Nostalgia and sci-fi will bring forth Stranger Things references, but Andrew Donoho is plumbing deeper themes of loss and emotion in this magical clip for Jai Wolf.
We've seen lots (and lots) of weed in music videos, but now we finally have one from marijuana's point of view, from seed to harvest to blunt-smoking good times (until the Feds show up).
Welcome to Atlanta's Cascade roller rink, where people from all walks of life take a break for a roller skating jam.
John Merizalde, director: "Growing up in Atlanta, Cascade was a place that always fascinated me. When I was a teenager, I had the experience of spending an evening at this unassuming roller skating rink on the west side. What immediately stuck out to me was the energy - the Cascade crowd was diverse, the music was electric, and the movement was contagious. I realized this wasn't just a place to skate; it was a subculture, a community.
When I heard "Holding Back" I realized this was not only the perfect opportunity to create a memorably groovy video but also a lasting tribute for this magical place. The track has a palpable sexiness that perfectly compliments the smoothness of Cascade skaters. Beyond the surface level coolness however, we wanted to layer some moodier undertones to match the lyrics, leaving us with a hybrid narrative doc that hopefully resonates with viewers.
If anything, I hope this video motivates some of you to get up and grab a pair of skates."
The troubles of young, forbidden love could be a typical tale, which is why director John Merizalde sets the action in a town under the spell of an unusual cult.
John Merizalde, director: "When I first listened to the track, I was reminded of a small rural town in Georgia called Bethlehem, about an hour away from where I grew up. That, coupled with the themes behind the track — basically a critique against religiously motivated violence and hate — were the initial catalyst for theidea. The use of 16mm film and slow zooms were incorporated to hopefully give it a more old-school feel.
And no, I never attended a snake church growing up... Although I do know some people that did."
