Andrew Hamilton Directs a One-Shot Mosaic For Electro Pop Duo aiwake

At the start of the summer, Andrew Hamilton and TrePalm unveiled a new project for aiwake, an electro-pop duo comprising of two Toronto artists Dorian Voos and Euan Robertson. 

The concept is a blend of live performance with a narrative of brokenness between two lovers. The story begins in an apartment living room where Dorian and Euan perform a stripped, organic version of the track. Midway through, while still rolling, the shot follows the actors down the stairs from the apartment to a beautifully-lit bar where the track metamorphoses into a sonic dream, as the members are now performing in bloom on the stage among the patrons. Through the help of online record label and curators, Majestic Casual, the video became a talk of the art community. 

Left Bank Magazine writes: "There are so many times that I wish I would come across a track and like the one that aiwake has created to perfection with 'Tonight.'"

ChillFiltr writes: "We get a feeling for the muted blues and red of Toronto at night, while aiwake channel feelings of despair and melancholy, alongside a wistful sense of hope. It is as if the old-guard of smoky jazz-club performance is currently yielding to an electronic watershed of urban renewal and beat-sequencing, and [...] the result is a deeply personal and satisfying look at these luminaries of indie-electronic when we extend what is possible in the context of a single camera shot."

Andrew is a director that does not lean toward "the usual" as the status quo in short form storytelling is changing at a rapid pace. Having worked on Drake's '5AM in Toronto,' this video is different from his previous work.

The video is done in a single take taking place at night, where daytime was used as a rehearsal with the camera department, led by rising DOP Dennis Grishnin, and the actors. As night fell, the shoot began, and wrapped thereafter in the early hours of the morning. The video's colour was graded by senior colourist Joseph Brickell of esteemed NYC post-house Company 3.

Below, director Andrew goes into the details of the project:

Q> What makes this video different from the other music videos you have directed?

Andrew> Tonight was immediately different thanks to the live component. We know that they had to create a situation where they were able to preform the song live, but as a visual I was concerned with what we’d evoke from the audience. The track has a certain emotional weight that I didn’t want to ignore for simply a staged performance. We got talking and I came back to them with a concept that would tell a narrative through mood and lighting, and all in one take. As the project developed we incorporated the dance element at the end of the video, which was the cherry on top of this fever dream of a video. It really pushed me as a narrative director, and felt more like a silent film project than anything.

Q> What makes this collaboration between you and aiwake a strong one?

The collaboration between aiwake and I has always been a special one. There is a ton of creative trust between the two parties, and we always talk about the ideas at length. Dorian and Euan both are extremely artistic people and their talents spread past music. They both have a keen sense for visuals, and a great respect for artistry in any form, which goes a long way when you’re developing an idea as a team. Lastly, we’re not afraid to be honest with each other. If we hate something, we hate it. We all love it, then it’s a celebration, but the honesty is always there. Just like any relationship, it’s allowed us to flourish.

Q> Any other thoughts regarding this production?

The video is an ode to the nights out with your friends, thinking about someone that is long gone. It’s something that we all experience in this new landscape of accelerated relationships, but it doesn’t make the feeling any less shit. Love is truly an undefinable emotion, but it’s one that leads above all others. I wanted to focus on that grey area and give people a second to lose themselves in their own sadness.