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Andy @ Las Bandas Be Brave

Production Company

Common People Films

Thomas Davis reunites with Soft Play for another highly entertaining&nbsp;adventure - this time within the strange, obsessive&nbsp;world of&nbsp;bodybuilding.&nbsp;Having survived a horde of super-aggressive kids in the <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2023/09/04/soft-play-ft-robbie-williams-punks-dead-thomas-davis/83040" target="_blank">marvellous Punk's Dead video</a>, Isaac and Laurie of Soft Play (fka Slaves)&nbsp;have repaired to the relative safety of the gym for Mirror Muscles - even if this is a place where size definitely matters.&nbsp;With a supporting cast of super-ripped bodybuilders, capable of flexing their pecs to the percussive beat of the track, the duo and the director&nbsp;weave&nbsp;lyrical cues and visual motifs resonating with the song in a succession of scenes featuring bench-pressing, oiled-up flesh, tight-fitting (and virtually invisible) attire, and&nbsp;laugh-out-loud moments.It's a characteristically slick and vibrant world from Davis, featuring his trademark talent for visual humour and quick-read cameos, while focussing on the&nbsp;personality, wit and verbal dexterity of the band, as singer Isaac Holman&nbsp;delivers in a quick-fire barrage of bodybuilding-related quips.And although Isaac and Laurie look small&nbsp;(ie normal) next to the hulking figures around them, they eventually strip off to reveal their own gym-work. Impressive![imgtoken data:1][imgtoken data:2]

United Kingdom

Thomas Davis

Jake River Parker

Jake Erland

Charles Gamble

Okay Studio

Rock

Soft Play 'Mirror Muscles' by Thomas Davis

Soft-Play-'Mirror-Muscles'-by-Thomas-Davis

We've all been there - breakfast with the parents, as the environment slowly slips into a nightmarish hellscape with demons and horse-headed strangers eating your food...Oh, you haven't?&nbsp;Well, Amber Van Day has, and let's just say things only get weirder from there, in Jamie Neal's video for Bug Eyes.&nbsp;The video is an exciting, evocative feat, with brilliant art direction and a peppering of fun visual effects. A great&nbsp;match to the otherworldly track, climaxing in a&nbsp;thought-provoking ending&nbsp;has Amber questioning her reality.&nbsp;

Lily Purbrick

Maggie McDermott

Jenn Sanders

Jamie Neal

Erin Sullivan

Charlie Relph

Jack Maddison

Ramy Dance

Heba Elgamal

Rozemarijn Stokkel

Martina Derosa

Chris Hutchings

Stitch Editing

Jonny Tully

CHEAT

Shivam

Amber Van Day 'Bug Eyes' by Jamie Neal

Amber-Van-Day-'Bug-Eyes'-by-Jamie-Neal

Ruth Hunduma directs a stylish&nbsp;performance promo for&nbsp;Frank Carter &amp; The Rattlesnakes.The video for Self Love is enigmatic, trippy and a little bit sexy, bursting with the same energy the group are known for during their live performances.&nbsp;The use of a garish yellow-red colour palette adds to the hypnotic appeal of the visual, whilst the editorial-style portraits towards the end of the concept give it an elevated feel.&nbsp;A dazzling display of raw energy and a brilliant peek inside the new album.[imgtoken data:1]&nbsp;

Jade Adeyemi

Katya Bourvis

Taise Kerr

Dan Kreeger

Ruth Hunduma

Natalia Rodriguez

Adam Barnett

George Telfer

Sue King

Amir Moulfi

Joel Rosenberg

Patrycja Cygan

Isabella Furness

Sasha Chudeeva

Dasha Taivas

Raphael Arcadios

Amanda Marie-rose

Assembly Rooms

Max Ferguson-Hook

Time Based Arts

Artist Building

Shivam Solanki

Awal

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes 'Self Love' by Ruth Hunduma

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - Self Love (Official Video)

A pack of unruly kids give Soft Play a proper pasting in&nbsp;Thomas Davis' riotous promo for Punk's Dead.The comeback for the duo - known as Slaves until last year - sees&nbsp;the pair as bouncy castle salesman, setting up shop in a nondescript industrial location for the day.Things soon descend into chaos as the customers - a bunch of kids - start to grapple and beat down the pair, leading to a rather whimsical fever dream... starring Robbie Williams in the clouds. Yes, really.&nbsp;[imgtoken data:1]It's all rather brilliant. Plenty of daft charm and channelled aggression, with fine performances by the band and the kids (and Robbie) elevated by a distinctively gritty and raw aesthetic, for a track that satirises the backward thinking in Brexit Britain. It's a proper banger.And on this evidence, Punk is alive and well...&nbsp;

