This is Video of the Week from Wales Arts Review. We’ll be showcasing some of the best art in Wales with a new video shared every week. From music to drama and everything in between, videos will not be limited by medium. This week we’re shining a spotlight on ‘Borderlines’, the new music video from Cara Hammond.
We’re continuing with the mellow, reflective tone this July as we take a dive into this week’s Video of the Week and enjoy the new video from Wrexham-born singer, Cara Hammond.
It’s been a busy time for Hammond who appeared at SXSW last year and has recently set herself up as an independent recording artist, after parting company with her record label and management team. The video for ‘Borderlines’ features Hammond’s wistful tone and is the first release from Hammond in almost three years. In the video, Hammond is shown making plans with string on a corkboard, trying to map out and pin down her abundant interests, getting herself tangled in knots in the process.
The video was produced by Graham Michael Thomas and adopts an introspective feel, with Hammond eventually breaking free of the strings which have entangled her during the video.
Hammond explains the logic behind the video as a “classic detective scene”, adding that “As we move into verse 2, the character’s mental state begins to decline, as we start to see the red string criss-cross from wall to wall. This is intercut with still shots of me in an armchair surrounded with string, singing of ‘never seeing myself in full.’ Moving into the second chorus, the character begins dancing within these lines of string, made dramatic from the use of contrasting lightning and smoke. As the song builds to a crescendo in the bridge, the character becomes entwined with the string as they try to struggle their way free. This cuts to a scene of frenzy, where I charge the room, ripping down the maps, notes and plans. The final scene sees me pulling the string free as I sing of ‘passing my borderlines.”
‘Boderlines’ is available online now from all the usual streaming services.