We're constantly impressed by the amount of Canadian indie musical talent we see in Windsor-- and from Windsor. And talented directors like Sean McLeod make it possible for you to see them too. Here's another video from McLeod of up-and-coming Windsor band The Walkervilles.
WINDSOR, ON - Windsor-based singer-songwriter Pat Robitaille has released his second single and video entitled “We Won’t Change” from his fourth album, Change.
The video was shot in Toronto, Ont.with the support of a grant from MuchFACT. Director Sean McLeod had this to say about the grant, “It’s a really great program they have set up to assist Canadian talent with everything from music videos to websites. The music industry has completely changed and continues to evolve, and unfortunately there’s just not enough money to go around. Without programs like MuchFACT and FACTOR in place it would be very difficult for artists to make things like music videos happen.”
Change is Pat's fourth studio album and has been well received since its release. "It's an album about love lost," says Pat. "Lyrically, it reflects on some major relationships that have failed in my life. Musically, it reflects on the song writing and instrumentation I was exposed to during my time in Nashville. I was hanging around with a crew of insanely talented and successful people, and I soaked it all up like a sponge."
Pat is already beginning work on his next album. “I’m excited because I’ve received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council to work on my fifth album," he says. "I’m really looking forward to getting back in the studio after spending the past two years promoting and touring my latest record. I’ve been getting anxious to explore some new musical ideas that have been floating around in my head for the past year or so.”
This video marks the second collaboration between Pat and director Sean McLeod, who had previously worked together on the album's first video, “Going As Planned." Sean has recently been added to the roster at 235 Films, joining such industry heavyweights as Harv Glazer, Director X, and Davin Black. Seans’s previous video was for Canadian icon Ashley MacIsaac’s “Poka Rokin”. He has a full slate of upcoming projects including videos for local favorites Years Of Ernest and Efan (Stefan Cvetkovic of Michou’s solo project).
The video can also be seen in rotation on Much Music.
Windsor writer-director Sean McLeod, who recently shot videos for Pat Robitaille and the now-defunct Yellow Wood, has completed a new video for one of the most celebrated Canadian roots musicians, Ashley MacIsaac.
As an extensive world traveler, Ashley's experiences have led him to create his first full-band recording since 2002, Crossover, on his new label So Plaid. Over the course of three years and with six different studios, the combined efforts of Ashley and his musical friends have led to an album with everything from Celtic crossovers to soulful ballads, both instrumental and lyrical. During the recording period, Ashley decided he wanted to follow up in the vein of his first major hit record, “Hi How Are You Today?”
Ashley has ventured into many different genres in the seven albums recorded since then, but Crossover is similar to his first big hit, containing different styles on one album and spanning the range of sounds and influences and musical textures that Celtic music has to offer. It's a testament to his roots and talent and is Ashley at his best, playing uplifting, foot stomping, traditionally rooted tunes, melancholy and soulful tracks and powerful rock jams. (From a press release issued by MacIsaac's management, Talk's Cheap and MacIsaac's bio on his website, www.ashleymacisaac.com)
Writer/director Sean McLeod shared some thoughts in an interview with N2D, posted below the video.
N2D: How did you and Ashley wind up working together?
Sean: It was actually Pat Robitaille who hooked up the collaboration between Ashley and I. Ashley wanted a certain look to match the tune and liked my videos for Yellow Wood and Pat, so we had breakfast one morning and worked it out.
N2D: Where did you shoot it?
Sean: We shot the video at a junkyard in Windsor and rented some warehouse space for the water scenes. We built the set in there.
N2D: Any quirky or great moments?
Sean: The only two issues we really had during the production was we had put a Pelican camera case too close to a generator's exhaust while we were filming and kind of melted a hole in it, luckily the camera and everything that usually goes in that case was with us. The other issue was with a giant 20' by 20' white silk we had erected as a giant bounce board. It basically acts as a sail once you get it up there so you gotta really make sure its anchored and tied off well. Moving that around locations is always an adventure. But other than that everything went smoothly, the crew were great, special shout outs to Steph Copeland, Bronwen Wood and Ryan Pukay who all are amazing help on set!
"Look up. Look waaaaay up." We have a personality now! Well, if you've met us, you know we're already quite the personalities, but now thanks to Windsor writer/director Sean McLeod, our logo reflects that. Canadian. American. Windsor. Detroit. And all Canadian indie music, all the time.
As they say in life, what goes around comes around. McLeod, director of the award-winning video of Yellow Wood's "Chinese Women Unite," contacted Russ to say thanks for his NxEW post about McLeod's efforts to raise money to shoot a video for Pat Robitaille. Russ had tweeted that we were looking for someone to create a logo for N2D, and one day... a logo appeared in our inbox. Thanks, Sean.
If you like our logo, let McLeod know by donating $2 to the Pat Robitaille video project. And if you don't, donate $5.
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