It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since Massive Attack released “Unfinished Sympathy,” considered by many critics to be one of the best songs of all time upon its release in February of 1991. Filmed in a single continuous shot using Steadicam, Director Baillie Walsh captures vocalist Shara Nelson walking down South New Hampshire Ave. to West Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles, California—and has since then created a genre of music video known as the urban walk.
In 5 minutes and 20 seconds, Walsh accomplishes a perfect snapshot of LA in the ’90s, a golden-lit urban sprawl that thrives with all manner of human life just getting from point A to B (to C and so on) by foot…or walker, or skateboard. Everything is somewhat unfinished. And that’s life.
Funny to think that Kiesza was merely two years old when the Massive Attack classic came out, and that 23 years later, her brother, Blayre Ellestad, would also film her in a single continuous shot. Obviously a more choreographed production, Kiesza somehow dances her way down the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with a broken rib that took her at least a month to recover from afterward.
In two starkly different styles, the audience experiences motion through distance, urban mood, and street culture—all things that tie back to the appeal of electronic music.
So what are your thoughts on the urban walk? Let @TheDeptofDance know your #MusicVideoMonday thoughts on Twitter—and Happy Monday!
Ash Cash Dillon is a legit word nerd with a killer bass face and a love of all that is stone cold groovy. You can find her writing all over the interwebs, business world, and take-out menus via sharpie vandalism.
