Tariq's album Telegrams had its first anniversary just a few days ago, and now the Vancouver songwriter (and Brasstronaut member) has shared a video for the album track "Light of the Moon" and Exclaim! has the premiere.
The song is a wistful folk rock ballad, and that melancholy tone is matched by the cinematic video. It begins as a sweet love story starring Tariq himself taking a road trip with a romantic partner. Things take a tragic turn halfway through, making for an emotional climax.
In a statement to Exclaim!, Tariq discussed his mixed feelings about putting out a music video in the midst of a public health crisis, as well as offering some insight into the video's creation and sharing an update on his plans for release new music while in isolation:
In these wild times we're living, it feels weird to say: Hey, everyone, forget about the virus, check out my new music video! For a while there, I figured I'd just sit on this thing, wait for brighter days. I thought: I'll share it at some point, just not right now. Then, as the days ticked on, the message around the pandemic evolved — no longer a two-week interruption, we'd be in this for the long haul. I consulted with friends. What would you do with a new music video in a time of crisis? The consensus: Put it out. And don't feel bad about it.
We made this video over a couple of days back in December of 2019 when the world seemed like a different place. Director, Kasey Lum, flew home from the UK — simpler times back then — scouted locations for few days, and off we went. The promise of December rain lingered in our weather apps in the days leading up to the shoot and sure enough, mother nature kept her promise. Still, everyone in the crew stuck it out, working long hours, huddling under makeshift tents for brief stints here and there. Spotlights glowed beneath umbrellas, camera lenses were bound in black garbage bags to keep the rain off. No one complained. My co-star, Kaylah Zander, at one point, threw herself down on the edge of a wet, frigid highway — in character — and lay there while the crew set up for a critical moment in the narrative.
Our original plan for the video was to release it then head to the UK for a tour in May. But all that changed in a hurry, as you know. Now, we wait to see how things will evolve while staying busy creatively at home. In the works: some new acoustic recordings including a Kate Bush cover and maybe even a song of mine translated into French.
With all that said, we offer up this music video to you, a short film, if you will, created by many, a reminder of what we can do collectively. A testament to collaboration during times when words like "distancing" and "isolation" are on everyone's tongues. Today, April 2, is also a significant day as it's the day my mum passed away exactly one year ago. This video premiere is for her too, because if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be doing any of this.
So, thanks, for watching and be safe and loving and keep looking towards the light. Maybe you'll find some around the grey, grainy skies presented here.
Director / Editor: Kasey Lum
DP: Jan Klompje
Producers: Shelby Manton, Angelica Stirpe
Cast:
Tariq Hussain
Kaylah Zander
Norah Debra Dobbyn
Watch the video for "Light of the Moon" below.
The song is a wistful folk rock ballad, and that melancholy tone is matched by the cinematic video. It begins as a sweet love story starring Tariq himself taking a road trip with a romantic partner. Things take a tragic turn halfway through, making for an emotional climax.
In a statement to Exclaim!, Tariq discussed his mixed feelings about putting out a music video in the midst of a public health crisis, as well as offering some insight into the video's creation and sharing an update on his plans for release new music while in isolation:
In these wild times we're living, it feels weird to say: Hey, everyone, forget about the virus, check out my new music video! For a while there, I figured I'd just sit on this thing, wait for brighter days. I thought: I'll share it at some point, just not right now. Then, as the days ticked on, the message around the pandemic evolved — no longer a two-week interruption, we'd be in this for the long haul. I consulted with friends. What would you do with a new music video in a time of crisis? The consensus: Put it out. And don't feel bad about it.
We made this video over a couple of days back in December of 2019 when the world seemed like a different place. Director, Kasey Lum, flew home from the UK — simpler times back then — scouted locations for few days, and off we went. The promise of December rain lingered in our weather apps in the days leading up to the shoot and sure enough, mother nature kept her promise. Still, everyone in the crew stuck it out, working long hours, huddling under makeshift tents for brief stints here and there. Spotlights glowed beneath umbrellas, camera lenses were bound in black garbage bags to keep the rain off. No one complained. My co-star, Kaylah Zander, at one point, threw herself down on the edge of a wet, frigid highway — in character — and lay there while the crew set up for a critical moment in the narrative.
Our original plan for the video was to release it then head to the UK for a tour in May. But all that changed in a hurry, as you know. Now, we wait to see how things will evolve while staying busy creatively at home. In the works: some new acoustic recordings including a Kate Bush cover and maybe even a song of mine translated into French.
With all that said, we offer up this music video to you, a short film, if you will, created by many, a reminder of what we can do collectively. A testament to collaboration during times when words like "distancing" and "isolation" are on everyone's tongues. Today, April 2, is also a significant day as it's the day my mum passed away exactly one year ago. This video premiere is for her too, because if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be doing any of this.
So, thanks, for watching and be safe and loving and keep looking towards the light. Maybe you'll find some around the grey, grainy skies presented here.
Director / Editor: Kasey Lum
DP: Jan Klompje
Producers: Shelby Manton, Angelica Stirpe
Cast:
Tariq Hussain
Kaylah Zander
Norah Debra Dobbyn
Watch the video for "Light of the Moon" below.