Interview: Denise Marsa Chats About New Music Video for "Hole" (Until Dawn Remix)
- Tara Lakatos
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Interview with Denise Marsa about her new music video for "Hole" (Until Dawn Remix)
What inspired the concept for the music video?
I wanted to bring light to the song, as it is a pretty heavy topic and I thought what better place than a music store. Music is healing for so many and I wanted to feature an environment that was supportive and warm. Of course, my neighborhood music store was the perfect spot and when I asked Jeff Slatnick if we could film the music video there, he said yes, without a pause.
How does the video reflect the themes or story of the song?
Well crawling into a hole, or an escape, is the first reflection of the song’s lyrics. I also think the song and its sections have a specific musicality to them, as in three separate sections, verse, pre-chorus and then chorus to tie in to the three parts of the store we filmed in. A place where so many unique and cool instruments are hanging and on display everywhere, the records, and then the history of the Music Inn and how the energy it has evoked over the years has been preserved, it is a treasured space, that is HOLE’s intention. Find your peace, your freedom and your self-expression.
Are there any hidden meanings or Easter eggs in the video?
Interesting question. Not sure people have caught the concept, however as I am sitting down at the desk/table when Francis and Stephanie walk in, at the very top of the video, I am in fact portraying a salesperson. Welcoming them and showing them around. Also there is one album cover that is in the frame for a bit and I wonder if anyone caught the album title. This is a go see and find moment. I loved it when I caught it.
What was the most exciting part of filming the video?
Every moment really, it just all came together. I had the concept in mind and was calling out directions as we went. If I were to pick one moment that was truly fun and spontaneous, it was when we were downstairs, and Stephanie, Francis and I were moving like a train, connected with our hands on our shoulders, and dancing in the narrow hallway, which was planned. At one point as the music goes into the second and last chorus I said ok every - break the chain and turn around and start dancing in circles and we were laughing and I was trying to keep the lip-syncing going as I was laughing. It was a blast.
What was the process of working with the director and production team like?
We had a pretty small team. I directed it, and Jake Ehrlich, who is a great camera man and editor who has a great eye, handled all the production. We have worked together a few times now. He also has a top-of-the-line camera, and that makes a difference. I wanted it to be a single camera shoot, and wanted him to have it on his shoulder, which most of the time he did, as I was moving around a lot. In the opening shots he uses a tri-pod. I edited the piece and then he colored it and did a few tweaks and all in all we spent maybe 6-8 hours on it total, filming and editing. More time has gone into the promotion, ha!
Were there any scenes or visuals that pushed you creatively or emotionally?
The entire experience. It was a full circle moment working in the West Village and with my first NYC guitarist, my niece, the musical instruments and all they represent and the magical moments that flow with the music as we discover the secret paths and parts of the store. The love and support was so encouraging.
What do you think the music video adds to the song that the audio alone cannot?
As I said in your first question, hope, light, connection and music is a healing experience for many of us.
Are there any behind-the-scenes moments you’d like to share with fans?
Maybe, however, I like to keep a few secrets…
What’s next for you creatively after this video release?
Working on a remix of a brand-new song I wrote on an acoustic piano. I typically work on my electric keyboard, however I was spending time in Tucson, AZ recently and I had a piano at my fingertips and wrote a new song EVER DIE, which is currently in the hands of Jim Sullivan and Craig Jones, my remix team in the UK.
Anything Else That You'd Like the Fans to Know.
I would love them to watch, comment, like and share the video on YT and the song on their favorite platforms and social media accounts. In a few weeks we are plugging HOLE (Until Dawn Remix) to BBC Radio 2, as the song right now is #17 on the Music Week Commercial Pop Dance Charts and they always look at what is going on around the track. It is tough to get onto the UK charts and It would be an amazing accomplishment for all of us involved, to have the song on mainstream national radio in the UK. You’d probably hear me screaming from my West Village studio apartment, “We did it!” My story is not a common one…
Link to Video:
Comments