Cannon also directed a second music video in the competition. “The Start of Spring” by Schaefer Llana. Cannon and cinematographer Sam Leathers, a frequent collaborator with Cannon’s Studio One Four Three, shoot Llana in moody lighting, and an 8mm film-like aspect ratio. Llana herself evokes Kate Bush in both her songcraft and her spooky onscreen presence.
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
“‘Baby Teeth’ was written and produced before ‘The Rope’ and before the concept of 325i was fully a thing,” he said. “We were trying different sounds based on the things I was feeling at the time. I wasn’t in a deal yet, but I knew it was highly likely. I was angry. I’m still angry. That’ll be a recurring theme for a few years.”
The multi-hyphenate artist directed “Baby Teeth,” with frequent collaborators Studio One Four Three producing. Sam Leathers, who has lensed for the Don in the past, is the cinematographer. The truly impressive production design and makeup is by Ahmad George; the spooky masks were created by D. D. Issac.
“For the video I wanted to create something that represented the alchemical process I’m physically and spiritually going through,” Don Lifted says. “I’ve been living through very violent transitions and growth processes for the last few years. Many of the lessons I’ve needed to learn I haven’t due to my own human weakness and doubt systems around me. These moments second guessing my path caused truths to be revealed to me in ways that left scars instead of me being able to elevate without the physical and emotional pain. Sacrifice is always required but it doesn’t always involve suffering. I’m closer to learning that lesson. This visual is me trying to represent those stages and all the parts within me operating at their maximized selves through loneliness, trauma, ostracism. … Each absorbing and changing their physical presentation toward a new form of enlightened self.”
If you would like to see your music video on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
Don Lifted played SXSW last week to support his new album 325i. The video for his latest single “The Rope” is a trippy affair showcasing the artist’s talent for creating an arresting image. Co-directed by his brother Martin Matthews and shot by Sam Leathers of Studio One Four Three, it features a misty recreation of Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Let Lifted take your Monday higher with this atmospheric groove.
If you’d like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
Don Lifted recently signed with Fat Possum records. He christens the new ride with his most ambitious music video yet, “Lost in Orion.” Matthews co-directed the video with Joshua Cannon, and co-wrote it with Nubia Yasin. Sam Leathers is the cinematographer behind some arresting images, including a spectacular location shot in the empty Orpheum Theatre.
“‘Lost in Orion’ feels confessional to me,” says Mathews. “The weight of feelings that through the summer of 2020 couldn’t escape me, personally and societally. So much of those fears and anxieties manifested themselves in introspection, mystical imagery and poetry. It’s a sacrificial and ritualistic piece of art for me. A culmination of growth and shedding of every version of myself that’s been informed by love, societal pressures and fear. This visual is a new beginning for me. The end of many other things but the start of something I’ve been on a journey to share for quite some time.
“Working with Josh, Sam and the folks at Studio One Four Three has been something long in the works. It’s funny ’cause once I reached out we both expressed when didn’t feel ready enough to collaborate. The shoot days were very special in all of the beautiful and challenging ways making art can exist. Nubia Yasin, Amber Ahmad, Joshua Cannon, Sam Leathers and myself all trying to work toward the best ideas and ways to approach everything, trying to match the vision in my head as best as possible. The subject matter and the elements definitely had effects on all of us in various ways and pushed us toward our goals. I look forward to expanding this world we are building together in conjunction with this music.”
If you would like to see your music videos featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
C.W. Robertson, Rheannan Watson, and Syderek Wilson in ‘Always Open: The Eureka Hotel’.
My advice to people who are first-time film festival goers is always the same: Go to a short-film program. The movies you will see at a film festival are different from what you normally see in a theater or on your favorite streaming service. That’s the point. For the audience, film festivals are communal events dedicated to discovery. But not every film is for everyone. That is also the point. For filmmakers, film festivals are about finding your audience. It’s a two-way street. The big advantage of a shorts program is that, if you see something you don’t like, it will be over soon, and you’ll get to see something different that you might like better.
