It all started about 5 months ago, with the video for The Morning, by the enigmatic R’n'B reformer The Weeknd. And when two big mysteries cross, the story always takes an interesting turn. High 5 Collective is a group of film makers and artists – who could be easily called subversive – based in LA, and since the day on which they loaded on the internet that video, they have thrown the world of music videos production, recently glossy and very stiff, in disarray. “We make art for artists that inspire us“, they say. Without any other limitation. Official or unofficial videos? Authorized or unauthorized ones? Hard to say, but ultimately who really cares!

The reality is they produce a video every two weeks, that is, to date, 13 videos. 13 interesting works, for the language and techniques. 13 works which are not trivial, not déjà-vu. Videos that look professional. Videos that may be professional. And maybe they are professional.
The list of the 13 artists chosen by High 5 Collective, then, is very diverse: from the already mentioned The Weeknd to Frank Ocean, from Sander Kleinenberg to Tyler, the Creator, from Does It Offend You? Yeah! to La Miaow, from Ty Segall to Mr. Little Jeans, going through Trash Talk, AKB and Kayne West & Jay Z. From hip-hop to rock and roll, hardcore and electronic music: every kind of music seems to fit like a glove for the (little) narrative and (huge) visual contruction of H5C videomaking.

The Weeknd – The Morning (music video) from High5Collective on Vimeo.

Drugs, alcohol, sex, vomiting, corruption, parties, violence: these are the leit-motif that occur frequently along the 13 videos, all linked to an anarchist and bubbly aesthetic – even though so damn west coast.
They’re so shameless, especially in their attempts to overcome the form of music video-clips and embark into the world of video-art. Their authenticity, someone doesn’t trust it, is their weakness. Their mix, their mingle and defile between musical genres and audiovisual languages, on the contrary, are their strength.

During such a short time, they were able to build a strong identity, a personal style that has quickly attracted international attention. So started the hype, but they still have a great desire to have fun. And we have it, too, with them, through their camera pointing straight to the California Youth (do remember Larry Clark?).
“Enjoy the art, bitches“, still our friends, boldly. And the appointment every two weeks is now cloaked in religious expectation. What’s next?

Sander Kleinenberg – Closer (music video) from High5Collective on Vimeo.

Ty Segall – Girlfriend (music video) from High5Collective on Vimeo.

And now, they’re also planning a full lenght film: BLOODY PEAKS!
Maybe it will be ready for the nex summer. Here is the trailer. But ok, are we entitled to think it’s just another joke of this group of funny guys? I hope not. I think they have what it takes to the filmmaking!
 

High 5 Collective on Tumblr