Last month we reviewed Chaidura’s latest single “Memory” and it was our most read blog in January. The final single from his EP “Temple Paradise”, a tale of trusting and respecting oneself, learning from previous mistakes and growing up to be a better version of yourself resonated with many of our readers. Chaidura is not resting. He is not only preparing to play shows in the UK and abroad (Singapore), but he has just released a music video to “Memory”, and you can’t afford to miss it.
Chaidura on the set of “Memory”, picture by Leah Charis Cox
One thing I absolutely love about Chaidura is his openness and keeping his fans up to date with everything that is happening in his artistic camp. Lots of young creators are sharing every detail of their lives online, but Chaidura manages to keep his socials interesting without revealing too much. Instead, he shares details about his projects, video making, recordings or touring in a way that keeps people interested and engaged.
With the debut of “Memory” earlier today on YouTube, Chaidura posted more information about the music video. “This was definitely the most solemn music video we’ve ever shot” he revealed on Instagram. “We literally filmed it in a graveyard, and as you might know, the song is about saying goodbye to your past self. Just being there and performing this song was incredibly powerful, and I’m so proud of this work”.
The video to “Memory” is indeed a brilliant piece of videography but we will get there in a moment. It can serve as a great example that a good idea is so much more important than money. Seriously, I have been writing about this for several years now – lack of a big budget is not necessary to film a successful music video. You can even use your phone to film and the results will be really good, most phones allow you to record in 4k resolution these days.
If you are an unsigned artist or new to the indie music business, please do not look at videos made for acts signed to major labels and think you will never be able to match them. You can, all you really need is some editing software or renting a photography studio or shooting in an interesting outdoor area. There is free editing software online you can learn to use, renting a studio can cost about £120 pounds for a day. Some of the artists we help, have thousands of views on their videos that were shot and edited on a £50 budget. Perseverance and imagination are the keys.
“Memory” was produced, mixed and mastered by Alex Copp (Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, As December Falls, Led By Lanterns) and shot by Sorin D Visuals (Sorin Diaconescu) alongside photographer Leah Charis Cox known online as four.walls.and.a.door. Both are Chaidura’s close collaborators, Sorin shot two videos from Temple Paradise, “Temple Paradise” and “PanicMan” and Leah is responsible for Chaidura’s dark and spellbinding pictures you have probably seen promoting his every single. This trio works magic when working together. Of course, let’s not forget the leading actress, Ellie Harrison, who has played the role of Ellie, the main character from “Temple Paradise” universe since the beginning.
Ellie deserves a longer paragraph. She appeared in all previous videos: the mentioned earlier “Temple Paradise“, “Panic Man“, and in “The Light” and “Basilisk”. You need to see all of them to understand her journey from the beginning to the closing chapter. In “Memory”, Ellie undergoes a real transformation – from a weak and confused person, to a grown up woman who knows her self worth and who is choosing to leave her past behind. No spoilers here, but she has some unique companions on her journey – spirits and wraiths, but then we all have our own personal demons to beat, right?
“Memory”, as Chaidura explained, finds Ellie in the cemetery where we see her pray. Dressed in white dress adorned with colorful embroidered flowers, she walks between graves thinking about things she encountered and paying respect to her past choices. She is now fully at peace with herself, she knows where she is going and what lies ahead – yet she fondly looks at the memories, saying farewell to that part of her life that’s ending. There is a tender scene where she dances with Chaidura, a spirit that was her companion, only to slowly walk away. It’s very touching, beautifully edited and acted. In the last scene, we see Ellie leaving the graveyard and there is a normal street in the distance, with passing cars and street lights being turned on as the darkness falls. We do not know what Ellie is going to do, but she will be ok. She leaves the world of torment, and spirits to lead, what seems like a future happy life.
And what of the spirit that Chaidura plays? I’m still having doubts about him. I’ not sure if he was helping or tormenting Ellie, but now he is left alone. Maybe he will look for another lost soul, or perhaps, he will return to the Temple Paradise where he belongs.
Whatever he is up to, we shall probably never know.
Follow Chaidura online:
https://chaidura.myshopify.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chaiduraofficial
https://www.instagram.com/chaidura _
https://www.tiktok.com/@chaidura
https://soundcloud.com/chaidura
https://www.youtube.com/@chaidura
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5G44MxEPEbE3JMDz1azv9N
https://discord.com/invite/xEAftePfdY
“Memory” video is available on YouTube, the song can be streamed from all streaming sites.
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 