St. Albert's one-man techno band is back. That's right, Jason Medwid, creator of The Smile Syndicate has just released another YouTube video single, The Sun is a Jukebox.
St. Albert's one-man techno band is back. That's right, Jason Medwid, creator of The Smile Syndicate has just released another YouTube video single, The Sun is a Jukebox.
Unlike The Burgled, the first homemade video The Smile Syndicate released in Oct. 2013, The Sun is a Jukebox is easier on the eyes.
Guerilla Motion Pictures, an independent film and media company founded by two St. Albert co-creators Sam Reid and Justin Kueber, was contracted to produce the video.
“Burgled had too many jarring elements that were slapped side-by-side. This time around I let Sam and Justin have control, and their pace is more relaxed. This video has flow,” said Medwid.
While a small portion of the three-minute video was filmed at Ronald Harvey Elementary School playground, the bulk was shot at Hawrelak Park.
“We wanted to do something quick and easy and it was easier to shoot at a place where there weren't very many other people,” said Medwid referring to Hawrelak Park.
Using family and friends as actors, Medwid also arranged with choreographer Kelly Weatherbee to send an electronic copy of the dances to all participants prior to filming.
Once all the logistics were in place, the actual shoot took one day.
“Sam and Justin were really quick and they had some good ideas to add.”
Interestingly, when Medwid writes a song, he first comes up with a quirky title.
“I then see if I can create a phrase around it. The Sun is Jukebox just appeared in my head and I thought it sounded positive. I started with that initial idea and built the lyrics around it.”
He also re-introduced some of his favourite characters from the first video – Egg, Mustard and Hot Dog.
The Bon Accord raised musician is literally a one-man band composing, arranging, singing vocals and playing all the instrument tracks.
A dexterous musician he plays guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. However, it's the software and hardware synthesizers that control and direct the sound.
It is not unusual for an artist to play every instrument in his collection. What is unusual is that the song is marketed under a band name The Smile Syndicate.
In a gush of creativity, the 44-year-old artist used his vast imagination to manufacture an entire band website that dates back to 1978.
The band doesn't exist. And yes, the biography, discography and reviews are all fictitious. Only the upbeat music is real.
The Sun is a Jukebox is posted on YouTube, Reddit, Facebook and Twitter.
“We want to get traction and hopefully plan downloads for free.”
The next challenge is just around the corner.
“We've made a music video we are happy with. We want to create more videos and get the word out and have more people enjoy our music.”
