"Empty Pages" is the latest gothic masterpiece from the ever-enigmatic Zumi Rosow, brought to life under the direction of visionary photographer and director Robert Ascroft. This multimedia project is more than just a song—it’s an immersive experience that blends music, film, and high fashion into one dark, moody package. Set to be the second single from Ascroft's upcoming 2025 album on the Hand Drawn Dracula label, "Empty Pages" sees Zumi’s magnetic presence front and center in a haunting short film and an editorial spread for IRK Magazine. Drawing on influences from Caravaggio’s intense chiaroscuro to modern punk flair, the project creates a stunning fusion of gothic renaissance and contemporary edge. With Zumi’s unique style and raw talent at the core, "Empty Pages" is a bold statement in both music and fashion.
IRK: What is EMPTY PAGES?
“Empty Pages is a gothic multimedia project that I wrote and directed, featuring the multi-talented Zumi Rosow. The project revolves around a song of the same title, which will be the second single from my upcoming album set to release early 2025 via the Hand Drawn Dracula record label. I wrote and performed the entire album, and Zumi’s unique blend of vocal styling and fashion icon made her the perfect collaborator for bringing this song to life. The project includes a short film/music video that I directed, capturing Zumi’s captivating presence. Alongside this, I shot an editorial photoshoot for Irk magazine, blending elements of nostalgia and gothic renaissance with influences from Caravaggio’s paintings and punk rock editorials from vintage Italian Vogue. My vision was to create a timeless visual narrative, and Zumi’s ability to hold dramatic poses allowed us to achieve something truly special.”
IRK: You work with the biggest names in music, film and television, how did you end up choosing Zumi for this project? “
Rosow: Zumi Rosow is an icon, both in the music world with her performances in The Black Lips and in the fashion industry, where she has inspired some of the most innovative designers, including Alessandro Michele while he was Creative Director at Gucci. As his muse he even named the Zumi handbag after her. Her unique blend of musical talent and style made her the obvious choice for this project. Her musical ability and distinct look were integral to the vision I had for Empty Pages. Taste is everything and I needed someone who understood the direction I wanted to take with the project. I couldn’t imagine anyone else bringing this project to life the way she has. She’s truly one of a kind.”
IRK: How did you and Zumi meet and how did the collaboration come about?
Rosow: “We have a mutual friend Ian Svenonius who is the singer of The Make-up and his latest project Escape-izm. I have been friends with Ian for a number of years and working on some music/ visual projects with him over the last few years and he helped make the intro. Fortunately for me Zumi was in L.A. and had a few days free before they left for tour and I sent her the song. Most of the collaborations I have are because I know someone who knows someone. “
IRK: Tell us about the video and stills shoot?
Rosow: “The video and stills shoot for Empty Pages was a meticulously crafted project that took weeks of collaboration with my production team, Magic Creative Works. I was fortunate to work with Kari Dexter, who has collaborated with legends like Nick Cave and Lou Reed, and her partner Russ Lemkin, who brought a wealth of experience from the music and film worlds. Together, we assembled a team of talented creatives to bring the visual aspect of this project to life. My longtime Director of Photography, Raoul Germain, was instrumental in capturing the renaissance-inspired look I envisioned. Styling was crucial to giving the project a fashion editorial feel, and I worked closely with a trio of stylists—Brittny Moore, Alejandro Lara, and Tiffani Rae—to pull the looks together. We aimed to infuse a bit of rock ‘n’ roll into the renaissance aesthetic, which is why we paired latex gloves with a couture dress. This blend of modern and historical elements created a distinctive and timeless visual experience. All of this made it made the feel modern and not just like period costumes from the renaissance era. ”
IRK: How did the song come about?
Rosow: “I had time on my hands in spring of 2020 to work on my own creative projects for obvious reasons. The lyrics emerged first, and I held onto them because I value simplicity and directness in my writing. Although the song isn’t about anyone in particular, the themes are universal, allowing listeners to project their own experiences onto it. Over the years, Empty Pages went through multiple variations, and while one version was nearly finalized, it just didn’t capture the emotion I was aiming for. I decided to rewrite the music in a major key, which instantly brought the song to life. It was then that I envisioned Zumi’s involvement and began conceptualizing a dark, gothic-style video to accompany the song. It took about a year to finalize the record, but once it was mastered, we dove into the visual aspects of the project.”
Red Jacket : YSL Archive, Black Latex Briefs : Busted Brand, Cross Earrings : Blumarine,
Black Tights & Red Heels : Stylist’s Own
IRK: Who produced this music?
Rosow: “I wrote and performed the guitar, bass, keyboards and tambourine. Drums were recorded by me with Derek James performing. I wanted a simple beat along the lines of Mo Tucker of The Velvet Underground. Mo is a big influence to both Zumi and myself when it comes to rhythm section. I was also the producer of the song. We recorded the vocal with Enrique Tena Padilla at The Cube but after that I took the vocal stems and produced and mixed the track. I worked with mastering engineer Josh Bonati in Brooklyn, who is one of the best in the business to get it ready for the vinyl and digital release.
IRK: Robert Ascroft’s favorite list
Rosow: Song by someone else: “This is always a tough choice, but right now, Goodbye Horses by Q Lazzarus is resonating with me.”Restaurant: “In Los Angeles, my go-to is the vegetarian restaurant Elf although they expanding the menu to include some meat now”Cafe: “Proof in Atwater is where I find the perfect coffee and one of the best chocolate croissants in town.”City: “Paris—always Paris. It’s where my heart feels at home.”Clothing Shop: “Every trip I make time for Closet Case in Soho/London. They always have something unique.”Fashion Designer: “Currently, I’m really into The Viridi Anne by designer Tomoaki Okaniwa—his Japanese-inspired cuts are just stunning.”
IRK: The United Nations set forth 17 GLOBAL GOALS. What goal do you most align with and why ?
Rosow: For me, addressing climate change is paramount. We’re already seeing the adverse effects of global warming, and it’s critical that clean air and renewable energy become top priorities for governments worldwide. Regardless of political affiliations, I believe we should all agree on the importance of preserving our planet for future generations. It’s not just a matter of politics; it’s a matter of survival and responsibility.”
Photographer/Director / Robert Ascroft (@robertascroft)
STYLING TEAM Alejandro Lara (@imnude), Brittny Moore (@brittnymoore) & Tiffani Rae (@tiffaniraestyles)
MAKEUP / Nichole Servin (@thenicholeservin)
HAIR / Bryan Gaw (@bryangaw)
D.O.P. / Raoul Germain (@mrraoulx)
FIRST AC / Andy Sladek (@andy_sladek)
STEADYCAM / Justin Wilson (@yeahwhiplash)
PRODUCTION TEAM Magic Creative Works (@magiccreativeworks)
@russlemkin + @karibombbomb
PA / Rachel Boily (@rachelboily)
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