Deckhead 2.0

I’ve been really excited about writing this piece; it brings together the two things I love most – art and music. I’ve decided to share with you my personal favourite videos for both their artistic direction or ability to enhance a piece music. Unfortunately due to our lack of bandwidth I can only provide you with direct links to each of the videos. If you’ve seen them before, hopefully you’ll be able to share my enthusiasm. Please don’t watch the videos half-heartedly, it completely defeats the purpose and you’re better off not watching at all. I want you’re full attention on that video, preferably listening with a good set of speakers or headphones, deal? Deal.

My first video clip is a recent discovery for me. I heard this song quite a while back, but seeing the accompanying video clip really brought it to life for me.  Great colours, great location, and some fantastic fancy footwork.

‘Kiss of Life’ – Friendly Fires (YouTube – click HQ)

Simple. Effective. Great.

‘Crystal’ – New Order (VodPod)

To prove that I’m not just into cute boys with whacky dance moves, I’ve included this clip. Probably my all time favourite, directed by Martin de Thurah, a genius. I strongly recommend you go check out some other clips by him; I love the advertising campaign he did for IKEA called ‘Home’. Anyways back to this film clip; I have a fascination with things in suspension, so it’s no wonder I’ve included this clip.  The model levitates along the streets while floating houses pass overhead and the leaves are picked up by the violent winds, it’s like a more sinister take on the beginning of The Wizard of Oz. It’s such an intricate and enigmatic video.  An acquired taste, but I personally think it’s phenomenal.

‘What Else is There?’ – Röyksopp (Vimeo)

Next up is a video done by the Sydney design team MATHEMATICS. I remember when I first saw this clip I was completely blown away, the colours are so vivid its like candy, screen becomes lick-worthy. I love the composition of the frame with Luke on the bike just staring at the camera and Nick lying on the ground. It illustrates the main reason why I’ve included this video; it’s like every frame could easily be a still shot photograph, so beautiful.  On a personal note, finding out that MATHEMATICS – a leading graphic design company that works closely with the music industry, created this video as well as some other amazing work, has reignited the reason why I want to be (and am) studying graphic design, and that’s a big deal for me, so for that, I’m also grateful to this video.

‘Walking on a Dream’ – Empire of the Sun (Vimeo)

This clip, directed by Mark Romaneck, never fails to leave me distraught after watching it. While I do love Nine Inch Nails, I really think that Johnny Cash’s cover is better, and it’s video clip compliments it so well. It does the art of montage so perfectly that it leaves you in awe at the end.  The lyrics, the imagery, the pace… its heartbreaking to watch, but fantastic at the same time. To see the contrast between Cash in his youth and then to him now singing the song is really nostalgic. When the piano crescendos towards the end.. gfkoaifghieorhgirhre .. it kills me! Recorded just before his death, it makes the video and song almost sting you with pain.

‘Hurt’ (Nine Inch Nails cover) – Johnny Cash (Vimeo)

I’m sure there are many MANY more videos that deserve a mention, but that’s all folks.

Alyssa