Song: "Heat Wave"
Artist: Snail Mail
Record Label: Matador Records
My Role: Director, Co-producer, DP, Editor, VFX
The brief came in and Lindsey Jordan wanted to be playing ice hockey.
3 weeks later, I'm standing in an ice hockey rink just outside Baltimore.
I love narrative videos, where I can bring cinematic storytelling into the project.
NPR Music said it was like "Twin Peaks meets The Mighty Ducks."
Song: "Forgiving Ties"
Artist: Deer Tick
Record Label: ATO Records
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor, VFX
10 Atoms management contacted me asking if I'd do a vid for these incredible musicians out of Rhode Island. I loved their sound and jumped at the chance to head north.
We've since done 5 live, in-studio, "session" vids, and two lyric videos.
(see below...)
Song: "Murder at the 18th Street Garage"
Artist: the Mountain Goats
Record Label: Merge Records
My Role: Post Supervisor, Editor, VFX, DP
Happy with the Deer Tick work, 10 Atoms asked if I could get a video by the esteemed Mountain Goats across the finish line. They had shot a bunch of footage on cell phones and said....good luck. I fleshed out a narrative with carefully curated and enhanced stock footage.
I also filmed John Darnielle on greenscreen to add his 'force ghost' into the vid.
My favorite comment on it: "The frenetic energy of that video is something else. Feels like a panic attack on film."
Song: "Life Twice"
Artist: Beau
Representation: MPH Management
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
I had been wanting to play with a poppy, neon look for some undefined project, and then fate brought me Beau. We clicked over a 90s neon aesthetic. An orgiastic explosion of pastel glows. The mandate was to be fun, colorful, and exploding with positive energy. I think we nailed it.
Song: "Tough Enough"
Artist: Ex Hex
Record Label: Merge Records
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor, VFX
It was such a thrill to do this incredibly ridiculous video for Ex Hex. All three of the members are incredible and have true rock bona fides, but the legendary Mary Timony (Helium) might be the name you recognize first.
The concept was to interrupt a throwback 80s video shoot...with nuclear apocalypse. Then, after a few years in the bomb shelter, rebuild the world using the power of music. 4min 36 sec? Plenty of time.
This was filmed in my old studio.
Song: "Conditions Wild"
Artist: Steve Gunn
Record Label: Matador Records
My Role: Director, Producer, Animator, Editor
My first video for Matador was this animated piece with Steve Gunn. I went really hard with the treatment, designing the 6 page pdf to look like a Naturalist Field Guide stuffed with photos and notes in the margins. That got me the gig, and I went equally as hard animating this "digital-cut-out" style inspired by Monty Python interstitials and The Wonder Pets.
Song: "Señor Coyote"
Artist: The Brandos
Record Label: Blue Rose Records
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
The Brandos have been on the scene since 1985 and they're still going strong. I connected with lead David Kincaid and we found that we lived 5 minutes away from each other. We quickly dove into production on this sun soaked piece about human trafficking. Not a fun topic, I grant you, but damn it's a powerful track.
I filmed the band in my studio and curated some very specific stock footage, often enhancing it greatly. I also added the translated lyrics on top in a dynamic way.
Song: "You"
Artist: Pearl and the Beard
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
Pearl and the Beard burned too bright. Fans still bemoan the bands' choice to part ways.
I was prepping this video when they were discussing things behind the scenes. The decision was made, but they decided to go ahead and make this video as a final gift to their fans.
Ironic that it's about missed opportunities and taking chances. I also think it's pretty fun.
And yep, that's the amazing Kat Cunning as one of our lead actresses. I brought in tons of artists I knew and the positive vibe on that set was bonkers.
Song: "What Kind of a World"
Artist: The Brandos
Record Label: Blue Rose Records
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
Another video for The Brandos.
Three time periods - the Civil War, the 1960s, and the near future.
But the concerns of a parent worried about the state of the world is a constant.
Some fans might know that David Kincaid produces solo albums that faithfully reproduce traditional Irish Civil War tunes.
The Civil War segments were filmed at Historic Richmondtown in Staten Island.
Song: "Sacrosanct"
Artist: Deer Tick
Record Label: ATO Records
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
Another video for Deer Tick.
Not quite a full video but a bit more complex than your standard Lyric Video.
Using the same set-up, we generated a Tour Announcement video for use across social media.
I also ended up with a paper shredder out of the deal, so that was pretty sweet.
INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
Song: "I Can Love You From Anywhere"
Artist: Austin Marolla
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
I've known Austin Marolla since we were in kindergarten, so seeing his talent grow and getting to work with him has been amazing.
This is an emotional piece, and tackles the devastation of the Pandemic head on. Austin was inspired to write the song when he saw a news clip of a woman who lost her husband to Covid-19 and was raising their children alone in the aftermath of that. Moved, he connected with her and she provided actual family footage for this video.
It also serves as a Thank You to the healthcare professionals who did everything they could and risked their lives on a daily basis to provide care to the sick.
Song: "The Santa Shake"
Artist: Austin Marolla
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Animator, Editor
Another video for Austin Marolla. This one is a joyous Christmas dance tune for the entire family, mixing live action footage with animated sections.
It'll make you smile, even in July. Give it a listen!
LIVE / SESSION VIDEOS
Song: "The Real Thing"
Artist: Deer Tick featuring Vanessa Carlton
Record Label: ATO Records
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
Getting to visit Deer Tick's own studio, and record five songs, stands as a career highlight. What makes this song especially important to me is the guest appearance of the amazing Vanessa Carlton. There was such power in the room that day, and you can sense it in this raw and emotional performance.
Song: "Orbit"
Artist: Nani FM
My Role: Director, Producer, DP, Editor
Recorded at the historic Snug Harbor Cultural Center's "Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art," Nani FM performs "Orbit." The audio recorded this day was used on her album...All the songs were recorded at culturally significant places in her hometown.