That probably won’t be the case with Indie Memphis’ opening night at Crosstown Theater. After the opener, Harriet, is the first of two blocs of the Hometowner Narrative Shorts competition, which has the strongest field in years. The screenplay for the first film “Always Open: The Eureka Hotel” secured writer/director Jamey Hatley the first ever Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Fellowship for Screenwriting. The Eureka Hotel has five stars on Trip Advisor, but it’s invisible from the outside — unless you have a reservation. The proprietor, Mrs. Landlady (Rosalyn R. Ross) seems to exist out of time, always there to help folks in distress, such as a young woman in trouble (Rheannan Watson) who is being forced to head north by her father (Syderek Watson) and brother (C.W. Robertson).
Darian Conly, aka A Weirdo From Memphis, and Ron Gephart in ‘Life After Death’
You think your worries are over once you’ve passed on? Sorry, no. Noah Glenn’s “Life After Death” slayed at this year’s Memphis Film Prize. Written by Glenn and Julia McCloy, shot by Andrew Trent Fleming, the film stars Sean Harrison Jones as a man attending a support group for the legally deceased. The comedy also features rapper A Weirdo From Memphis in his acting debut.
‘Now The Sun Asks To Rise’
“Now The Sun Asks To Rise” is the latest beautiful and tragic short from writer/director Joshua Cannon. John Sneed and Joy Murphy star as a parents overcome by grief for their daughter. Their sadness touches everything, even the musician father’s love of music. Beautifully shot by Nate Packer and Sam Leathers and deftly edited by Laura Jean Hocking, this one is a real heartstring tugger.
Shi Smith in ‘Tagged’
“Tagged” by director Daniel Ferrell was the winner of one of last year’s Indie Grants for narrative shorts. Shi Smith stars as a brash graffiti artist who never saw a blank wall she didn’t want to decorate. On the run from the law and the local gangs patrolling their turf, she just won’t quit until the art is finished. The film features some ace photography from Ryan Earl Parker.
Kharmyn Aanesah in ‘The Bee’
I haven’t seen everything screening at Indie Memphis 2019, but I would be shocked if the best performance by a child actor came from someone other than Kharmyn Aanesah in “The Bee.” Director Alexandria Ashley’s finely tuned film features Aanesah as a young woman named McKenzie who is obsessed with preparing for her school’s upcoming spelling bee. But when a jealous classmate makes a cutting remark, she finds herself suddenly self-conscious about her appearance. This incisive film, which tackles head-on the brains vs. beauty dilemma that society imposes on young woman, is supported by an equally great performance by Chontel Willis as McKinzie’s long-suffering mother.
Nathan Ross Murphy in ‘The Indignation of Michael Busby’
You can see actor Nathan Ross Murphy in the Hometowner feature Cold Feet. But he’s never been better than in the film he wrote and directed for this year’s festival, “The Indignation of Michael Busby.” He plays the title role, a Walter Mitty-type salaryman who has a secret crush on his co-worker Rose (Rosalyn R. Ross, of course) is dismissed by co-worker Nick (Jacob Wingfeld), and bullied by his boss Tom (Allen C. Gardner from Cold Feet, returning the favor). He escapes into fantasy, but soon reality itself breaks down, and a shift in perspective tells a very different story. Well shot by Eddie Hanratty, it’s a strong closer to the night’s program.
Come back to Memphis Flyer.com for continuing coverage of Indie Memphis 2019.
Music Video Monday won’t leave you at the altar — unless you deserve it.
The would-be hubby from Louise Page‘s new video, “Future Runaway Bride,” certainly deserves pre-spousal abandonment. He’s swigging from a pocket flask even while the father of the bride, played by Lucero’s fezzed-out Brian Venable, looks on. The nerve!
The video to accompany yet another banger by Page was co-directed by Joshua Cannon and Barrett Kutas, and shot by Sam Leathers and Nate Packard.
If you need more Weezy in your life, you can either pop the question — which, in the light of this video, seems like an iffy proposition — or can check out her NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which gives you more short-term reward with less long-term commitment.
Now get to the church on time!
