The Artist Explains: FRASE - 'Paddlin''
Multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer, FRASE talks to us about cloning himself into a full band for his feel-good visuals for ‘Paddlin’, a husky groove that shares the message to always strive to further ourselves in our pursuits and passions.
Where was the video for 'Paddlin’' filmed?
It was shot in Vancouver BC, in three locations around the city. The first scene was in our friends kitchen, the car scenes were shot in an after hours club and the band scenes were shot in a private art studio space.
How does the video connect with the song?
’Paddlin'‘ is not just about canoeing, it is is a mind set and a lifestyle to keep moving and finding your way by being your own propeller. For the visuals we wanted to make something fun and colourful and not take the lyrics too literally but still convey the over all positive message of the song and share a bit about the multiple dimensions of my personality.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share with us?
Yes! So we originally had planned to shoot a scene where the car stalls at a stop light right when the lyrics say “ we're not gonna stop” and then all three characters get our of the car and have to push it through the intersection. It ended up being too complicated to shoot in the time frame we had but ironically it actually happened. Late night after the second full day of shooting the director Kinsey Deakin and I were driving the old Volvo back to the person we rented it from and right at a busy section on Commercial drive the car stalled out and wouldn't start, we caused quite the traffic jam but luckily a nice lady pulled over and jump started the car for us, and it made it far enough to park it around the corner.
Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
The director Kinsey Deakin is a painter and props/set designer and her style and aesthetic is always so on point. We gave her complete creative control over all the visual imagery and props and lighting. She proposed the scenes, scenarios and bright tropical funky retro theme and I came up with the idea of having multiple versions of me interacting and jamming with each other as a band. As a multi-instrumental musician it is not often I get the chance to showcase my skills all at the same time and it also ties into the D.I.Y theme of the song.
What do you hope people take away from watching the video?
I hope people take way a good vibe and positive feeling and use that to further themselves in their own pursuits and passions. Life as an indie artist has a lot of up hill battles and I try to stay motivated by enjoying the little wins and successes that make it feel like it's all worth it. I really wish we had filmed that scene were we had to stop to push the car cause that would have really sealed the deal on the message of the video “Keep Paddlin'”
Interview by Karla Harris