The Artist Explains: Zosia - '7 Suns'
Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and producer Zosia talks us through her gripping music video for ‘7 Suns’ and the importance of not letting anxiety paralyse us.
Where was the video for ‘7 Suns’ filmed?
We shot the video in the Borrego Badlands, about three hours southeast of LA. It's a really great desolate area with lots of diverse and interesting landscapes.
How does the video connect with the song?
The song was inspired by a sci-fi short story by Isaac Asimov called "Nightfall," and the video ties into the same story. It takes place on a fictional planet that only experiences darkness every 2,000 years. In the last few hours of light, people are terrified that they cannot survive the night. My character in the video feels this dread but is also trying to find some peace before it's too late.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you can share with us?
I was so worried about the heat while we were shooting - the highs were around 110 degrees that week. We only had to shoot during sunrise and sunset, so we escaped the worst hours. But Chris Hadland, the DP, had to do so many takes running alongside me with his heavy rig while it was still at least 90.
Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
The video is based on the ending of "Nightfall," when a mob storms the city setting fire to everything in its path. If it weren't for COVID, I may have shown a small group chasing me. But I actually like that we never divulge what I'm running from. Viewers can choose the threat that resonates with them. The fire at the end is also open to interpretation. To me the fire represents a strength I didn't know I had and the courage to face the danger.
What do you hope people take away from watching the video?
Right now there are many very valid reasons to feel anxious. But so often anxiety can paralyse us and be damaging to our health. I want people to reflect more on their fear and really get to the root of it. Being able to finally look at and analyse my anxiety was life changing for me. I love this quote by Alan Watts: "By replacing our fear of the unknown with curiosity we open ourselves up to the infinite stream of possibility.”
Interview by Karla Harris