Playlist: Mario Clement

What’s the best music video you’ve seen recently and why?

“Best” is a big word, but Troye Sivan - Rush definitely made a big impression on me. It's striking for its genuine, honest, and liberated vibe, which is quite refreshing for a pop star like Sivan. The collaboration with Gordon von Steiner and the team is phenomenal, and I bet this video will be a significant point of reference in the future. It's super bold in celebrating queer themes and feels like an artist has really found their unique voice, both artistically and in terms of sexual liberation. Living in Berlin, I always find it exciting to see how directors from other places capture the essence of our city and bring new perspectives.

What’s the first music video you remember being impressed by?

A few moments stand out. Everything they did for Michael Jackson was mind-blowing. I vaguely remember watching Thriller in a 3D cinema at Disneyland in Paris as a kid, but maybe my memory is embellishing it. 

Then, I remember when Windows 95 shipped, you could watch Weezer - Buddy Holly on it, which was kind of crazy back then. I must have watched that video a million times. 

Another video that touched me is Radiohead - No Surprises. I guess I have always been a big fan of simplicity with a strong emotional impact.

And what’s your all-time favourite music video?

Can I pick two? When I started working in film, commercials, and music videos, two very unique music videos resonated deeply with me. The first is by James Vincent McMorrow - Red Dust, directed by Aoife McArdle. It's a beautiful song paired with what was, at the time, a unique visual storytelling approach in music videos. 

The second is by JUSTICE - Stress, directed by Romain Gavras, which was raw, authentic, and powerful like I've never seen before and probably haven't since.

What other directors/artists do you look to for inspiration?

The two directors mentioned above are always great inspirations. I recently discovered Kristoffer Borgli and am just baffled by what he creates. Another Norwegian director I admire greatly is Joachim Trier. I'm a forever fan of Paul Thomas Anderson as well as Denis Villeneuve. Apart from other filmmakers, minimalism in art, music, and literature continually fascinates me, like the works of Raymond Carver. Finding beauty in everyday life, in the subtle nuances of human relationships, this is what I live for.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Anne Müller – Heliopause, Fred Again… & Brian Eno – Secret Life, Holly Humberstone – Paint My Bedroom Black, Rob Moose – Inflorescence EP, and The Endel App.

ABOVE: Hildur Guðnadóttir

What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?

I have absolutely fallen in love with Chat GPT as both a creative tool and an assistant.

What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?

It would be an absolute dream to collaborate with Hildur Guðnadóttir. Her work is so emotionally charged and evocative. It would be a phenomenal experience. Her compositions aren't just sounds; they're experiences that touch the soul, blending raw emotion with haunting beauty. Collaborating with her would mean creating something that resonates deeply, full of soul and sensitivity.

How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?

Honestly, I feel we're living in a really weird time for promos. I've heard artists are choosing to allocate their budgets to TikTok content over music videos for greater reach. While I get the marketing angle, this shift detracts from the artists' overall experience and identity. Aren't we all creating art to make our mark in the world? Andy Warhol's idea of everyone being famous for 15 minutes rings true, but will "content" be memorable or leave a cultural imprint? I don't think so.