Music Video Monday: Louise Page
If you’d like to see your video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
Memphis music was vibrant as ever in 2018. Every week, the Memphis Flyer brings you the latest and best video collaborations between Bluff City filmmakers and musicians in our Music Video Monday series. To assemble this list, I rewatched all 34 videos that qualified for 2018’s best video and scored them according to song, concept, cinematography, direction and acting, and editing. Then I untangled as many ties as I could and made some arbitrary decisions. Everyone who made the list is #1 in my book!
10. Louise Page “Blue Romance”
Flowers cover everything in this drag-tastic pop gem, directed by Sam Leathers.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (13)
9. Harlan T. Bobo “Nadine” / Fuck “Facehole”
Our first tie of the list comes early. First is Harlan T. Bobo’s sizzling, intense “Nadine” clip, directed by James Sposto.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (11)
I used science to determine that Fuck’s Memphis Flyer name drop is equal to “Nadine”.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (12)
8. Aaron James “Kauri Woods”
The smokey climax of this video by Graham Uhelski is one of the more visually stunning things you’ll see this year.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (10)
7. Daz Rinko “New Whip, Who Dis?”
Whaddup to rapper Daz Rinko who dropped three videos on MVM this year. This was the best one, thanks to an absolute banger of a track.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (9)
6. (tie) McKenna Bray “The Way I Loved You” / Lisa Mac “Change Your Mind”
I couldn’t make up my mind between this balletic video from co-directors Kim Lloyd and Susan Marshall…
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (7)
…and this dark, twisted soundstage fantasy from director Morgan Jon Fox.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (8)
5. Brennan Villines “Better Than We’ve Ever Been”
Andrew Trent Fleming got a great performance out of Brennan Villines in this bloody excellent clip.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (6)
4. (tie) Nick Black “One Night Love” / Summer Avenue “Cut It Close”
Nick Black is many things, but as this video by Gabriel DeCarlo proves, a hooper ain’t one of ’em.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (4)
The kids in Summer Avenue enlisted Laura Jean Hocking for their debut video.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (5)
3. Cedric Burnside “Wash My Hands”
Beale Street Caravan’s I Listen To Memphis series produced a whole flood of great music videos from director Christian Walker and producer Waheed Al Qawasmi. I could have filled out the top ten with these videos alone, but consider this smoking clip of Cedric Burnside laying down the law representative of them all.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (3)
2. Don Lifted “Poplar Pike”
I could have filled out the top five with work from Memphis video auteur Don Lifted, aka Lawrence Matthews, who put three videos on MVM this year. To give everybody else a chance, I picked the transcendent clip for “Poplar Pike” created by Mattews, Kevin Brooks, and Nubia Yasin.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018
1. Lucero “Long Way Back Home”
Sorry, everybody, but you already knew who was going to be number one this year. It’s this mini-movie created by director Jeff Nichols, brother of Lucero frontman Ben Nichols. Starring genuine movie star (and guy who has played Elvis) Michael Shannon, “Long Way Back Home” is the best Memphis music video of 2018 by a country mile.
Music Video Monday: Top 10 Memphis Music Videos of 2018 (2)
Thanks to everyone who submitted videos to Music Video Monday in 2018. If you’d like to see your music video appear on Music Video Monday in 2019, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
Louise Page is releasing her second album, Simple Sugar, this Friday with a show at 831 S. Cooper. This music video for Page’s song “Blue Romance” was directed by Sam Leathers, and stars Page, Moth Moth Moth, Brenda Newport, Jawaun Crawford, Annalisabeth Craig, Michael Laurenzi, Victor Sawyer, and Michael Todd. It’s a gauzy, flower-filled burst of fabulousness. Take a look:
Music Video Monday: Louise Page
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
Find a friend and settle in for Music Video Monday.
To soften the blow of the post-Super Bowl Monday morning, here’s “Ferris and Effie”, the first video from Memphis dream rockers Pillow Talk. Directed by lead singer Joshua Cannon—who, it just so happens, is a Flyer staffer— with Sam Leathers and Nate Packard shooting and editing, “Ferris and Effie” is all about hanging around with that special someone, even if she’s inanimate. Pillow Talk will celebrate the release of their new LP This Is All Pretend at the Hi Tone on Friday, March 31.
Music Video Monday: Pillow Talk
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com
