Our small family did karaoke nights every Friday, and I realized that my step daughter (Lena CS) sings dark mood pop songs beautifully (she hadn’t really sung for a while), at the same time she went through an emotional process as she was neglected in school, she felt like a ghost. I empathized with her and got inspired to write a song for her. From the very beginning I imagined the music with video.
WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS WHEN YOU EMBARKED ON CREATING YOUR FIRST MUSIC VIDEO?
I didn’t really know what to expect exactly but I was very curious if I could make a video working which I never did before. I had some concept and script in my mind, but it was bit of a try and error too (we shot 100+ mins). Just like when composing, I was looking for good rhythm, balance, tension, release and resolution of scenes. I found it surprisingly similar to composing music.
It was a pleasure to work with Lena at documentary style shots as she could completely ignore me during shooting.
HOW DID YOU PERCEIVE THE PROCESS OF MAKING A MUSIC VIDEO IN RELATION TO CREATING MUSIC? WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU ENCOUNTER?
The music was about an inner journey, as I was composing I had images in my head (for the first time, i didn’t happen before). The challenges were that I had to learn everything from scratch including shooting, cutting, audio mixing with very simple gears as a cheap smartphone and a gimbal. Mostly I didn’t mind the simple devices, it suited well to the intimacy I was looking for.
HIS BEST MOBILE PHONE VIDEO OF SEASON 10 HERE:
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTRY IN MUSIC VIDEOS? WHAT SPECIAL ELEMENTS OF STYLE ARE YOU TRYING TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR MUSIC VIDEOS?
I feel it’s real, honest, emotinal, atmospheric, minimalist and symbolistic.
WHAT WERE THE REACTIONS AND FEEDBACK FROM YOUR AUDIENCE AFTER RELEASING YOUR INITIAL MUSIC VIDEO?
From close friends I got very enthusiastic and touching feedback. It hasn’t found the wider publicity yet to hear more comments.
DO YOU PLAN TO CREATE MORE MUSIC VIDEOS IN THE FUTURE? IF SO, CAN YOU SHARE ANY DETAILS ABOUT THESE PLANS?
Yes, we completed about 40% of the music video with Lena CS again. Musically it’s different, more pop, rap and electronic, still a bit dark in parts with a light at the end. It’s a sequel to the previous one. The inner journey continues. After “elevating” she “dreams on”.
Apart from the smartphone and a drone camera I plan to use a proper video camera as well for that project with the intention of creating a contrast between the first and the second section of “And I dream on”.
HOW DO YOU VIEW THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VISUAL ART IN MUSIC? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT MUSIC VIDEOS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE THE INTERPRETATION OF A SONG?
As a composer I’ve been always being told: “your music is like a film music”, “it should have video” etc. I think my music works on its own, but in recent cases it makes a whole with visuals.
HOW DO YOU ENVISION YOUR FUTURE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC GOALS OR PROJECTS YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
My style is really cross-genre, it cannot be really put to any one. So I have no target audience. I compose symphonies, chamber music, music for bands with unusual instrumentation. My goal is to “create” an audience / find my special audience. And take them on a long and unusual journey, which I have no idea where to be heading. Videos can definitely help that.
WHAT TRENDS OR CHANGES IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ARE YOU CURRENTLY ENCOUNTERING? DO YOU THINK THEY WILL IMPACT THE WAY YOU CREATE MUSIC AND MUSIC VIDEOS?
I haven’t really followed music videos, but now I’m watching more and there are a lot of interesting ones. Visually I’m rather impacted by Danish cinema.
HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSICIANS AND VISUAL CREATORS IN YOUR PROJECT? HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE TO ACHIEVE CREATIVE RESULTS?
It’s quite simple as it’s 4 of us: my wife, her daughter, our 4 years old and me. We are all very close and like to create together.
EMVA 2023