Cantona

Sometimes the grey and dismal atmosphere of Seattle needs the spirited pop energy of a band like Cantona. Simply put, their songs are fun and catchy like much of Brit pop yet they have an emotional depth and tuneful sensibility similar to bands like Metric or The Pretenders. Their music makes you either want to get up and dance or just sit back and contemplate. What we are sure of is that Cantona is one of those acts that’ll stir up a crowd whether roaming the streets or in a club. Well, our intention was to be out in the elements amongst the people, making heads turn along our cement path, but we only made it to the lift.

When we arrived at the Belltown apartment, Leslie and Glenn were having tea. We had just stepped out of the rain happy to be in the warm, cozy residence. The first couple of songs we shot were right there in Leslie’s living area, tea cups and all, just getting warmed up for the cold outside. For this take of "Black Light Picture", we asked them to sit out on the balcony so we could at least get a bit of the Seattle skyline. I think we shot five songs and would have easily continued for hours as Les and Glenn were more than happy to be a part of this endeavor. This short but sweet performance was their first try at the song—completely spontaneous—an honest display of their chemistry as songwriters and the liveliness they exude.

Glenn had the idea of shooting in the elevator. He’d thought of a plan for us to shoot them from the outside while they were inside, having the doors open and close, ascend and descend, leave and return to the floor where the camera was placed. With a slight change of plans, we decided to pile in together and without delay they launched into "Dixie Days". Tenants entered with some hesitation yet left entertained. With this, I think we captured the true essence of spontaneity.

We exited the elevator and realized Cantona has the ability to amuse an audience without having to leave the building.