Connect with us

Alternative/Rock

Behind the Video: Letdown.’s Blake Coddington Explains His “Crying In The Shower” Music Video

Letdown. (aka singer-songwriter Blake Coddington) joins us for a Behind The Video interview discussing the “Crying In The Shower” (Big Loud Rock) music video, its origins, and more!

Published

on

Letdown., photo by Alex Zarek

While you may often think of a musician gaining popularity by going out, playing live, and making connections, it happened in a starkly different way for Letdown. Initially, this was just a pandemic project for singer-songwriter Blake Coddington, a creative outlet meant to pass the time, but it has grown in size and stature in the three years since. Through several single releases and then strutting his stuff as a live act, Coddington has cultivated a dedicated fanbase and defined himself as more than just an internet sensation. But that is how this all began, with Letdown. first getting noticed on YouTube via uploads that Coddington was posting. At first, these videos were getting a few hundred views. Now collectively, that number exceeds 25 million.

Crying In The Shower, Coddington’s debut EP, was released in February via Big Loud Rock. It very largely focuses on his internal struggles, searching for meaning and answers in a dark time full of uncertainty and doubt. Despite the seriousness of the songs, these are some stadium-sized singles that are sure to please your need for that massive sound you can’t find anywhere else. It’s been a strange transition for Coddington, from at-home musician to live sensation, but he has taken it all in stride and not taken one second of it for granted.

Joining us today for Behind The Video is Coddington to discuss the latest video for “Crying In The Shower,” its origins, and the world of music videos in general.

Who directed the video?

Blake Coddington:Max Moore (He is so good!).”

What’s the concept behind the video? Help us to understand the concept in more detail and how it ties into the lyrics.

“The music video is on point and plays out almost exactly what the lyrics depict. There are no metaphors going on, but a literal and visual presentation of the lyrics. She leaves him and he is broken by this. The visual storyline shows the couple, as they were happy, and him after she leaves, in his saddest moments. Even the ‘crying in the shower’ is a visual presentation.”

What was your favourite part behind the creation of the video?

“I got covered in paint. All the gear, the clothes, the mic, everything! This part was pretty cool. I felt like a little kid playing with fingerpaints and being able to do anything I want with it.”

What are some of your favourite music videos? What about when you were growing up?

“My favourite music videos are, and were, anything from My Chemical Romance. They are so theatrical. Love how they approach every video. Much like their songs, the theatrics are outstanding.”

What music video director would you say is your favourite?

“I don’t have one favourite, but I can tell you I do love Max Moore. Been a fan ever since I saw the video he produced for Spiritbox called ‘Rotoscope.’”

Which band or artist do you think had the greatest music videos?

“My Chemical Romance wins this prize!”

Letdown.‘ Crying In The Shower’ album artwork

Letdown.‘ Crying In The Shower’ album artwork

What makes a music video “bad” or “good?” What makes it “great?”

“I love theatrics and production in videos. That said, overproduction looks bad and underproduction looks bad. There is a sweet spot, and I LOVE to see that.”

Is there any part of the process you’d do differently now?

“No, not really. Making music videos is such a great part of the process. I have made music videos myself, and I have worked with great directors. I have loved the process at every level.”

What’s your favourite thing about music videos?

“Videos can interpret the lyrics of songs in different ways, sometimes a literal presentation, and sometimes it’s full of metaphors. I like to see how artists create the visual representation of their music. I love to watch great videos almost as much as I love hearing a great song.”

Letdown. “Crying in the Shower” behind the scenes photo Courtesy of Big Loud Rock

Did one of your favourite artists ever put out a music video you felt wasn’t as good as the music? Which one?

“I can’t say that I have ever felt a video doesn’t stand up to a song. This is a very subjective medium, and people will love it or hate it, and everyone is entitled to their opinions on it. I happen to appreciate the art of it regardless of how the artist interprets their song visually.”

Any mishaps that occurred on set?

“Jerry Tyler, the stylist, globbed me with paint for an hour. I’d say that’s an intentional mishap. It was a necessary one.”

Born in 2003, V13 was a socio-political website that, in 2005, morphed into PureGrainAudio and spent 15 years developing into one of Canada's (and the world’s) leading music sites. On the eve of the site’s 15th anniversary, a full re-launch and rebrand takes us back to our roots and opens the door to a full suite of Music, Film, TV, and Cultural content.

Trending