As I expressed in my previous post, I am excited by the prospect of creating a music video within this subject that serves professional purpose. Music videos have historically served as promotional vehicles for musical artists wherein the sonic and lyrical properties of the song are given some sort of extra effect, and the artists themselves (particularly in pop music) are generally presented and promoted. A music video may give insight to the artist’s intention for a song, it may visually respond to the dynamics of the music, or it may serve to make the artist appear in a certain light (not exhaustive).

My group is working with Melbourne-based indie rock (or as they prefer, “Jizz Rock”) band Pockets following the release of their first single for 2016, “Ten Different Names”. The song is a vibrant, summer anthem, and has been released with a slick artwork and image provided by local artist Chris Watts. The artwork to me is the marriage of Arctic Monkeys’ “Do I Wanna Know?” and Tame Impala’s “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” music video imagery: quite slick while still inviting a healthy dose of psychedelic chaos. After some discussion, this is the feel that we’re deciding to run with, with emphasis on a summery feel that mirrors the quality of the song itself.

The video is only in its early stages of conceptualisation at this point, and a meeting with the band is in the process of being scheduled. There are many things to consider beyond the aesthetic presentation that we currently have a pretty clear idea of, for instance, whether the video will reflect aspects of the lyrics, whether it will somehow incorporate the band themselves, how much it will correlate with the band’s current image (perhaps we will need to specifically consult their artist – however this will probably create cost), and what sort of materials and equipment we will be working with.

On a separate note, my own band was fortunate enough to open for Pockets at their single launch last Friday. Their live show was energetic, explosive, entertaining and involving. They created a space that felt not only occupied, but shared by all. This is a quality of the band that is perhaps one of their strongest qualities, and it might be worth considering this somehow in the creation of the music video.