RANDOM WEDNESDAY: @picardlooking recovers archival footage of a Zoom call

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Mini Trees - Cracks In The Pavement

Music Appreciation

I first discovered Mini Trees when Lexi Vega performed at SXSW in Austin in 2022, and I was instantly captivated. Seeing her live felt like stepping into someone’s journal — raw, intimate, and profoundly vulnerable. One song that stood out immediately was "Cracks in the Pavement," a track from her debut studio album, Always in Motion, released on September 17, 2021. The song beautifully explores the tension between desire and doubt, unraveling the emotional intricacies of relationships.

The music video for "Cracks in the Pavement," directed by Erik Shute and photographed by Nina Raj, translates Vega’s introspective lyrics into a stunning visual narrative. Featuring Kati Garceau and Mary Ives, their performances deepen the storytelling, intertwining subtle expressions of human connection with Vega’s themes of self-reflection. Throughout the video, Vega herself appears walking in a darkened room illuminated by a single light source, mirroring the song's exploration of finding clarity amid chaos.

With poignant lyrics like “I count the cracks in the pavement to throw a wrench in it, distracting my brain wave,” Vega conveys the universal yearning to make sense of life’s uncertainties. Shute’s direction amplifies these emotions with a restrained yet powerful visual style, while Raj’s photography bathes each frame in a soft, melancholic glow. The result is a music video that feels as intimate as a handwritten letter and as refined as an art exhibit, cementing Mini Trees as a project of not only sound but deep emotional resonance.

via Run For Cover Records

Source:

Wikipedia

https://runforcoverrecords.com/collections/mini-trees

Jóhann Jóhannsson - Flight From The City

Music Appreciation

Jóhann Jóhannsson’s "Flight From The City" opens his 2016 album Orphée, a work deeply influenced by the myth of Orpheus and themes of transformation. The album reflects Jóhannsson's personal transitions, including his move from Copenhagen to Berlin, and explores concepts of change, love, and the artistic process. Drawing inspiration from Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Jean Cocteau’s 1950 film Orphée, the album traces a journey from darkness into light, mirroring the Orpheus myth's exploration of loss and rebirth.​

"Flight From The City" is characterized by its minimalist composition, featuring a simple piano melody accompanied by gradually building strings and subtle electronic elements. The piece exemplifies Jóhannsson's ability to blend classical instrumentation with ambient textures, creating a meditative soundscape that invites introspection .​

The music video for "Flight From The City," directed by Clare Langan, complements the composition's themes through visual storytelling. Filmed in the hot springs at Flúðir, Iceland, the video portrays a mother and daughter immersed in 'black' water, symbolizing the profound bond between them. This imagery reflects universal themes of connection, love, and transition, resonating with the album's exploration of change and the human experience .

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://songoftheday.ca/2020/10/25/flight-from-the-city/

https://www.whitechapelgallery.org/exhibitions/artists-film-international/clare-langan-flight-from-the-city/

https://crawfordartgallery.ie/wp-content/uploads/AFI-2021-Press-Release-final.pdf

https://www.clarelangan.com/portfolio/flight-from-the-city

https://classicalexburns.com/2020/09/13/johann-johannsson-flight-from-the-city-a-loving-tribute/

https://floodmagazine.com/41930/dark-night-johannsson

https://pitchfork.com/news/67330-johann-johannsson-to-score-new-blade-runner-sequel

Yoga: Anna Engelschall - 25 Min New to HIIT Workout, for Beginners

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Dance: Nagada Sang Dhol Baje Dance Performance

Choreography: Mannat Dance Academy

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Spinners: Patrick Mason - Radio Rudina

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Tom Jones & The Cardigans - Burning Down The House

Music Appreciation

In 1999, Welsh crooner Tom Jones teamed up with Swedish pop sensation The Cardigans to cover Talking Heads' classic "Burning Down the House" for his album Reload, which was released September 13, 1999. The original track, written by David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth, was released in 1983 and is known for its energetic vibe and abstract lyrics. Jones and The Cardigans' rendition brought a fresh twist to this iconic song.

Their version infuses the track with a blend of Jones' powerful vocals and The Cardigans' smooth pop sensibilities. The arrangement maintains the original's funky rhythm while adding a contemporary pop-rock flair, showcasing the seamless collaboration between the artists.

The accompanying music video, directed by David Mould, features Tom Jones and The Cardigans' lead singer, Nina Persson, performing amidst dynamic visual effects and vibrant backdrops, capturing the song's energetic essence. 

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9673924/

https://www.moopy.co.uk/threads/tom-jones-the-cardigans-burning-down-the-house.100524/

https://www.openculture.com/2021/06/tom-jones-covers-talking-heads-burning-down-the-house.html

https://www.discogs.com/release/440788-Tom-Jones-And-The-Cardigans-Burning-Down-The-House?srsltid=AfmBOoqSX1_TVyX93A7CyPL669JY2SWayqrf-aDIOLJwUdzj1Ux7_S8q