grapes - update

*I spoke to Matěj Metoděj Štrunc (Merde'em in Théâtre des Vampires) after a concert, most info is here + I'm adding some of the info into separate posts*

Regarding the short film The Fox and the Grapes (producer/writer/director Assad Zaman, music by M.Štrunc):

Apparently, the distribution company is working to find place for it at film festivals - so it could be screened at some of them "either this summer, but more probably the following one"

Please keep in mind, he has this info 2nd hand, I’m telling you 3rd hand. Chinese whispers.

But Matěj added, that it actually was thanks to working on this project that they got to bond closer and strike up a friendship :)

[iwtv-az-hours]

So I've been to Matěj Metoděj Štrunc’s show on 21. March 2025 and I ended up having a nice lenghty chat with him backstage!

We've been discussing his music, but also his other work and iwtv.

I'll pick some tidbits y'all might find relevant (such as Merde'em's backstory, his s2 filming impressions, some info on his projects with Assad, etc.) ⬇️

Gotta start by saying his music is amazing (you should check him out!), really a musician's musician. I had such a blast at the concert! All the musicians are ridiculously talented, and they were also all darlings off stage. Much respect for Matěj's work + he's really sweet and lovely to talk to

On work with Assad

Okay, if you're only here for this, here's separate posts about the New music video, news on The Fox and the Grapes, and some extra bits about Assad and his work.

Read further for more general vampire shananigans!

Season 2 filming

Matěj laughed that The One resounding memory about the shoot were the contact lenses and what a pain they were.

4 days a week they‘d arrive at 5, at 7 the contacts would go in and they stayed in for a 10+ hour shoot.

A few hours in, they had to have a lady running around dripping artificial tears into everyone’s eyes!

And because the contacts were coloured, he often found it difficult to see anything at all through them.

He actually intended to read the IWTV book on set, but found out he can’t – he couldn’t see the pages properly!

Merde’em ’s backstory

I hope I recalled it correctly 😭

He’s the youngest of the musician vampires - oldest Basilic (from og coven) was tasked with recruiting a band for the Théâtre. 1st to be turned was Planche, then Merde’em.

He used to be an army musician. The vampires heard him play and liked it, so they caught him one night drunk on his way from a pub. They gave him a choice to join the Théâtre as a vamp and he agreed.

They also had roles – Basilic would be the band leader, Merde’em wrote all the music, and Planche... Planche played drums.

Matěj said he couldn't properly recall the backstories of other TdV vamps - each actor received an email with their short backstory, but only their own!

He enthusiastically said how „really all the actors on the set were so great, and they were all friendly and got along very well.“

I basically told him I’d be excited to hear anything about the characters that didn’t get a chance to shine through – cause they spent months living with these roles and what ends up on the show is a few glances. He immediatelly agreed that that’s what it’s like from their perspective as actors too, they put a lot of work into it, but never know which little bits the audience actually end up seeing.

He looked very happy and willing to talk about the filming and the character, but struggled to think of what more he could tell me, that there isn‘t much 😁

Small disclaimer

This conversation took place in Czech, I'm translating it to EN. Band was dismanteling instruments nearby, so here-and-there it was hard to hear one another. Trying my best here to summarize what I heard, but there might be little details I got slightly wrong. Also, obvsly I'm leaving some bits out, either cause they're not really iwtv related, or I'm trying to be respectful with what was shared with me.

To sum up

Three separate band members approached me to compliment my boots, 10/10 stellar evening, would do again!

And honestly, I can't wait for more Lidověk shows and the new album!

(post also on X, bsky)