Anthonie Tonnon Unveils ‘Executive Assistant’ + Cinematic Music Video
Taite Music Prize-winning songwriter Anthonie Tonnon today returns with Executive Assistant, his first new music in three years, released alongside an ambitious official music video that introduces the striking visual world of his forthcoming project, Cinematographer.
Created with longtime collaborator and producer Jonathan Pearce (The Beths), Executive Assistant blends chopped live-band recordings with acid basslines and four-on-the-floor rhythms inspired by late-90’s and early-2000’s DJ-driven pop music. Mixed by Bevan Smith (Introverted Dancefloor, Glass Vaults, The Beths), the track marks the beginning of a bold new sonic direction for Tonnon.
Released with support from NZ On Air, the accompanying music video is directed by Kristy Pearson, with visual mixing by Erica Sklenars, cinematography by Theo Taylor, styling by Karlya Smith and design by Daniel Alexander. Available as both a standalone music video and an extended seven-minute visualiser, it offers audiences their first immersive glimpse into the world of Cinematographer.
“Executive Assistant was a breakthrough for Jon and I because it gave us the sound that everything else grew from,” says Tonnon. “As an experiment, I started cutting up recordings we’d made with the band and putting them back together in new ways. The result reminded me of the sample-heavy dance-pop I loved in the 2000’s. Jon suggested a squelchy acid bassline, and from there a whole new journey began.”
The release marks the first chapter of Cinematographer, Tonnon’s ambitious new audio-visual project, three years in the making. Combining live electronic music, cinematic storytelling and visual design, the work will premiere as an immersive live performance this October.
“Cinematographer is part film, part francophile performance lecture, part disco club set,” says Tonnon. “It’s a world that we’ve built for this new music, exploring some newfound passions – the French avant-garde, cinema, urban politics of the 1960’s, turn-of-the-millennium dance culture and documentary films, and the glorious, mystifying city of Whanganui.”
Following today’s release, Tonnon will take Cinematographer on tour across New Zealand before performing in Melbourne and London, ahead of joining The Veils for an 18-date European and UK tour later this year.
ANTHONIE TONNON – CINEMATOGRAPHER TOUR
Friday 9 October @ Hollywood Avondale, Auckland
Friday 23 October @ Royal Opera House, Whanganui (Festival of Design Aotearoa)
Friday 30 October @ Papa Hou, Christchurch
Saturday 31 October @ Hannah Playhouse, Wellington
Wednesday 4 November @ Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Saturday 7 November @ Theatreship, London
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10:00am, Friday 24 July via anthonietonnon.com
Photo Credit: Abby Stewart
Single Cover Art Credit: Theo Taylor and Daniel Alexander
