Late Slip has released an entertaining music video for the single “Never Understand” off their debut EP, Other Men.
The concept was created by the video’s director, Nicolai Schuemann and filmed on location in New York City in April 2018. The video opens with Chelsea (Late Slip guitarist/vocalist) seeing a large plush lonely looking dog that is sitting by itself on a park bench. After she befriends the dog, the two run off hand-in-paw and blissfully ignoring the “No Dogs Allowed” sign, have some fun on the swings.
The action on the swings is filmed from the front, not from the side as you would expect. This technique gives you a front row seat to observe the two new friends sharing the moment. The shot creates a kind of 3D effect that makes you flinch or want to duck when the legs of Chelsea and the dog fly at you in a chopped slow motion.
Their adventures, however, are only beginning as they run around New York City matching the backdrop of the energetic beat of “Never Understand”. The song’s melancholy lyrics lament about being in love but your lover doesn’t reciprocate and instead runs away, leaving you wondering why they would treat you so badly. This invariably can also apply between friends where one thinks it’s best to leave the friendship even if the other person doesn’t want it to end. It casts a prophetic feeling over the story of Chelsea and the dog.
Chelsea and her dog buddy enjoy a friendly arm-wrestling contest on a cement chess-board and then exit the park. They take a stroll down a deserted residential street hand-in-paw to the Niagra Bar. Here, they take a moment to admire the famous mural in memory of Joe Strummer (co-founder/lead vocalist/guitarist of the Clash) on an outside wall of the bar. The mural’s vibrant colors of Joe’s portrait really pop through the use of a fishbowl lens.
Continuing on their way, Chelsea and the dog are enthusiastically greeted on the street by dogs and their owners out for a walk. The unscripted encounters are hilarious as the dogs check out the really tall dog that stands on two feet. One large poodle grabs or bites the big plush dog on the nose in an apparent attempt to defend its owners.
Chelsea and the dog do a little yoga, play ping pong with their hands (and paws), and enjoy a cup of coffee in a cafe where again they ignore the sign that says no dogs allowed, check out the outside food markets, dance, and ignore the strange looks that people give them. They’re in their own little world of happiness where no one exists but them.
An argument at a skateboard park threatens to derail their whole adventure, but in a scene that is touching and warm, the dog ends the standoff and they grab each other in a big, plushy hug. A sweet lesson learned that arguments can ruin a good time and its best to make up and move on. They dance, take in the scenery, and then ride on the subway where you can see people holding conversations and not paying any attention to them.
There is a wonderful time-lapsed photography scene where Chelsea and the dog are sitting down and leaning against each other. The traffic and people on the street are whizzing by but time stands still for the exhausted looking Chelsea and her friend.
The adventure ends with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge where the two friends realize they must part ways. The sadness emanates from them both as they look into each other’s eyes and hug fiercely. The parting shot of them as they wave goodbye brings the full circle of the song, showing how it feels to watch your friend that you love being with just leave.
The video effectively captures the message of “Never Understand” from the viewpoint of a newly formed friendship. You can actually feel the highs, lows, and the eventual unforeseen end of it. The song’s melody will have you dancing but the video will capture your heart.
The video was filmed by Mauro Fernandez and stars actor Adriel Irizarry as The Dog. Music/Lyrics by Chelsea Nenni. Vocals: Chelsea Nenni Guitar, Bass: Aaron Araki Drums, Additional Percussion: Cian Riordan
Q&A with Chelsea Nenni
I recently interviewed Chelsea Nenni, vocalist for Late Slip, via email to learn more about the video.
What is the concept of the video for your song “Never Understand”?
I meet this sad little dog in the park and befriend him. We spend the rest of our time running around New York City having adventures. We have a fight at one point (in front of the Lower East Side skate park), but then we make up and keep having fun. At the end, we know it’s best to go our separate ways, so he leaves. I’m sad about it, but happy we met.
How did you come up with the concept?
The director, Nicolai Scheumann, came up with the concept and approached me with the idea to make the music video. It was fun to let someone else take the lead for a change! He did an amazing job.
Where was the video filmed? Why did you pick each of those locations?
It was filmed mostly in the East Village and Lower East Side of Manhattan and also a bit by the Brooklyn Bridge. The director chose these locations ahead of time and I’m so glad he did. The East Village is my favorite neighborhood in New York City — it’s where I called home while I was living in New York.
In the video, you stop to look at the famous mural dedicated to the memory of Joe Strummer located on the outside wall of the Niagra Bar. Why did you include that in the video? Does it hold a special meaning for you?
I love the Clash very much and that mural of Joe Strummer has always been one of my favorite things about living in the East Village. The mural wasn’t originally supposed to be in the video but I asked the director if we could include it and he said yes. 🙂
There are a couple of funny scenes of people’s dogs taking an interest in The Dog. What other kinds of reactions did you experience from people when you were filming?
Oh man, people’s reactions were so hilarious. The video shoot took all day, so the giant dog and I were walking around New York City together for eight hours. We met a lot of real dogs, there was a hug from a little kid, tons of people taking pictures, and plenty of high fives.
What do you want people to come away with after watching the video?
I just want everyone to see how beautiful New York City is and how cool dogs are. Even though Late Slip is LA-based again, New York will always be very, very special to me. I’m so glad I got to shoot two killer music videos while living there.
Purchase Other Men EP on major platforms including Bandcamp, iTunes, Google Play , Amazon and Apple Music. Grab a CD of Other Men available at Late Slip shows and on Bandcamp.
For show information and more, check out Late Slip’s website.
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