Dynamic Sydney based four-piece Alternative Rock Quartet, The Monks Of Mellonwah, draw their musical influences from the soundscapes of Pink Floyd, virtuoso blues of Led Zeppelin and the blazing alternative rock of Muse, creating their own unique and masterful blend of new and old.
With a US tour pending, we asked Joe De La Hoyde, what five music videos he wished they had made and their favourite Monks of Mellonwah video.
Rio – Duran Duran
I am not totally sure why this video popped straight into my mind, but I think its something to do with how much I love the song and how much the video makes me want to take a holiday. Its awesome! It also kinda reminds me of James Bond, particularly Dr. No, and I am a massive Bond fan. The girls in Duran Duran videos are always so sexy, and in between this and Girls On Film, there is enough material to make a man out of anyone haha…
One More Time – Daft Punk
This was one of my favourites growing up, and I reckon its still way up near the top. The whole anime concept behind the album Discovery was insanely cool and I am hoping one day we will get the chance to do something similar.
Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz
Again, following that same kinda feel with the Daft Punk one, I love this video. The song is epic and inbetween the gritty bassline and the characters, there is that beautiful moment on the edge a floating island – something straight out of a Hayao Miyazaki animated film.
Thriller – Michael Jackson
A Michael Jackson video had to make this list and I have chosen thriller because it used to scare the shit out of me when I was a kid haha. He was one of a kind everything he did was genius, including this. I still can’t shake the reoccuring image of the door creaking open in the beginning of the video! Creepy stuff.
Undisclosed Desires – Muse
This video is another one I always come back to. Muse are another band that have so succesfully created an image for themselves, and I think the combination between the dancer and all the futuristic/robotic imagery works so well for the music and the branding of the album. When I think of the Monks in a couple of years time, I see this video.
Ghost Stories – Monks of Mellonwah
Even if it wasn’t my song I would put this video down, its just too cool! The video was so much fun to make and working with director Bruno Kataoka now for the third time, he has become so aligned with the creative goals of the band and shares his own unique vision for our music. This video really encapsulates the complexities of the song whilst remaining compelling and strangely simple. The simple effect of snow and leaves falling and rising is so metaphoric and visually stunning, and I really think Vik, our singer, both acts well and looks good on camera. Double points.
