Be Kind, Rewind — Italogaze Outfit Kodaclips Unveil Their Ode to Physical Media Stores with the Video for “Gone is the Day”

Am I falling down?

Heavy but temporary

In the memories

You belong to me

In an era dominated by digital streaming, the quaint charm of video stores evokes a powerful nostalgia for a time when these establishments were cultural epicenters for movie enthusiasts. Far more than mere rental spaces, video stores were treasure troves of discovery and wonder, boasting shelves lined with VHS tapes, DVDs, and the once-revolutionary laser discs. Each visit promised the thrill of uncovering hidden gems, from foreign imports to rare cinematic masterpieces that were otherwise inaccessible. The tactile joy of flipping through physical media, coupled with the excitement of finding a sought-after rarity, made these stores a beloved communal space. Patrons could engage in lively discussions, share recommendations, and immerse themselves in the diverse world of cinema that extended far beyond mainstream releases.

Kodaclips’ video for their latest single, “Gone is the Day,” beautifully captures this sense of longing for the bygone era of video stores. Filmed at the time-worn Hangar store in Cesena, which was a bustling hub in the ’90s, the video serves as a poignant homage to these erstwhile cultural landmarks. The store, once filled with an eclectic mix of cinema relics, from mainstream hits to obscure imports, provides the perfect backdrop to the song’s themes of nostalgia and the fleeting nature of cherished memories. Directed by Alessandro Mazzoni, the video intertwines the band’s childhood reminiscences of afternoons spent browsing through aisles of movies with a reflective look at the impermanence of places that once held significant personal value.

In “Gone is the Day,” Kodaclips encapsulates a tempest of emotion through a soundscape that marries the hazy, immersive sonics of Ride’s “Nowhere” with the intense, atmospheric layers characteristic of Slowdive and A Place to Bury Strangers. The song is a deluge of nostalgic yearning, each guitar chord and vocal line weaving through the rain of memories and the quest for understanding and connection that the lyrics so poignantly express.

The opening lines, “Am I falling down? Heavy but temporary, In the memories, You belong to me,” immediately envelop the listener in a gauzy cocoon of sound, reminiscent of the ethereal textures in Slowdive’s first album Just For A Day. This cocoon, however, is pierced by the more urgent, driving forces akin to A Place to Bury Strangers, reflecting the song’s exploration of deeper, more turbulent emotional waters. The lyrics’ introspective journey, questioning familial bonds and the nature of love as a ‘disease, the sickness we grasp on to,’ finds its sonic counterpart in the swirling, dreamlike guitar work and the haunting, reverberated vocals.

As the chorus unfolds, “Close to me and gone, For the way you want me to be but never will,” the song’s structure mirrors the ebb and flow of the emotional storm it depicts. The longing for acceptance and the pain of disconnection are underscored by the layered, echoing soundscapes that draw inspiration from the immersive, shoegaze-inflected noise rock that both Ride and A Place to Bury Strangers are known for. The bridge, with its vivid imagery of a ‘nameless prison’ and a ‘tear drops without its horizon,’ further amplifies this emotional resonance, the music crafting an expansive backdrop against which these deeply personal and universal themes are explored.

Through “Gone is the Day,” Kodaclips ventures into the heart of the human experience, their music a conduit for the exploration of memory, identity, and the complex web of human emotions. The song stands as a testament to the band’s ability to fuse their influences into a unique sound that is both evocative and profoundly resonant, offering listeners a shelter within the storm—a place to reflect, to feel, and ultimately, to find a sense of solace amidst the tumult of life.

Watch the video for “Gone is the Day” below:

Emerging from the scenic landscapes of Cesena, near Italy’s north Adriatic Coast, Kodaclips was founded in the latter half of 2021 by four friends united by their diverse artistic backgrounds. The band’s unique sound is a confluence of influences, blending elements of psychedelia, stoner, and progressive rock with the unmistakable essence of ’90s vibes and a significant nod to the raw, emotive energy of post-punk. This eclectic mix is further enriched by a profound appreciation for the second wave of shoegaze, particularly the burgeoning italogaze scene, allowing Kodaclips to forge a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly innovative.

The name Kodaclips itself is evocative of the iconic Kodachrome film stock, known for its vibrant colors and enduring appeal, symbolizing the band’s connection to nostalgia, not just in the choice of their musical influences but also in the vivid, emotive landscapes they create with their sound. Much like Kodachrome, which preserves moments in rich, saturated hues, Kodaclips’ music captures the essence of emotional memories, rendering them in sonic form with a depth and warmth that resonate with listeners.

Since their stage debut in late 2021 and subsequent selection as the opening act for A Place to Bury Strangers on their Italian tour, Kodaclips has quickly carved out a space for themselves within the international shoegaze scene. Their debut album, “Glances,” released at the end of 2022 through Overdub Recordings, was a nod to one of their key influences, encapsulating lyrics from “Don, Aman,” a track off the seminal album “Spiderland” by Slint. This debut set the stage for their distinct sound, characterized by a blend of shoegaze, post-punk, and psychedelic vibes, marked by deep reverberations and hypnotic vocal spirals.

The release of their single “Not My Sound” in early 2023 further solidified their position, garnering attention with a premiere on Backseat Mafia and heavy rotation on platforms like DKFM and Eardrum Buzz. Building on this momentum, “Gone Is the Day,” the first single from their anticipated second album, was unveiled on February 23rd, 2024, setting the tone for the upcoming full-length release scheduled for September 6th on Sister 9 Records. This latest work is a deep dive into the psyche, exploring the nuances of dysfunctional family relationships through a dynamic interplay of light and shadow in sound, produced by the band with mixing and mastering by James Aparicio.

Kodaclips continues to experiment and evolve, their music a testament to the enduring power of nostalgia and the ability of sound to encapsulate and convey the deepest of human emotions, much like the cherished frames of Kodachrome film.

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