The Artist Explains: MAY - 'Ballerino'

New York-based Australian artist MAY speaks to us about her new single and music video for 'Ballerino' featuring a melancholy, noir-inspired, choreographed ballet routine.

Comprised of  haunting and distinctive soulful vocals and arrangements that channel deeply moving elegance and cinematic beauty, 'Ballerino'' is  described as being "an ode to a Parisian moment lost in time and the struggle to reconcile past and present".

MAY Explains:
Where was the video for 'Ballerino' filmed?
The video was shot at Pearl Studios in Manhattan, New York.

How does the video compliment the song?
The video and the song feel like they are one to me. Shay Bares (dancer/choreographer) really channelled the emotion of the song through the stunning ballet he choreographed. The two art forms complement each other so beautifully.

Any behind the scenes stories?
We shot the dance in one take and filmed close-ups after. The whole project only took a couple of hours. The team and I hadn’t seen the dance until the day, which left us feeling a little anxious. However, when we watched Shay briefly warm up and run through, we were all floored by the beauty of what he had created. And so we just rolled with it from there.

Tell us about the ideas/themes/imagery used?
I have always been a huge fan of all things melancholy and Noir, so with this in mind as well as the idea of shooting on film, Shay was left to interpret. He brought new life to the music and proposed a Pierrot (sad clown character), which was perfect.


What is the message the video is trying to convey?
The video provokes feelings of love and acceptance. It's about reflecting on heartbreak and finding beauty in simplicity.

Interview Feature by Karla Harris