Eulogies “You Hide”
The newest music video from Eulogies has all the sincerity of that Super 8 home movie that your grandparents dig out at every family reunion. With its rich colors and playful attitude, the video for You Hide seems like an unadulterated blast from the past, when your biggest worry was whether to have your birthday party at the roller rink or the park. What makes the project even more endearing is the fact that it marks the directorial debut of eleven-year-old Azul Niño, who teamed up with director Matt Amato to create this nonpareil of delight.
The song, You Hide, written by Eulogies band member and Dangerbird co-founder Peter Walker, is the first single from their latest album, “Tear the Fences Down.” The project signals Peter’s return to the writing scene after tragedy struck the Dangerbird family in 2009.
“These songs became my lifeline. This is a diary of the trauma of war, and ultimately a way out of those horrific depths.” –Peter Walker
So for “You Hide,” The Eulogies wanted a video that embodied the bright-eyed perspective of youth. And who better to capture childhood than an eleven year old! (Ever humble, however, Azul was quick to remind me that he did, after all, co-direct.) Add to that an easy to use camera like the Harinezumi that’s hardly bigger than a roll of 110 film and what you have is bound to be fantastic.
Matt and the band essentially turned the song over to Azul, giving him freedom to let the sounds ruminate around his head. After listening to it he had a very clear vision: “I thought of this dream I had a couple years ago of a girl running away from something and thought that’d be perfect, and then I thought, well, hide and seek! That would be great!” –Azul Niño
And with Matt by his side to help him out, they managed to create a truly charming piece.
“It was amazing, watching them work together. I really like Azul’s uninfluenced interpretation of the song” –Peter Walker
Of all the endearing shots in the video, the images of the storybook are sure to catch your eye. Azul, an avid reader, created the book with the help of a friend to illustrate the adventures of him and his co-star, Romy Flores, as they play throughout the day.
The whole piece has a nostalgic feel to it, like the rediscovery of a memory you forgot about long ago, and it’s just a delight to watch. It’s also solid proof that The Eulogies made the right choice in collaborating with their younger friends. Though they don’t yet have the experience of a Godard or a Bergman, Azul and Romy have a passion for filmmaking that shines through every aspect of their work.
“I loved acting, I really enjoy doing it. I definitely want to pursue it.” –Romy Flores
“I love film, I think that it’s a great art form and that it should be respected more!” –Azul Niño
With lame attitudes all too common in the industry today, maybe a few more Azuls and Romys is just what we need. And with people like Matt and the Eulogies there to help them out, who knows what creative masterpieces will result! The MTV Buzzworthy clip, You Hide premieres at mtvU and is the lead video on MTV’s Subterranean this week.