An alternative rock band from Nuneaton launched their first music video this week, and, to celebrate, held a launch party at King Edward VI College: where the band met and formed.
Speaking in Shadows consists of five former KEC’s students, and, for their first official music video, they decided to go back to their roots and enlist the help of the current students in making the short film. After auditioning for the two lead roles, Performing Arts students Jordan Mistry and Stephanie Hammersley landed the parts, with filming taking place throughout December and early January. They also had a helping-hand from budding photography student, Alex Law, who documented the entire process from planning to filming: “Everything about the project was exciting, and being there from the start was incredible! But seeing the completed video is something else – it really is worth watching”.
Their new video: “A Place to Hide Away” was launched this week, and was screened especially for the students at the college, where lead singer Adam Smith now teaches part-time. Singing alongside the Creative Writing tutor is friend and former student, Kayleigh Kendall, who also works at the college as an Art Technician, and sings with the band especially for this track. Lewis Sketchley, Ali Carvell, Sam Powell, and Grant Sketchley can also be seen in action in the video, rocking out this memorable ballad.
Jade Whale-Whitmore, a student who was at the video launch said ‘’they are amazing and the video is so professional. I really hope they make it big, they deserve it, good luck guys’’
Filmed professionally by local videographer Declan O’Mara of DeadSkull Films, the video is shot in and around the local area, with Stephanie and Jordan at the video’s emotional epicentre. The video tells the story of a broken-hearted couple, struggling to cope with their separation – and follows as their lives are thrown into further turmoil as they endeavour to reunite. Available online at YouTube, the video has received an overwhelming response already, with reviews such as: “Awesome video……I’m speechless… that was so sad!” and “Epic! Amazing work guys. Had tears in my eyes. Love it!”
The band, who were formed in 2010, performs regularly throughout the Midlands and has recently won The Battle of the Bands competition at The Blue Bear, where they are now the resident band. Late last year, they also held a charity album launch at The Chase Hotel for Sarcoma UK, releasing their self-produced debut album, titled: ‘Standing at the Edge’. More recently, they have begun to branch out, with gigs planned for all over the UK including Hereford, London, and maybe even Scotland!
After meeting at King Edward VI College, the five musicians continued on to pursue both their education and careers, but still dream of a full-time career in music, and hope this video will aid them in their endeavour. Adam commented on the completed project, “We hoped in keeping the whole video local that we’d not only gain the support and encouragement of the community, but give them something back too. KECs, I think, for all of us, was the place where we grew and found ourselves and our passions, and so we thought: ‘Where better to film and release our first single?’” With this song, and their entire album, now available to buy at numerous online stores, including iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify and Last FM, the future is looking bright for this local group.
For more information and to show your support, visit the band’s Youtube page, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@officialsis). DeadSkull Films is also on Facebook.