Hara Spyrou

Tatyana Alexandra

Chris Anthony

Julie Martins

Maddy Williams

Seven Mgmt

Luke C Harper

Rowan Mackintosh King

Tony Roberts

Sarah Anderson

Cerys Kenneally

Oli Hill

Kai Newton

Dylan Jones

Hebe Wallace

Joey Henshaw

Trim Editing

Dominic Phipps

Company 3

Punk rock

Soft Play ft Robbie Williams 'Punk's Dead' by Thomas Davis

Soft-Play-Feat-Robbie-Williams-'Punks-Dead'-by-Thomas-Davis

Eyelar is stuck in a loop of jealous comparison, in Thomas Davis' fantastic&nbsp;promo for Obsessed With Your Ex.&nbsp;In a handful of slick yet grimy vignettes, we see Eyelar stalking her boyfriend's ex over the internet, in her imagination and in a hauntingly surreal support group setting.&nbsp;Injected with Davis' keen eye for edgy pop aesthetics, the video is a rip-roaring good time with a brilliant central performance and a captivating dreamworld environment... and the ending will leave viewers questioning just how far Eyelar will go to keep her boyfriend's eyes solely on her.[imgtoken data:1]

Suzie Walsh

Las Bandas Be Brave

Kat Cattaneo

Jonny Boomer

Tom Patrick Coley

Dan Huntley

Sam Harding

Lea Aubigne

Rose Moya

Laura Chadwick

Maya Man

Eric Glez

Sony Music

Eyelar 'Obsessed With Your Ex' by Thomas Davis

Eyelar-'Obsessed-With-Your-Ex'-by-Thomas-Davis

Jake River Parker directs a second promo for NOISY, this time for riotous track Desire.&nbsp;In an enigmatic red industrial space, we see a mysterious character studying a screen, which is linked up to something behind a curtain in the distance.&nbsp;Eventually revealing the NOISY boys, the video cuts between a mixed-media performance setup and an on-screen display of&nbsp;hidden desires, running straight from vocalist&nbsp;Cody Matthews' brain.&nbsp;The atmospheric video balances snapshots of a narrative with a glitchy, textural aesthetic, all encapsulated in an intriguing concept.&nbsp;[imgtoken data:1][imgtoken data:2]

Katie South

Ruby Cara

Brandon Quan 

Giulio Piccirillo

Max Tuite

Montgomery Smith

Dom Phipps

Alternative

Indie Rock

NOISY 'Desire' by Jake River Parker

Noisy-'Desire'-by-Jake-River-Parker

Najeeb Tarazi directs superb promo for&nbsp;Arrdee &amp; Cat Burns that merges a very smart visual technique with real emotion.The innovative concept for Home For My Heart intertwines various portrait shots - of the artists and several narrative characters - with a clever mirrored transition, which blends together a series of 360 degree rotating shots.The video also packs an emotional punch, with heartfelt, intimate performances and enough narrative vignettes&nbsp;to make the lyrics feel really relatable and universal, and hint at the themes behind the track.&nbsp;Beautiful work and a timeless visual.&nbsp;[imgtoken data:1][imgtoken data:2]

