The Band Explains: The Milk - 'Never Come Down'
We talk to The Milk's drummer Mitch Ayling about the band’s freeing visuals for empowering, soulful single, ‘Never Come Down. ’Never Come Down’ is the first track taken from The Milk’s upcoming album ‘Cages’, due for release early next year via Wah Wah 45s.
Where was the video for 'Never Come Down' filmed?
The video for ‘Never Come Down’ was filmed at our own place, Woods Lodge Studios in Essex. I run the recording studio and Luke runs the photography studio and its between there and the swimming pool out the back where we captured the video.
How does the video connect with the song?
The intention was for it to connect to the song in a way that the protagonist (Charlotte Faith) conducts the audio with her movements rather than the other way around. From the subtlety of her opening her eyes which triggers the band to come alive to the broader gestures particularly entering and exiting the water which diverts the track to and from its most dynamic sections.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share with us?
Inspiration came from all corners of the band and director Mike Briggs. We were intent on the dancer idea as the central theme inspired in part by 60s psychedelia and some films and music videos we’d seen but the narrative started to take shape with the introduction of the water and using it to create two different worlds, one where Charlotte manipulates and masters it under her feet, the other where she is completely submerged and at its mercy.
Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
The shoot went remarkably smoothly considering we were reacting to good ideas and inspiration on the go rather than a shot by shot itinerary of the day. The smoke machine did however give up after the first few minutes of setting up so we had to use smoke flares like the ones you see the Russian ultras light in the stands at a Spartak Moscow home game. They were good for the colour and vibe of the shots but not so much for the lungs.
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
’Never Come Down’ was written in response to a re-engagement with Nicherin Buddhism, a philosophy that holds the dignity of life, value creation and reaching your highest potential at the centre of its core principles. Lyrically the theme is focused on the message that you can achieve whatever it is you wish to achieve regardless of any internal negative dialogue you, and many human beings tend to have with themselves which usually means that they don’t. The dancer in the video is the personification of this message as she is finally set free from her own self doubt and allowed to express herself in the only way that she knows. This is a song and a music video about ones freedom from themself.
Interview by Karla Harris