Sachasom in the spotlight
Launched in March 2022 as a collaborative initiative to support the creation of independent music videos, the Music Video Fund of AM, Pyst and Lŵp (S4C) creates vibrant opportunities for emerging Welsh artists and film directors — and the first to benefit is experimental beatmaker, Izak Zjalic — aka Sachasom.
Born in recognition of the importance of facilitating creative opportunities for artists who are embarking on their artistic journeys, the Music Video Fund is eager to support talent from all across Wales as it looks to assist 10 new productions over the course of the year. No doubt a significant advancement of the Welsh music scene, the project is a springboard for artists to project their vision through film. First onboard is the lo-fi beatmaker from Machynlleth — Sachasom, as he today shares ‘Agor’ from his forthcoming debut LP ‘Yr Offerynnols Uffernoliadaus!'.
Directed by Sam Stevens and Sion Teifi Rees of Cardiff-based multidisciplinary production company Pypi Slysh, ‘Agor’ captures the internal struggles of being authentic to yourself. Reflecting on the process, Izak shared: “Creating the video with Sam and Sion was a unique process — shot in a fairly impromptu style and inspired by the film Climax by Gaspar Noé. Although ‘Agor’ is quite abstract, through the different images and symbols, there is a narrative that follows my experiences in the creative process of making music — moving from the purity of creation for enjoyment, to aspects I inherited through reading about ‘hauntology’ philosophy and the worries of growing up”.
Filmed across two locations, an abandoned house and BEWT Studios, Sam of Pypi Slysh explains: “Izak and myself are both into the same sorts of cinematography and both of us had plenty to say in the way of influence. We (Pypi Slysh) love to make DIY, spontaneous videos — where nothing really is off limits — and given such a structurally interesting song, it really opened the doors to creating a video that honestly makes no sense.” Drawing on Lewys Meredydd and Joe Woodward to assist with filming and lighting arrangements, Sachasom explains that the funding enabled them to embody what they ultimately set out to portray — to convey one’s “existential crisis during the creative process”.
Though booking venues, hiring equipment and covering travel costs aren’t the most glamorous side to an artists’ creation, they are indeed the costly ingredients which are needed to actualize a visual representation of a narrative. Emphasizing his appreciation to the Music Video Fund, Izak adds “‘Agor’s music video wouldn’t have been possible without the support of AM, Pyst and Lŵp”. In an exclusive for Klust, Sachasom also reveals that a limited-edition zine will be published alongside his album — documenting the creation of ‘Yr Offerynnols Uffernoliadaus!' (released via Recordiau Afanc Records on 22 July).
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