TELL ME WHAT IT'S WORTH

The new music video for "Tell Me What It's Worth" is a perfect fit for Lightspeed Champion's melancholy but sweetly melodic pop gem. We tried to talk to director Saam Farahmand, but he's busy in New York shooting a video for his hero Janet Jackson. We did manage to get hold of Lightspeed Champion (aka Dev Hynes) and Akiko from Comanechi, who makes a cameo appearance...

VICE: You must've had to get up at an ungodly hour to film the video in one long shot in Piccadilly Circus with no one around. Are you grumpy in the mornings?
Dev: Yeah, it was like 4AM, but I'm OK in the mornings. I can't sleep anyways. My friends didn't turn up, but my fans did. I know who really matters now. I got ill though and had to go to the hospital in the evening! Ha!
Akiko: I didn't get to sleep the night before the shoot, so I didn't have to get up. I thought I would be grumpy but I wasn't. It was too cold to feel any emotion.

What character do you play?
D: I play me walking down the street.
A: I play the main prostitute jumping on Dev's back. Before the shoot I told Saam that I couldn't help Dev because I was recording with my band all weekend. But then he rang me up and said that he'd already done the storyboard and that he really wanted me to do it. So I agreed because Dev is a good friend and I love Saam's work. I've actually been in two of Saam's videos now - I was also kissing girls in the Simian Mobile Disco video for "Hustler."

The video sees you acting all forlorn despite being surrounded by a bunch of rent boys and prostitutes. Ever feel alone in a crowd?
D: Every fucking day! Well, I've been touring on my own a lot. I'm in Tokyo alone right now!! No tour manager, no nothing. It's strange.

What do you do to chase the blues away?
A: I shout, scream and hit drums as hard as I can.

What was your favourite video of the year?
D: Hmmm... "Me and You" by Fall Out Boy... that shit makes me cry!!!!
A: Dan Deacon's video for "Crystal Cat" is like being on an acid trip. I don't think there was much budget but it's got this low-fi beauty and attitude which I really love.

OK. Thanks!

DOM TUNON

Comments

[Pdawg]

another great video! Saam is the Daddy right now.

[That Dude, That Got What You Need...]

The mashup of this video and the Boost mobile add is ghey in a prison whey.