Four

Dig

BY Four, December 5, 2011

From highly choreographed to random moves, we peak into three (not, four!) music videos where dogs do more than dance.

OK Go – White knuckles
Yes, these are the Los Angeles guys synching on treadmills for their video ‘Here it goes again’. Yes, the same who created a fantastic Rube Goldberg machine for ‘This too shall pass’ (reaching 30 million views on YouTube, and counting). Third one lucky brings us another amazing video where 12 dogs (which made everything look effortless) and the four band members (all trying very hard not to screw things up for the rest!) perform stylised tricks for the camera. Under the supervision of Roland Sonnenburg, from Talented Animals, and with choreography by Trish Sie, it took 124 takes over three days of filming to achieve the successful continuous one. ‘One of the toughest parts was choreographing what didn’t appear on camera – making sure that the 12 dog trainers and two furniture movers working behind the scenes could complete their work without crossing in front of the three cameras filming the action’ Sonnenburg told L.A. Unleashed. And for the cynic in all of us, the band is supporting animal rescue and donating a part of their download proceeds to the ASPCA. Chick here for more information and here to check great behind the scenes takes.

The Dandy Warhols – Smoke it
The first single released from the Dandies’ fifth album Odditorium or Warlords of Mars, the video includes a party of dogs running around the stage of said Odditorium (their studio, really) decked out in little outfits. Yet no dog could ever out-stage Courtney Taylor-Taylor’s seedy flamboyance, self-indulgent attitude and the decadent sound of the band. We wonder what Anton would say.

Swedish House Mafia – Save the world
Once more, man’s best friend fights against crime in the finest ‘dog to the rescue’ tradition. Directed by Jon Watts, who has previously worked with Sleigh Bells, TV on the Radio, The Rapture, Death Cab for Cutie, and has also made a neat career for himself with commercials and film and TV, this video has dark overtones. Although it seemed a rather odd fit for a house ‘one-love-hands-in-the-air’ anthem song, the slo-mo, the melting eyes of the dogs, the winks and the disco lights finally gave it away. Regardless of personal musical taste, we really appreciate the great photography and the stunning colour palette.

Bonus
Connan & the Mockasins with Sneaky Sneaky Dogfriend
There are no words.

Tags Choreography, Connan & The Mockasins, Jon Watts, Music, OK Go, Swedish House Mafia, Talented Animals, The Dandy Warhols, Video