05/21/2021
There isn’t anything more I can add to this post, so all I ask is that you take the time and read this, and share it. Hearing that someone else is going through a similar circumstance can mean the world to a person that has been affected by any form of abuse.
“(TW/CW: abuse) Please Read, if you have the space.
Today my music video for The Blame comes out, and exposes my past. There were days when I didn’t think I’d make it this far, and although they’re in the rear view mirror now, those scars never really heal. Making this art is opening up an old wound, and cleaning it out; reliving that pain so that it can heal, for good.
The amount of people that have already reached out with their own stories of sexual abuse is staggering. It’s baffling, and horrific and I’m blown away that I know so many people who have suffered from this. To the survivors who have been so brave in sharing their stories with me: Thank you for participating in the conversation and normalizing it. Thank you for releasing what you’ve been through so that you can start to heal too. You’re amazingly brave, and what you’re d**g, ripple by ripple, will change the future for others like us, for the better.
If you've watched the music video during the premier yesterday, thank you so much for your continued support ✨ If you haven’t seen it yet and you have space for this today, please do watch. Ian Macmillan Cinematographer (Video Director/DOP) Marc Koecher (Audio Producer) and I brought this to life. This project was my concept, set design, and art direction, and with this outstanding team we created something so beautiful and raw; I couldn’t be more proud of it.
Now comes the hard part: I didn’t make this for the band, or because it felt like the right time to ‘come out’ with this story. I made this because it has to be talked about more, so that those holding their stories - carrying all that weight all by themselves - have an army of people behind them letting them know they’re not alone. An army of people supporting them, and being present for their pain, so that they don’t feel alone. So that they don’t have to feel shame. So that this Doesn’t. Continue. To Happen.
So please, I *urge* you to share, either my story, or this art, or your own, or even your thoughts on the topic, so that we can all step into the light and not have to live in fear of the shadows any longer. Thank you so much for taking the time, if you made it this far, it makes a world of difference to people like me to be heard.
My story started when I was 11 years old, but today I'm leaving it behind.
***
To everyone who made this possible: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You’ve made such a difference in my life and story, and I can only hope what we made will go on to help others as well.
Aboyning Photography Aesthetic Magazine CCS Rights Management High Tide Artists Strut Entertainment Rudy Blair Desert Tiger Entertainment Indie88Toronto X92.9 Calgary's Alternative Joao Carvalho Mastering The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR) Mad Ruk Entertainment2D House Kids Help Phone
Produced by: Featurette
Director: Ian Angus & Lexie Jay
DP: Ian Macmillan
1st AC: Godfred Adjei
Gaffer: Dale Sood
Key Grip: Artur Vetstein
Swing: Nicole De Khors, Ali Hamidia
Art Department: Nicole Simmons
BTS/Photography: Connor Watt
Colour: Zach Cox
Editor: Naseem Loloie
Art Direction: Lexie Jay
Production Design: Lexie Jay
Costume: Barbara Rowe, Lexie Jay
A Madruk Production
Most of all, to my rock, Jon, there is no world in which I could have done this without you. Your support is all that’s held this project, and me, together. Love you forever.”
The Blame (Exposed Version) is a reimagining of a deeply personal track from Toronto synth pop duo FEATURETTE's sophomore record, ‘Dream Riot’.Listen/save no...
