Let me tell you...

About a few new animation videos I've made recently!


Ride On Time



The first is for my radical reinterpretation of this stomping Italo house hit for Black Box back in 1989 (a track that got into choppy legal waters through its unauthorised sampling of Loleatta Holloway's 'Love Sensation').

My take on the track is a slowly unfolding thing of beauty, with a typically sumptuous lead vocal from regular collaborator Alexandra Howlett, previously heard on 'Luco' and 'The Up Shit Creek Blues'. Meanwhile, the Cherry Mint Koala guys - Tony Woollard and Charlie Brown - do their usual magic on the old strings. It's a slight edit of the opening cut from the 'European Dream' album.

The video is a simple affair (by my standards) involving a truckload of matches and not a lot else. Realising the pulse was approx one beat per second, I thought it would be quite effective to use this details to mark the passage of time through the song, and the stark image of matches on black background prove hypnotically effective. Sometimes, less really is more.



Lidl Briton

This song is not actually by me at all, but rather the very talented Matthew Crutchlow. Earlier in the summer he asked if I would be interested to create an animation video for this track, explaining that all the proceeds would be going to the charity Barnado's for their work with young carers. The lyrics of the song make it clear what the connection is. 

As Matthew had previously helped me out with vocals - on 'Waiting For Green' and 'You Don't Need Me To Tell You That' - I thought it only fair to return the favour. But it also helped that I fell in love with the song, which to me carries distinct tones of the late great Kirsty MacColl in both its harmonies and lyrical bite. 

The video follows the song's 12 year old main character as he faces various challenges on his lonely and difficult journey, but his hope and optimism still manage to shine through. 

Lidl Briton is available through most stores and streaming services, but do consider buying the track through his Bandcamp store as there is only a minimum price given. This means you can effectively donate more if you wish.