Jack Colwell debuts music video set in gay sauna
By Nick Bond
Is 2015 the year of the sauna in music videos? Back in June, Will Young set the video for his current single Thank You in the confines of a dark, sweaty sauna. Now, out Aussie indie singer-songwriter Jack Colwell has one-upped him, filming the clip for his new single Don’t Cry These Tears in an even sweatier setting (yep, there is much flesh on display – including the singer’s own). Honestly, not since Britney writhed around nude in the video for Womanizer has the humble sauna had such a moment in the musical spotlight.
We caught up with Jack to find out about the inspiration for the (possibly NSFW) video to his stunning new single, which you can watch below.
Jack, where did the idea for the video come from?
There were so many ideas originally! [Filmmakers] Brian & Karl made a video for my first single, Far From View, and had originally planned a continuation of our first clip’s narrative. We ran into funding trouble and discussed all sorts of ideas – at one point the video was supposed to be a low budget variety show hosted by [Australian actor] Noah Taylor. In the end, we wanted something gritty, striking and confronting. Something that showed my development into a more mature artist, and thus the bathhouse was born.
Were you involved with the casting process?
Funnily, no! Some of the gents were friends of the directors, and others were invited to join the shoot via Scruff.
Shooting the video must have made for quite a strange day on set…
I don’t know if strange is the particular word I would use, but it was very intense… and pressured by time as well. It was filmed over 24 hours in Woodford, and I was flying back to Sydney the next day. Everybody was very professional, clothes came off when the cameras rolled and modesty towels were provided in between shots. Lots of spilt baby oil made for an interesting smell amongst the thick dry ice that hung in the air. Personally for me, the shoot was very exhausting – having a nervous breakdown is hard enough, but especially difficult when you have to do repeat performances on camera.
I was going through a breakup at the time though so I’d like it to be noted that while the song says to hold back the waterworks, the tears provided are the artist’s own.
Were there any nerves about getting your kit off at the end of the video?
Not really! I’ve always been a ‘slow naked walk to the shower’ kind of guy. Not because I’m overly body confident, but I’m certainly not shy, and if the role calls for it you’ve just got to get on with the job – bare cheeks and all. The comments on my derriere have all been most complimentary!
Where can those of us outside your native Australia hear more of your stuff?
My latest EP, Only When Flooded Could I Let Go, will be released internationally on Aug 28. For now, people can pre-order on iTunes where they’ll receive my first two singles, Far From View and Don’t Cry Those Tears instantly. It’s a good small collection of songs for a lonely evening, much like the way they were written in the first place.
JACK COLWELL // Don’t Cry Those Tears from Brian and Karl on Vimeo.
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