Video Inspiration: Michael Francis + Marcus Castillo

One lovely day, I was working on my computer (as usual) and watching music videos (as usual) when this random video came on MTV2. The music immediately made me stop what I was doing and the visuals spellbound me too. All of it just came out of nowhere. His voice, the simplicity of the setting and storyline...

You know I was forced to write something right?!

I couldn't find much information on the video director, Marcus Castillo.
Michael Francis, however, is an independent singer from New Jersey. He's been slow releasing material for the past couple of years, even doing a remake of Ginuwine's "Pony". I especially love that he was interviewed by KARMALOOPTV back in January 2012. Peep a snippet of the interview...here.




Loyalty. That's the essence of family. What defines it. Michael and Francis, my brothers, and I had a loyal bond. It defined us. And we strengthened it every January by taking a hunting trip to Montana. We went out at sunrise with the goal of at least one score. Michael led the way. After an hour in the cold, stopping several times to rest, we had nothing to show for our effort and I was getting tired.
"Samuelson, go east. I think I see something over there." Michael said with his Marlin 336 poised and pointed north, his back to me. I turned my head but saw nothing. I wasn't about to go on an empty chase through the backwoods, on a hunch.
"I don't see nothing."
"It just moved again. I see it in the corner. Go check it out!"
"Just go Samuelson." Francis whispered. With my shoulders slumped and head bowed, I trudged through the hard, wet snow looking for a deer, a bear, anything to qualify as our first score. About 30 feet in, I felt it. I felt another presence and saw something run by. It was fast too. I lifted my Browning T-Bolt on my shoulder and bent down, casing all angles. I felt the rush, the thrill. It didn't take long for the shadow to come into focus. Bits of brown and black, white and gold. This wasn't animal. I hesitated to move from my position, half wanting to call out to Michael and Francis. But during this whole trip, they could tell I was distracted. I wasn't the same. Calling for them would only make me feel worse.

I followed the movement through the trees, through the snow, until it stopped and came into view. Then I saw her. My Nona. Standing right in front of me, 500 + miles away from our home, she was as clear as the wind. I could've been dreaming but I wasn't. Had I missed her so much that I was seeing things? I dropped my gun and followed, further away from my brothers. She had always led me away from them. From the moment we met, years ago, we formed a bond that even they couldn't break. But they tried. They told me she was breaking my loyalty. They told me I should leave her. And they gave me a choice.

I followed Nona, or her mirage through the trees, through the snow, until we reached a white house on the hill. Inside was a blur because all I saw was her. My love. I saw her face. I touched it. Her skin set me on fire. It felt so good. This couldn't be a dream. But somehow this was right. It didn't matter that I hadn't seen Nona since the day I chose to leave her, two years ago. She was here now. She was with me now. I closed my eyes and drank in her presence.

There was a tap on the window. Where was I? What just happened? I sat up and looked around, still not seeing all that was in front of me. I remembered being with her. But she was gone now. Outside, Michael and Francis waited for me. They had found my gun. Their stare communicated what I wouldnt acknowledge.. I was going off the deep end again. There was no Nona. There was no house. No creamy skin. Two years ago, I chose my brothers over her. Two years ago, they didn't think I would do it...and they chose to kill her. Verbally, I forgave them. How could I not? Family is loyalty. But mentally and emotionally, our bond was broken. I would forever be with Nona. If I saw her ghost every day of my life, it would be fine with me. This is what they made me into. Instead of allowing us to be happy, they now have to deal with my misery. And it's better this way.

Video Inspiration - Wale + Sarah McColgan

Wale released his super highly anticipated album, The Gifted, last week on June 25th. Today will reveal how well the album did for its first week. In my own little way, I'd like to help him celebrate with this video inspiration (and since Wale began his style with poetry, this is in the form of a poem)

The video for LoveHate Thing was directed by Sarah McColgan, released on June 23rd and features Sam Dew.

Sam - He's a RocNation artist and doesn't look anything like he sounds
Sarah - She's a photographer as well as director. She has directed Miguel's video for "Candles in the Sun" and also photographed one of my favorite artists...Kelis!






Love/Hate Thing


Black and White
Rich and Poor
Up and Down
Life is Love, is what They tell me
Or what She told me.
Hot air, dusty room
We Have Each Other, I Assume
Fans Blow
I Love Her Though

Conflicts and Questions
Reaching Goals
I ask her, She asks me
We Dig One Another’s Soul
Decisions about Love
Decisions about Life
I Hate the Battle and The Strife

Champagne and its Bubbles
Dusse and No Trouble
3 Piece Suits
Her Smile and Mine
Hard Work, Pray Hard
Our Favorite Line
I Love Her Though
I Hated the Battle
I guess it’s a Love/Hate Thing