Playlist: Simon Owens

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

It’s not that recent but within the last couple of years of music video it’s really stuck in my mind, Rosalia - Malamente by CANADA, it’s beautifully executed, each scene has a point and drives the video on, and within the realm of a pop music video has some brilliantly inventive set-ups, the back of a truck performance set-up alone is worth a thousand music videos.

What’s the first promo you remember being impressed by?

A-ha - Take on me.

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

Daft Punk - Da Funk by Spike Jonze.

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

The list is endless, here’s a few that bubble up more than most: Ryan Trecartin, Monty Python, Leos Carax, Michael Haneke, The Simpsons, Fluxus, Pixar movies, Philipe Genty, Jim Henson, Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, Hugo Suarez and Ines Pasic, Jan Svankmajer.

What are you listening to at the moment? 

At the moment i’m mostly listening to the music for my next two music videos (if we can make them in this climate). 

Otherwise ‘Tropical Fuck Storm’ (terrible name I know), who for me are the best “newish” band in the world right now.

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

seesense bike lights.

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

Tropical Fuck Storm, I love their mix of song craft, melody and distortion/noise, and visually they seem to be interested in making something different. I like the current subversion of pop with Taylor Swift and the little niggle of edge she has, it’s a great area to amplify in music video, and i’d love to explore the freak side of Kanye West.