A lot of albums are termed cult classics, but the latest from Jon Bryant is the genuine article. The upcoming third (and first for Nettwerk) LP from the Halifax-born/Vancouver-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is called Cult Classic, and it is just that—though not for the reasons you might think. You see, three years ago, having relocated from Seattle to Vancouver, Bryant, through the urging of a close friend, joined a cult. At first Bryant liked feeling connected to new people, but after learning about some of the shadiness the group was involved in, he left and turned his newfound fascination with cults into a concept for his next album.
Cult Classic kicks off with “Paradise,” a soft-rock gem you’d swear came out of Southern California in the mid-’70s. For the album opener’s video, Bryant teamed up with Kasey Lum (a director he shares studio space with), who came up with the concept for the clip.
“I’ve always loved his visual style and approach to the projects he works on,” says Bryant of Lum. “He really understood the vision I had for the song and what it means to me. For me, paradise is experienced when I’m out of my head. When I’m seeing the best in the people around me. When I’m seeing people for who they are and not who I judge them as. When I’m making the most of every moment with the people I love. Getting out of our heads let’s us do that. I think the video really reflects how important it is to know when we are becoming too self involved/obsessed.”
We’re proud to premiere the video for “Paradise” today on magnetmagazine.com. Watch it now.