Jinjo Casting

Nubia Lima

Najeeb Tarazi

John Hassay

Ahmet Husseyn

Philips Nortey

Stephan Knight

Rob Barlow

Samuel Harding

Chris Cole

Shani Mushington

Sunny Cradock

Zach Stone

Kristopher Smale

The Mill

Island Recordings

Arrdee & Cat Burns 'Home For My Heart' by Najeeb Tarazi

Arrdee-&-Cat-Burns-'Home-For-My-Heart'-by-Najeeb-Tarazi

In the latest in our series asking British music video-makers about their experiences last year and thoughts on the coming year, we grab some time with Ramy Dance, Managing Partner at <a href="https://www.commonpeoplefilms.com/" target="_blank">Common People Films</a>.&nbsp;Ramy recalls how 2022 went by in a blur of hectic activity in Common People's busiest year since it formed in 2018; and why he is optimistic about what 2023 will bring, both for the company and the industry as a whole.2022How would you describe last year in a few words?Exhausting.&nbsp;Well, exhausting but great in so many ways too! We got to work with some brilliant new acts with amazing music so I feel fortunate to have had a satisfying year in that sense.<blockquote>I sometimes feel like an addict looking for and unearthing new talent, so it was good to get my fix.</blockquote>What was your favourite project or projects you worked on last year?They were all brilliant in their own way to be fair. But if I had to name a few...- Cruel Santino's Beautiful Nothing – amazing track and Santi was awesome to work with as an artist and director.[vidtoken data:0]Above: Cruel Santino's Beautiful Nothing ft Gus Dapperton, directed by Santi- Kawala's&nbsp;Jesse Cmon – it's always an absolute pleasure being guided by the amazing mind of <a href="https://www.commonpeoplefilms.com/nysu" target="_blank">NYSU</a>- <a href="https://www.commonpeoplefilms.com/tommy-davis" target="_blank">Tommy Davis</a> had another busy and great year directing really strong videos for; Willow Kayne, Biig Piig, Murder Capital, BeaBadooBee and Joe Unknown. The boy is a machine, so looking forward to another strong year!- Piri &amp; Tommy's On &amp; On – was a fun one directed by the amazing Deadhorses- And lastly it was great to work with <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2022/07/08/yungblud-don%E2%80%99t-feel-feeling-sad-today-tom-pallant/77246" target="_blank">YungBlud</a>, directed by the lovely Tom Pallant[vidtoken data:1]Above: Kawala's Jesse C'mon, directed by NYSUAny other project you enjoyed that deserved more attention, or went under the radar?Navos's What It Feels Like by <a href="https://www.commonpeoplefilms.com/ben-newbury" target="_blank">Ben Newbury</a> was a joy to produce from start to finish with Alessia. Really clear creative with a great team behind it. We loved working on the XR stage and hope to do more this year. Big love to John Hassay!<blockquote>There seems to be a better joint understanding on the current state of the industry.</blockquote>What were the best aspects of the job last year?Meeting and developing new talent was really great. I sometimes feel like an addict looking for and unearthing new talent, so it was good to get my fix.I know this is debatable but we felt like the dust had settled a bit with regards to crew rates, negotiating and budgeting. Don’t get me wrong, budgets are still really challenging - the world is pretty screwed - but I feel like after we had lengthy discussions with the APA and the record labels, there definitely seems to be a better joint understanding on the current state of the industry and everyone’s approach and expectations. There’s still a few annoying things that need ironing out but we’ll get there.What were the most challenging aspects of the job last year?Negotiating crew rates…kidding! That’s always fun… urm… running a business is challenging. I’ve also got four kids, that’s challenging. Not much else really, can’t really complain.[vidtoken data:2]Above:&nbsp;Piri &amp; Tommy's On &amp; On, directed by DeadhorsesBest or favourite video or videos last year that you weren’t involved with?I really enjoyed the GRIN MACHINE video for <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2022/12/07/aap-rocky-shittin%E2%80%99-me-grin-machine/79633" target="_blank">A$AP Rocky</a>. Greg Hackett’s video for <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2022/07/06/loyle-carner-hate-greg-hackett-loyle-carner/77208" target="_blank">Loyle Carner</a> was great. Also loved Fontaines DC's <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2022/01/17/fontaines-dc-jackie-down-line-hugh-mulhern/74571" target="_blank">Jackie Down The Line</a> by Hugh Mulhern (90's throw back), and I love Labrinth's Mount Everest&nbsp;by Tanu.Anything by Rosalía.