pretty boy

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In her new music video for her song, “Pretty Boy,” Detroit neo-soul artist Sara Marie Barron recruits artists from her community to tell stories of love during lockdown. “I wanted to share the message that we can find magic in the mundane with love, especially while quarantined together during a pandemic,” Barron explains. “Love has been one of the only constants for me during this time and I wanted to convey that in a way that felt inclusive and real.”

Directed by Zach Hagy, The video shows different couples in their everyday lockdown environments. Whether it’s cleaning the house, hanging at the skatepark, or cooking breakfast together, it’s clear that the couples have cultivated their own little worlds, protecting them from the chaos that lies outside. The snapshots of the lovers are intertwined with Barron’s “fantasy” day with her own partner (Alex Burns of Detroit band Cousin Mouth), showing that the true fairytale is really just having someone to share moments of peace within the midst of chaos — no matter if it’s doing dishes together or sharing a champagne bubble-bath.

Barron explains that she wrote “PrettyBoy” about a time of complete infatuation in her life. That period where you don’t really know the person yet, so everything about them seems exciting and ethereal. “For the video, I wanted to convey that feeling, but also show the side of love that I think is even more special,” she explains, “getting past the smokescreen of infatuation and into a place of truly knowing and understanding your partner.”

“At first, I was going to hire an actor to play my counterpart,” explains Barron. “But it made more sense to have my ‘real life’ partner in the video, because all of the other couples were being so vulnerable.” As a part of the project, Barron asked all of the couples the same question: How has the lockdown impacted your life and/or relationship? The common thread between everyone was a new-found appreciation for their partner and gratitude for having someone to lean on during tough times.

That theme definitely resonated with Barron, who says that spending time with loved ones have been essential to surviving pandemic times. “Being able to see my partner, sister, and nephew on a daily basis has been my saving grace,” she says. “Whether it’s a romantic partnership or just a really close friendship, love can be truly healing. I’ve tried to lean into that as much as I can during this time.”

Barron’s sophomore recordExistential Glam came out on September 25, 2020 — stream anywhere and follow her on Instagram for updates.

Credits

Director: Zach Hagy

Cinematographer: Jesse Barron

Editor: Matthew Bouwense

Production Designer & MUA: Naomi Zeman

Stylist: @punkrock_hoodrat

PA: Trentin Piwinski

1st ac: Jack Anderson

Drone Operator: Jonathan Humphrey

Gaffer: Dave St. George

Grip: Trevor Stevens

Lighting: Advanced Multimedia

Cast

Supporting: @cousinmouth

@supercoolwicked @dariusbaberartist @curtistootrill @_kaleighchristine_ @kristynirenee @anasteezyologist @sydneyostrander @meetzmonsta