Artist:
ALIALUJAH CHOIR
Label:
WOODPHONE RECORDS/JEALOUS BUTCHER RECORDS
Video:
“A HOUSE, A HOME”
Director:
Daniel Fickle
Add Date:
April 12, 2012

Sometimes a song is so powerful that just simply hearing it will compel fellow artistic spirits into action. And sometimes a video is so powerful that it inspires those who see it to dig deeper into the story behind and just learn a little bit of history themselves. But it’s rare that the video and song come together in such a powerful presentation that there are very few words that could describe how stunning it really is. But as is our duty, we shall try.

First, allow us to introduce you to Alialujah Choir from Portland, OR. A collection of well known artists in the Pacific Northwest scene, Alialujah Choir was assembled by Adam Shearer and Aila Farah of Weinland and Adam Selzer of Norfolk & Western and M. Ward. When they gathered to record their new single “A House, A Home” and full length, self-titled debut album, they simply wanted to so make music for the sake of making music together and to find an escape from the frantic lifestyle of touring musicians. They had no commercial ambitions, just artistic ones, but a funny thing happened along the way; they made a seriously accessible record, largely due to the producing skills of Selzer and the comfortable confines of the Type Foundry studio. The album is chock full of of rich layers of sound created with sparse instrumentation, and there’s never a lacking moment from the beginning to end.

The single for “A House, A Home” is inspired by the true story of Dr. James Hawthorne, a respected 19th Century physician whose approach to treatment for patients with mental illness was respected and admired for the attention and kindness he offered, at a time when many others were quick to discard them and cast them aside. Written from the perspective of a young man in Dr. Hawthorne’s care, the lyrics deal with his conflicting emotions about the girl he has been in love with during his time at the Oregon Hospital For The Insane, but whom he also suspects of having a relationship with Dr. Hawthorne. The man is convinced of his suspicions after seeing her leaving the Doctor’s office and takes his own life. Only in the afterlife when he is cured of his afflictions can he see he was wrong and that his own condition lead him to believe in things that were not true or wildly exaggerating his own fears, but luckily he is able to take comfort knowing that the girl does indeed reciprocate his feelings and he is able to find peace with himself.

To accompany such a story with a fitting music video would take a directing team with a vision and a boldness to compliment the grandeur of “A House, A Home”, and that team has been found in director Daniel Fickle and production designer Mark Smith. They’ve taken on the task and produced a video that is so stunning that we are willing to bet that you will come back to this video immediately to take another look and absorb the meticulous attention to detail, both visually in the sets and in the top notch acting that the male and female lead give throughout. Over the course of the clip, they portray a couple that are confined in their space, but free in their spirits and imaginations, skipping from one ornately decorated room to another in just the blink of an eye. Perhaps a metaphor for the mental illness they suffer from and the feelings of being trapped in their own minds, it is nonetheless a touching look at how the feeling of love and dedication can overcome many worldly problems we may have and that sometimes all we need is somebody to share the load with.

We’re very excited to be working with Mark Smith and the entire Alialujah Choir crew to bring you this gorgeous new clip. We’re here to get you whatever it is you may need in order to get this video as much programming as possible, so don’t hesitate to be in touch! For more info, contact Andy Gesner at HIP Video Promo at 732-613-1779 or email at info@HIPVideoPromo.com. You can also visit www.HIPVideoPromo.com, www.Alialujah.com or www.DanielFickle.com for more info about Alialujah Choir.

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