Saint Is: 'Before We Get Old' music video
Straight from Frankey & Sandrino’s Sum Over Histories, Saint Is present the titular track of their second EP, ‘Before We Get Old’, featuring the vocals of Juan Hansen. Its almost dream-like carousel chord state is given the visuals to amicably bring itself to life with the official music video released alongside it.
Here in the video we are presented with a tale of two cases merged into the one character - from the mundane routine broken into the free-spirited self who has been lying within herself all along. The dark, muted tones of the serious-self fizzle into the floating white and light blues to portray the change of character and her inner expression of breaking away from the day-to-day, allowing her body to move with the expression found in her mind. A perfect video to capture the essence of how we all feel at times, trapped within a working world which serves nothing for us, where we dream and drift of times we can escape and become free.
We spent a short time talking to Saint Is to dig deeper and find out their reasonings behind the art direction of the video.
IN the video there are two core themes which seem IMMEDIATELY APPARENT to us as the audience. What are you trying to portray and WHAT do you believe IS THE THE INSPIRATION, CREATIVE VISION AND GOAL BEHIND it all?
Our inspiration comes from the song's lyrics, which are about taking advantage of the opportunities in life and not missing out on the chances given to you. From our point of view, this video represents an awakening from the daily routine. The main character, in order to connect with happiness, needs to liberate herself from the mundane to enjoy simple pleasures and live in the moment. We wrote the script with this nostalgic and encouraging feeling in mind.
we are shown two contrasting SIDES OF THE CHARACTER - THE SUITED AND SERIOUS AND THE MORE FREE-SPIRITED SIDE OF HER. WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THESE TWO IDENTITIES OF THE FEMALE PROTAGONIST AND WHAT DO THEY SIGNIFY?
The female protagonist goes through a significant change in her personality driven by a massive crisis: she’s not satisfied with her routine day-to-day life and work, and the monotony overwhelms her. Every day feels exactly the same to her and she doesn’t know how to change that. Connecting with her body could help her express herself; movement could be the key to her transformation. That’s why we created her alter ego, who dresses differently and learns to connect with her body. This new identity brings her closer to the sky.
WHAT IS THE CHOICE OF STYLING YOU HAVE GONE FOR?
At the beginning, we see her in her uncomfortable work attire, with her tightly pulled back hair. Her movements are rigid and slow, and we don’t see her face yet. We tried to show no expression on her face.
WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR THE LOCATION AND WHY/HOW DID IT CHANGE DURING THE VIDEO?
The location itself was for us a means of expression as well. Specifically, the diametric contrast between the grey concrete and the blue sky that she crosses as if flying free like a bird. The way she dances changes too - she becomes much more dynamic and expressive and much less constrained.
AGAIN, THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH THE CHARACTER DANCES - MORE SERIOUS AT THE START AND LOOSER IN HER ALTER EGO. WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND THIS?
We aimed at abstractly expressing both states through her dance: first her discomfort and then her liberation. A new beginning and the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
HOW HAVE YOU LINKED THE VIDEO TO THE MUSIC? ARE THERE ANY KEY MOMENTS WHICH SYMBOLISE PARTS OF THE SONG? ARE THE LYRICS CONNECTED TO THE VISUAL STORYTELLING?
The story is closely based on the lyrics. The transition to her alter ego is synchronised with the appearance of the lyrics. It’s almost as if a new character appeared, but it’s still her - except everything about her is different now. At the end of the video she’s calmly walking down the stairs, not dancing anymore, just peacefully floating.
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