&nbsp;We’re still waiting for an email from her… 2023 maybe, R?I do like a performance video but we’re desperate to make a comedy-driven concept idea this year. Come on labels, let’s get mental!What were the trends (creative or otherwise) that you thought were most striking last year?Rightly or wrongly I’ve really enjoyed seeing what everyone’s making with 360 cameras. When used well they’re so engaging. It’s been really great seeing more directors roll up their sleeves in post-production, pulling edits apart using different skills and tools to make engaging videos. Big up Jay Green! I don’t know Jay but always look forward to seeing what he makes next.Any other personal experience that defines 2022 for you?It was lovely being able to network face-to-face again. So we really loved seeing everyone at various events, award shows and in various countries.<blockquote>I hope we see bolder, more wacky briefs come through (with realistic budgets!)</blockquote>2023What are you looking forward to in 2023 – both for work and for other parts of your life?So much to look forward to! We moved into our new Soho office at the end of last year which was surreal for me having ran in Soho back in the day. It has an amazing roof terrace!We’re launching a brand new website very soon which looks great so can’t wait for people to see that. We’re also looking forward to another great year of growth at Common People. We didn’t plan for a pandemic and a war in the middle of our 5 year plan - who did? So it’s been great to get back on track with a strong start to the year so we can continue our growth plan.[vidtoken data:3]Above: Navos ft Galantis's What It Feels Like, by Ben NewburyI love travelling and looking forward to getting away with the family as often as possible. I’ve got a couple of spec ideas I’ve put on the backburner due to Covid, so I’m looking forward to hopefully carving out some time for those this year.Have you set work objectives for this year and if so, what are they?Create even more award-winning work and ensuring our shoots are as green, diverse and inspiring as possible! We take a lot of pride in making our shoots really enjoyable and making sure everyone attending is looked after well, so we want to carry on being known for that. We’ve got to look after each other more.Who are the up-and-coming talents that you think will break through this year – or at least deserve to be successful?Tommy Davis is a hard working legend! He deserves so much success so we really want him to have another strong year. I really hope Deadhorses get some great tracks in production this year. Those boys are very talented! We’re talking to some really exciting talent at the moment, so watch this space…[vidtoken data:4]Above: Willow Kayne's White City, by Thomas DavisWhat is your prediction for the direction of the industry in 2023? And what will be the big trends for the year ahead?I hope we see bolder, more wacky briefs come through - with realistic budgets!&nbsp;That style really suits our roster. Let’s get back to making really fun / memorable videos!<blockquote>History tells us that great videos can really elevate an artist’s success.</blockquote>Any other comments about the current environment for music video production and music video creativity? What are the issues that we should be most concerned with?There’s always ups and downs but currently labels have had to pivot their business models and marketing plans which means everything feels quite reactive and driven by algorithms. Social media is really powerful so I do completely get the sense and value in making a suite of assets for multiple platforms rather than a single YouTube video that under performs or doesn’t reach as many eyeballs (that’s not the case for every video obviously).BUT… history tells us that great videos can really elevate an artist’s success and great creative is what we all strive for. So we need to ensure we protect that quality! I’m confident there’s a way to get both,&nbsp;but it will require really good communication and planning together.[vidtoken data:5]Above: Yungblud's Don't Feel Like Feeling Sad Today, by Tom PallantIf you could ‘make a wish’, and reform or change the environment in which you work in one way, what would you wish for?Nothing. Everyone just needs to crack on.&nbsp;I think we all need to remember that we’re very fortunate to do what we do and we shouldn’t lose sight of that. Of course it’s tough at times but we’re not saving lives here so we really need to face the challenges head on and keep collaborating. We’re constantly grateful to work with such amazing and talented people so I wish for that to continue.Where are the opportunities in the current environment?There are so many! It’s a very well-serviced, fast-moving industry so there’s lots of opportunity to get in. Try and make a bigger noise than everybody else and you’ll be fine.Have you made any personal New Year resolutions? And if so, how’s it going?Snore alert… but stay fit and healthy. Which is going well atm, thanks. And I’m trying to listen to more podcasts and listen to more audiobooks.• Ramy Dance is Managing Partner at <a href="https://www.commonpeoplefilms.com/" target="_blank">Common People Films</a>

