The Artist Explains: Oh My Empress - 'Anything Is Possible'
Oh My Empress talks to us in depth about her self-affirming and empowering single and mystical music video, ‘Anything is Possible’.
Where was the video for 'Anything is Possible' filmed?
On a friend’s beautiful farmland in Pudding Lane, Essex (named Pudding Lane as it was the first place in this area to see the Great Fire of London which of course, started in a Bakery in Pudding Lane!)
How does the video connect with the song?
The film only features one (human) character, although there is a hint that another character will appear, but they never quite materialise, echoing the sense of bitter-sweetness that runs throughout the song.
The main line of the song is "Anything is Possible, until your heart stops”.
It can relate to heartache where you feel like you can do anything with love in your life until it gets taken away from you and you suffer heartache, putting your happiness in someone else’s control and can render you powerless.
If you reframe this, it sends the message that we have the power to create our own experiences and measure of happiness because the possibilities in life are limitless.
The two most poignant things that commonly stop personal progress is fear of the unknown and death.
Dark, I know, but I find this idea strangely life affirming and a wake up call not to stay constricted through self-limiting beliefs or judgement from self or others as that only serves to foster a stifled life.
I once met a fortune teller in a little pub in London who gave me an impromptu tarot reading Two prominent cards came up in that reading, the first showed inner conflict and being pulled in different directions, the second, was ‘The Empress’.
The teller turned to me and firmly said "Always be The Empress!"
This little life episode sparked the conception and confidence to create this song, video and also the ‘Oh My Empress’ project as a whole.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you could share with us?
I have 2 dogs who I had to bring with me on film day who kept running on set during filming so, even though they weren't supposed to be in the video, we kept some shots in because they were too cute to edit out. (They are also the little fluffy orange dogs used in the Orange Amps #wishgranted campaigns, so they love being on film now!)
Can you tell us about the ideas/themes/imagery used?
Michael Goring (DOP) and I wanted to achieve an earthy, mystical, Game of Thrones feel with the woodland landscape to portray a sometimes beautiful, sometimes eerie vibe.
We then juxtaposed this with synthetic balloons giving an idea of a party for one with the protagonist all dressed up but, with nowhere to go & no-one to go to.
The ‘Lalala’ parts of the song shows the character twirling which is quite a child-like and makes for pretty pictures but is a little bit maddening and reflects the idea of going round in circles and creating distractions (possibly self imposed), that prevent you achieving what you actually want.
The video theme as a whole walks the viewer along a fine line between self-empowerment & self-sabotage, which I feel I’m frequently tightroping along!
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
Making this video was a bit of a cathartic experience as I’m normally behind a camera, not in front of it as ironically, I feel chronically uncomfortable with my own self-image and this video was all about stepping up and getting comfortable in my own skin!
So I guess the primary message is...
Life is short, and then you die, so stop listening to the voices (inside and outside your head) that tell you you’re not good enough, because you are.
I hope this message filters to anyone needing a bit of extra strength to be inspired to show up for themselves, push through fear, put out their creative content and realise that anything is possible!
(- cheesy, but true!)
Interview by Karla Harris