Playlist: Gemma Warren

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

I just watched the 28 minute Rosalía - Motomami live performance for TikTok directed by Stillz and was blown away. 

I’ve always been a Rosalía fan and feels like she never fails to push visual boundaries but I was really impressed by the obvious intention of making this video interactive for TikTok/iphone consumption and thought the attention given to the conceptual details for each track was beautiful.

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

I remember watching Fatboy Slim - Praise You directed by Spike Jonze, when I was 10 and thinking what the hell..

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

I saw Alexandre Moors already beat me to it in his interview with Jonathan Glazer’s video for Unkle - Rabbit in Your Headlights.

But equally best for me would be Daniel Wolfe’s music video for Paulo Nutini - Iron Sky shot in Kyiv, Ukraine 2014. It’s perfectly moving, cinematic, powerful and the casting and locations are remarkable. 

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

When I started directing I wasn’t looking to film or other film-based work for influence but started from photography. Bruce Gilden was my first big influence although there’s very little now in my work that would be visually or emotionally influenced by his practice. I don’t think it’s about other artists specifically where I draw inspiration but visual representations that speak to me through feeling. 

Whenever I get a new artist to write for the first thing I do is isolate myself in nature through walking, driving or biking and listen to the song on repeat till I land with something that speaks to me without any visual distractions. 

What are you listening to at the moment?

Last listened on my Spotify was Darkside, but I’ve been into an artist I came across when doing some score research called Ekambi Brilliant... and he really is brilliant. Lots of African funk and disco. Usually I have an eclectic taste and go anywhere from deep classical to 90’s euro. 

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

Honestly I’m an analogue girl, my car is from the 80’s and I only just learnt how to Apply Pay. I avoid most tech trends and think the only thing I own other than my mac and iPhone would be my Theragun if that counts?