The video for Joey Ramone’s “New York City,” from his critically lauded posthumous album “…ya know?” (BMG Rights Management) premiered exclusively across VEVO,the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform on September 25, 2012.
Award-winning filmmaker Greg Jardin directed the innovative, groundbreaking stop motion film, which includes over 1600 photographs taken throughout New York City, and boasts cameos by dozens of New Yorkers, including some of Joey Ramone’s closest friends and family.
Jardin enlisted over 100 participants to appear in the video, ranging from Tommy Ramone, celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain, acclaimed musicians and denizens of the punk scene (Andy Shernoff of the Dictators, Matt & Kim, Andrew WK, Reggie Watts, members of Les Savy Fav, The Drums, and the Flatbush Zombies; JP Patterson, Ricky Byrd, Tish & Snooky Bellomo, and legendary photographer Godlis), stars of television’s 30 Rock (Scott Adsit, John Lutz andKristen Schaal), Ramones’ producer Ed Stasium, and Joey Ramone’s brother, musician and author Mickey Leigh.
A few dozen everyday New Yorkers were recruited off the street to participate in the video as it was being filmed, lending the clip an added air of authenticity: this eclectic mix of people from all walks of life embodies the spirit of both the city Ramone loved, and the song it inspired.
Leigh, the executive producer of “…ya know?” observes “Never before has ‘stop motion’ photography seemed more like a contradiction of terms: fittingly, for a song about New York City, the motion is perpetual.” He continues, “Painstakingly built by video rocket scientist/film director Greg Jardin, the love and respect for Joey Ramone and his beloved city come blitzing off your screen in this film. Though so many great musicians, actors, and others graciously contributed their time, there are essentially only two stars in any video: the song and the director. They both shine brightly in ‘New York City.’”
Director Greg Jardin is an MVPA winner for Best Animated Video and Best In Camera Special Effects (2012 for Kina Grannis’ “In Your Arms”) and winner of Best Music Video at the SXSW Film Awards (2011 for Hollerado’s “Americanarama”).
BMG Rights Management will release a limited edition deluxe version of “…ya know?”on Friday, November 23, in honor of Black Friday.
In addition to the 15-song CD, the deluxe package will include the video for “New York City” as well as a brand new DVD featuring never-before-seen footage of Joey Ramone, and candid interviews with Elvis Costello, Kirk Hammett, Deborah Harry,Anthony Kiedis, Thurston Moore, Joe Strummer, Rock’n’Roll High School’s Allan Arkush and PJ Soles, members of Rancid, and others; and “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” on a playable 5” green vinyl holiday ornament.
