Video: Don McGlashan - Hold Onto Your Loneliness (UTR Premiere)

A new video making use of 360° technology is being unveiled by Don McGlashan for 'Hold Onto You Loneliness', a wistful song lifted off his latest album Lucky Stars. Directed by Ian Hughes and starring actress Kate Elliot, the clip was shot using a three-lens camera solution and then sent into post-production to stitch the three videos together to complete a full 360 degree world, which allows the viewer to move around and watch the story unfold from multiple angles. Check it out and then read our interview with Don below...

Hi Don, your new video for ‘Hold Onto Your Loneliness’ must be one of the first New Zealand music videos shot in 360. What was behind the decision to use that technology to make this clip?

My friend, writer, actor and director Ian Hughes had been looking into the technology, and he was very excited about having a go at it. As the song is about suddenly noticing the world, we thought it'd be a great opportunity to be adventurous with the form.

Initially when watching the video we see you performing, but as we explores the angles it becomes apparent a whole story is unfolding around you simultaneous. What were some of the unique challenges that came with shooting in 360?

You have to throw out any normal notions about shooting a clip. Everything's shot in long segments without close ups or alternative angles. It's all about setting up the shot, shouting "action" and then making sure all the performers are running around and doing stuff. Normally with film, you're dictating absolutely what people look at, but with this one, everyone can make their own "director's cut'.

‘Hold Onto Your Loneliness’ is from your latest album Lucky Stars. Can you tell us a little bit behind what sparked the penning of this tune in particular?

I was on the bus out West. We had to rent a van so that we could start a tour, and I'd drawn the short straw. It was one of those sparkling, cloudless days that Auckland occasionally throws at us now and then; I felt strangely at peace, and strangely alive, and I wanted to try to get that all into a song.

The end of the year is closing in fast!! What have you got up your sleeve for 2017??

Quite a lot. I'm off to Hobart to perform in the MONA FOMA festival there in January, then some more gigs in Tasmania and Adelaide, then back to NZ for more shows. I'm already working on new songs for my next album - hope to get that finished by the end of the year.