Fly Fishing With Active Child

By Nerida Little / January 24th, 2012 in Music / Los Angeles / 225 views

Active Child—aka Pat Grossi—makes music that is perfect for fishing to. Those who hate fishing will think that’s an insult, but it’s not; this song is a gentle, solemn, philosophical ode. Directors T.S. Pfeffer & Robert McHugh from Pier Pictures knew exactly what they were doing with the clip for Hanging On.

In a nice change from some of their other work with electronica acts (their homepage features a warning by the Epilepsy Action group), Pfeffer & McHugh take the intricate and subtle art of fly fishing to new levels of musical beauty. Active Child’s shoegazing is perfectly suited to the visuals; his choir boy voice is as clear and sweet as the river water, and the harp trickles through like the changing tide.

The visuals consist mainly of tight closes up, whether they are of the river, fish scales, leaves blowing in the wind, the gas stove or the fisherman’s rough beard. These contrast with long shots of the cold light-filled landscape which create the perfect balance between detail and the overall setting. The texture is so potent in this clip you will need a jumper; the pull of the water and the muscle of the swimming fishes are palpable.

Active Child is playing as part of the Laneway Festivals in Australia in the coming weeks, and is also touring throughout Europe in February and March. Check the dates here.