JUNO Award Nominees Blitz//Berlin Share New Video for ‘Mercy’

Blitz//Berlin is a group of experimental film composers based in Los Angeles. In the past two years, members Martin Macphail, Tristan Tarr, and Dean Rode have seen a meteoric rise in the world of international film and TV music, earning numerous accolades from around the globe, including a JUNO Award nomination for “Instrumental Album of the Year” in 2017.

The group recently released an album titled There Will Be No Miracles Here, leading with single “Mercy”. They’re following the album with a visual for the track. The lyric paints a picture of despair and a search for meaning and hope, while the video takes an unexpected spin on this theme.

You can watch now below and read our conversation with Blitz//Berlin below!

What makes the video for ‘Mercy’ different from your past work?

This video is our first collaboration with director Nick Pallone, and working with him was fantastic. I think Nick’s unique vision built upon the lyric themes in unexpected ways and created a story with genuine heart and humor to it. Also, dancing.

Can you describe the concept behind the making of the video?

I believe the elevator pitch was – a day in the life of a disgraced sports mascot, soon after being publicly fired. We wanted to explore the idea of ‘Mercy’ through a search for self forgiveness, but told with a surreal character who exists a little outside of reality.

How would you describe your artistic evolution throughout your career?

I think it’s hard to have much perspective on the evolution of your own work while you’re in it. It’s easy to look back at old albums and think “wow we clearly thought too much about ___” or “why would we ever think____ was a good idea?”, but in terms of where we’re at now it’s hard to say. We’re trying to stay curious and create new sounds and melodies and stories that feel fresh and interesting to us.

What’s been the biggest change in your life over the past year?

Easily the biggest change last year was moving across the continent from Toronto to Los Angeles. This was essentially a total upheaval of our personal lives, and a lot of the ups and downs of that journey went into the songs on our most recent album (There Will Be No Miracles Here).

What song by another artist do you wish you had written?

That’s a great question. There are so many every year. Limiting myself to very recent songs… Artistically, Smoke Signals by Phoebe Bridgers. Fiscally… Old Town Road?

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Tags: #LosAngeles, Experimental, film, insturmental