Madi Diaz
Let’s Go is a vocal and visual testament to the indelible moments that fill our lives; the people, places, and times that define our memories. Madi Diaz’s debut single is a soaring adventure ballad, which director Matt Amato pairs with vibrant snapshots of everyday life, from moments of reflection to the most magical of summer experiences.
For the video, Madi wanted to create an “attainable dream state,” visualizing the sense of unrestrained joy that lives within the best of moments. To express the point of view of the songwriter and musicians in the most immediate way, Matt turned to PowerShovel’s Harinezumi camera, the ideal of which is to capture “laughter and delight” in our daily lives. Known for its dreamy, color saturated visuals, the Harinezumi’s tiny size makes it the perfect camera for unique moments. “You are like a child looking forward to a field trip, hoping it won’t rain.” According to PowerShovel’s philosophy, “a camera signifies hope.”
“I gave Kyle and Madi cameras as soon as I met them, and they immediately showed interest and got super creative with it.” Matt escorted east coast based Madi and guitarist Kyle Ryan around LA, shooting his own Harinezumi footage while the two experimented with their cameras. From Venice Beach to Elysian Park, the musicians captured great shots, many of which made the final cut.
Matt also dealt out Harinezumi cameras to fellow artists and friends, seeking authentic summer adventures. Actor Brandon Lim shot in Hawaii. Actress Jillian Federman filmed her exploits hiking, rock climbing, and surfing. Writer/directors A.P. Fischer and Stanton Dean made use of a first date to shoot romantic visuals in a Minneapolis park. Photographer Adarsha Benjamin focused on her sister’s visit and a subsequent photo shoot. Musician Grant Leuchtner shot everything from day to day moments in his apartment to a trip to Magic Mountain.
The footage was fit into the framework of Madi’s creative life, comprised of moments of reflection, songwriting, and performance. “The song has this whole new life,” says Madi, “and the vignettes punctuate it with so much personality that we would never have been able to witness.” To further the energy and spirit of the video, The Masses hosted a party and concert for Madi, capturing her performance with luminous, atmospheric photography courtesy of cinemtographer, David Myrick. The Harinezumi vignettes mixed with HD footage create a piece that is both fresh and nostalgic.
“It was a fun project because every element was set up to seem organic by the time we filmed it,” says Matt. “Everything did flow together naturally, which gave the camera something genuine to record. We laughed a lot.”
The video makes its premiere on IFC. Filled with light, color, and life, Let’s Go captures the beauty of youth, relationships, and the joy that an adventurous spirit can bring.