The Artist Explains: Melis - 'Holding Hands'
Single Songwriter Melis speaks to us about her dystopian visuals for 'Holding Hands', shot in her hometown Prague by director Luboš Rezler and cinematographer Filip Marek (Deaths, IdeaFatte).
'Holding Hands' is the flawless lead single from Melis' upcoming debut EP, 'Parallels' featuring clean and airy production where minimal classic folk arrangements meet billowing electronica, making for an elegant and immersive, emotive indie pop song you can't help but sing along to.
'Parallel's EP is available for pre-order via Qrates on Limited Edition 10" Grey Vinyl, hand signed + noted.
Where was the video for 'Holding Hands' filmed?
It was filmed in different locations around my hometown Prague!
How does the video compliment the song?
The video is a visual metaphor for the meaning of the song. 'Holding Hands' is lyrically about escaping a one sided relationship and I wanted the video to be more philosophical and metaphoric. The video is more about the relationship to ourselves. The main character is escaping a 'toxic' society where she doesn't fit in (everybody is doing the same things, hence the choir singing the same song and the dancers dancing aggressively in sync). I take her away from all this, by driving her to the woods where she finds the light ... she is my alter ego :))
Any behind the scenes stories?
It was an unforgettable experience as it was my first proper video shoot. We were shooting the final scene at a madhouse cemetery until 4am, it was the last scene of the complete shoot. We were all freezing, and I had to drive a car with a expensive camera attached :) that was unforgettable and so much fun! Everybody worked so hard on this video. Sabina (main actress) was absolutely amazing, powering through the cold, doing one take after another - it was her first acting experience. We also shot in a bunker hospital, with beds behind metal bars, which looked pretty creepy.
Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
The story is set in a Orwellian / totalitarian/ dream world, one where you don't know if it's the future or the past. There are many symbols through out, such as the colour red following through every scene until the end. The director has really thought about every scene until the last detail. The light at the end is very symbolical too.
What do you hope people take away from watching the video?
One thing I hope people take away from it, which is accurate for today's social and political situation, is that you don't have to conform and do what everybody else does just to fit in. I think we all have to appreciate our uniqueness and individuality and have respect for each other. I think most people struggle to find fulfillment in today's fast culture and it's hard to decide what is truly important to them. I also feel connected to this issue and think it's important not to look for happiness only in materialistic things.
Interview Feature by Karla Harris
Melis and her live band are set to play their first live shows, supporting EL PERRO DEL MAR in Istanbul, Turkey and MICHAEL MALARKEY in Prague, Czech Republic on the 25th November and 27th November, in a set of special home-town shows.