NAO Drops Escapist Promo for ‘Make It Out Alive’ Directed by Joe Nankin

Fresh from announcing the upcoming release of second album ‘Saturn’ on 26th October, British singer-songwriter and record-producer NAO, releases a music video for album track ‘Make It Out Alive’. 

Directed by Joe Nankin the music video employs his signature slow pace and intimate, probing character portraits. Set in the outskirts of Lancaster, California, the film explores subtle symbolism to reflect themes of being adrift in emotional limbo.

Director Joe Nankin comments: “The lyrics of Nao’s track are about desiring change but not knowing how to manifest it, about feeling stuck. We created a tapestry of imagery that directly or subconsciously spoke to these themes. The video follows a mythological legacy that the physical path is a metaphysical space of personal change. Nao and SiR’s performances are staged against the archetypal “road” adorned with a mosaic of beginnings and ends, impressions of past lives, passages, thresholds, liminal deities and lost souls. It’s a tried and timeless journey, but hopefully presented in a way that is new and thoroughly Nao.”

The new video comes alongside the announcement that Nankin has signed to London-based production company, COMPULSORY for music, commercials and film in the UK. ‘Make it Out Alive’ is the first project to be produced by COMPULSORY for the director.

Founding Partner and Executive Producer at COMPULSORY, Kiran Mandla comments: “Joe has been on our radar for a while now and it’s great to be working with him on a few projects already. He’s an exceptionally talented director with experience that transcends different mediums, something we have in common. Joe has found a strong voice in music videos and will continue to, but we are excited about partnering him with the right creatives and brands to push the boundaries of his filmmaking potential.” He continues: “He has already made an impact, recently working with Converse and UNDFTD on an incredible brand partnership that sees his work playing at the Milano Film Festival this month. We are always of the mindset to open doors and create new opportunities for our talent that they might not have been exposed to.”

Joe Nankin adds: “When COMPULSORY first approached me, I was struck by the deep devotion they have to their directors. They are invested in the long-term creative potential of their talent across all mediums in the industry, thus truly valuing director’s vision. I feel they are genuinely excited about the artistic value of our work and operate on a scale that allows them to have individualised relationships with each member of their roster. It’s treated as a family of which I’m thrilled to be a part of.”