On a beautiful day last May while I was attending the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) Conference in Halifax, Sarah Denim and Nicole Cecile Holland of AT LAND FILMS shot a video of me performing an audience favourite, THE GAZE by Shona Thomson.
This video was shot in a gorgeous apartment by the Halifax waterfront which our friend Laura Simpson of Side Door found for us. Evan Cox of One Sound captured the audio and Lyle Crilly took photos.
There is something truly magical about THE GAZE. It reminds me of those moments when we ache to return to a special time in our lives.
In creating the film, Shona Thomson took archival footage from an old 1940’s film that was shot in Wilmington, North Carolina. Originally on 16mm film, it was transferred to analogue video then to digital file. “Losing a generation with each transfer, the film’s history is reflected in its format.” – Shona Thomson.
Thomson pieced together every moment when someone was gazing back at the camera. She also sent me a gorgeous poem she wrote which inspired me to compose the music for voice and omnichord. Craig Follett later added electric bass influenced by Swedish band, The Cardigans.
THE GAZE reminds me of how important it is to capture our memories because nothing ever stays the same. We all have something special to share with the world.