Long time readers of this blog will be no stranger to Mackenzie Shivers, a New York-based artist featured as part of my New Music Friday series last year. 2017 has been quite a year for Mackenzie and earlier this year she embarked on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, making us jealous with her amazing travel pics.
Evidence:
It turns out that it wasn't all play for Mackenzie and she returns this month with a brand new music video for her track "Names" off the Living in My Head EP.
Mackenzie told me a bit more about her experience and the inspiration for the track:
The video was shot in Australia's Blue Mountains - an incredible experience that came about after I met Aussie actress and filmmaker Lâle Teoman at NYC's own Rockwood Music Hall! I have family living in Sydney and decided to make a trip out of it.
"Names" was written after a trip to Washington DC and finding the name of a family friend etched in stone at the Vietnam Memorial. There was something very stirring about seeing all the beautiful cherry blossoms in the same vicinity as thousands upon thousands of names carved into the memorial. As the lyrics developed, "Names" turned into a love song - one of the few love songs I've written.
Lâle and I wanted to capture the dream-like state being in love and utilize the beauty of the Blue Mountains to their fullest. Lyrics "You by any other name would stay just as kind, you by any other name would be my love" are sung with both whimsy and certainty, birds and an epic Australian sunset floating between frames. The Blue Mountains were the perfect backdrop.
I'm so proud of this video, and working with Lâle in Australia was in itself a dream come true. I hope you enjoy it.
I have to be honest, I think it would be impossible not to like the video. The cinematography is beautiful as is the track itself. Take a look below and let me know what you think.
The Living In My Head EP is available to buy from Bandcamp
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