State Of Play: Ramy Dance, Common People Films

Cruel Santino - BEAUTIFUL NOTHING (featuring Gus Dapperton) [Official Music Video]

KAWALA - Jesse C'mon (Official Video)

Piri-&-Tommy-'On-&-On'-by-Deadhorses

Navos-X-Galantis-'What-It-Feels-Like-Ft-You'-by-Ben-Newbury

Willow-Kayne-'White-City'-by-Thomas-Davis,willow-Kayne

Yungblud-'Don’t-Feel-Like-Feeling-Sad-Today'-by-Tom-Pallant

Rich Brian has a trippy experience&nbsp;at a golf range, in&nbsp;Grant Spanier's dreamlike promo for Vivid.&nbsp;Boasting slick performance shots with Y2K style overlays and effects, the video is an amalgamation of golf, remote control cars and guns, tied together by a retrofuturistic aesthetic.&nbsp;Cinematic and refreshingly unique, it's a great visual with plenty of engaging imagery.&nbsp;

United States

Grant Spanier

Joey Fitzimmons

Florence

Ben Mullen

Ryan Kincade

Jerad Anderson

Carl Laird

Andrew Francis

For Good Measure

Hip Hop

Rich Brian ft $not 'Vivid' by Grant Spanier

Rich Brian - VIVID feat. $NOT (Official Music Video)

NYSU - aka Jesus Hernandez - directs an out of this world promo for Spanish artist and producer&nbsp;Sila Lua.&nbsp;An amalgam of surreal vignettes play out on-screen, boasting eccentric costumes, outlandish headwear and a spellbinding performance to tie it all together.&nbsp;Regardless of whether you've heard of Lua before or not, the track and video are utterly captivating, and offer a refreshing, experimental twist on current trends.&nbsp;

Spain

NYSU (Jesus Hernandez)

Nabil Ejey

Antiestático

Marino Pardo

Matías Dumont

Alt-Pop

Sila Lua 'Rompe' by NYSU

Sila-Lua-'Rompe'-by-Nysu-(jesus-Hernandez)

Thomas Davis directs a love letter to early computer animation, in his visualiser for Biig Piig.&nbsp;The video opens with the artist putting on a VR headset, and being pulled into a playful, candy-coloured world inhabited by skeletons, teddy bears and uncanny doppelgangers.&nbsp;The vibrant, intentionally rudimentary animation calls back to early Noughties music vids - anyone remember <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQCQnARnKbc">Sweet Like Chocolate by Shanks &amp; Bigfoot</a>? - whilst interweaving contemporary elements at the same time.&nbsp;Marvellous work.&nbsp;

Soo Young

Callum Pearson

Garage Films

Kat Cattanteo

Marti Guiver

Columbia / Sony

Biig Piig 'Kerosene (Visualiser)' by Thomas Davis

Biig-Piig-'Kerosene-(visualiser)'-by-Thomas-Davis

Thomas Davis directs an enigmatic promo for punk rocker Joe Unknown's gAng.&nbsp;Standing in front of a mirror in a theatrical backstage area, we see a young woman grab a pair of clippers and shave her hair off, as the camera crawls in and out, exploring the space.&nbsp;[imgtoken data:1]In the corner of the room, we see Joe Unknown in an armchair, half-watching TV and half-watching the girl shave her head.&nbsp;It's a remarkably simple yet powerful concept, that leaves plenty to the imagination - including the context of the situation.&nbsp;

Noémie Tj Phillipson

Charlie Knight

Michael Farrell

Fabio Olgiati

Scarlett Gardner

Jo Barker

Digital Orchard

Jarlenn Severino

Punk

Joe Unknown 'gAng' by Thomas Davis

Joe-Unknown-'Gang'-by-Thomas-Davis

A dizzily dreamy video by up and coming directors Deadhorses for Piri &amp; Tommy - set on a desert island of their imaginations...

Deadhorses

Oliver Whitworth

Amy Holden Brown

Emily Jeffery

Joe Sherno

Malcolm Modele

Alex Chorley

Wendy Turner

Megan Lee

Electric Theatre Collective

Polydor

Piri & Tommy 'On & On' by Deadhorses

Thomas Davis and&nbsp;Willow Kayne turn London into a Hellish otherworld in this fabulously fun video for White City.&nbsp;This is the follow-up to Davis and Willow's collab on the sweet and energetic video for <a href="https://www.promonews.tv/videos/2022/05/09/willow-kayne-final-notice-thomas-davis/76288" target="_blank">Final Notice</a>. This one starts innocently enough too, as we follow a girl styled to look like a young Willow, experiencing several interactions - both good and bad - with local residents, which includes the real Willow&nbsp;roleplaying several different jobs.&nbsp;And then things take a weird turn: giant eyeballs, no less.&nbsp;begin to descend from tower blocks; the girl is served a rather Cronenbergian dish of delights at a café...&nbsp;things get distinctly topsy-turvy.&nbsp;And then the ending suggests a slightly Apocalyptic note, before returning to a sense of normality... Or has it?This is brilliant, knockabout&nbsp;work from the team. The tone is&nbsp;both playful and slightly unnerving, accentuated by a&nbsp;great use of visual effects.

Common People Films

Production Company

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