Tag: Flow on Show

Baitercell & Schumacher feat. Flow On Show and Niki Ahu “Gimme”

2005-baitercell-and-schumacher-gimmeWhile previous Baitercell & Schumacher songs have used guest vocals, the videos never seem to feature the singers, instead relying on sci-fi worlds created by computer graphics. Things are very different in the “Gimme” video.

The video is set in reality and stars guest vocalists Niki Ahu and Flow on Show. And who needs a grainy CGI landscape when you have the old abandoned, graffiti-covered stands of Carlaw Park?

The performers are joined by two groups of dudes – one in white, the other in black. Things seem tense, but before it erupts into a Stanley Street version of West Side Story, everyone comes together to unite in dance. Wearing both black and white together (monochrome – so 2013) everyone enjoys some fresh B-boy moves.

The CGI worlds of Baitercell & Schumacher’s earlier videos are fine, but there’s just something that much more captivating about real people, singing and dancing in a music video. Let that be a cautionary tale for any bands thinking of making an animated video.

Best bit: the concrete block that seems to have magical powers.

Other thing: the lyrics name-check Kanye West’s debut single, “Through the Wire”, only a couple of years old.

Director: Sophie Findlay
Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

Next… an educational film.

Flow on Show “Move to the Flow”

2004-flow-on-show-move-to-the-flowTauranga hip hop group Flow on Show released “Move to the Flow” as a double A-side along with a track called “Ease Your Mind”. While “Move to the Flow” is the group’s self-described B-boy anthem, “Ease Your Mind” is an ode to hanging out at the beach at Mount Maunganui.

In the world of “Move to the Flow”, everything is cool. It’s set in an old warehouse, helped out by a generous cast of extras. There’s an attempt at some “Beat It” style dancing between rival groups, but both groups seem aware of their lack of dance menace. Slightly more successful is some formation dancing, with the less skilled dancers hidden down the back and sympathetic camera angles not revealing too much.

I have long wanted some good, show-stopping dancing in a New Zealand music video, so I have no complaints when a group actually puts effort into bringing dance to their video. There’s also some highly skilled breakdancing that steals the show.

But then I keep thinking back to the “Ease Your Mind” video. As cool and urban as Flow on Show try to be in the “Move to the Flow” video, the truth is out there – they are actually dudes who really like hanging out at Mount Maunganui on a hot summer’s day and give a shout out to the suburban streets of their neighbourhood. And that all seems a lot more fun than the self-conscious world of the “Move to the Flow” warehouse.

Best bit: the breakdancer’s headspin – always good.

Note: This video was on Facebook, but is now unavailable.

Next… showdown at high noon.