Same Place, Different Sound

By: Chandra Johnson & Erik DeFruscio

Replication is something done time and time again in music, whether it’s covers, tributes or inspiration. The concept of replication (not to be confused with imitation) is flattering, but what about when two artists shoot a video at the same place?

This could just purely be coincidence, but what draws two completely different artist to the same location – the visual representation of their song – unknowingly? Take Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” music video and R. Kelly’s “Cookie;” both artists who are from completely different wheelhouses chose the Oheka Castle as their backdrop. One to show a lavish king-like  lifestyle, the other to show how despite having all of these “incredible things,” in fact, has nothing and can replace a man just like the fancy vase she smashes.  Sets are often used and reused by artists (it’s said that the “Baby One More Time” school is reused) for time and money sake.

Today, Philadelphia musician Jesse Hale Moore and avant-pop outfit Chairlift released music videos for their latest singles. And just like Swift and Kelly, two completely different artists chose the same location- New York City’s Chinatown district.

Moore’s video for “Every Time” features him meandering down the street emoting empty stares as he walks past closed stores and neon signs. Also there is an electric keyboard that Moore plays with large fluorescent lights behind him, mimicking the raw feeling he describes in his music.

Chairlift’s “Romeo” is fast pace, literally, Caroline Polachek is running/fleeing down the street.  Bright lights shimmer around her as she croons with visuals spawning more bright reds, beautiful golds and flashy blues. Inside an arcade and classic souvenir shop adorned with figurines and tassels, Polachek’s blunt haircut and lipstick pop against her white outfit, her mouth as mesmerizing as the scenery.  All the meanwhile a man (the assumed Romeo) is constantly showing up out of nowhere.

It’s a video about outrunning something or someone – the chase and thrill of it all, whereas Moore’s song and video both show the desolateness when someone walks out of your life. But similarly, these two artists use the city’s technicolor, neon world to play up their emotions. Now that heightened sensibility is something that’s universally relatable.