Behind the Scenes on Sedona’s New Music Video “Hollywood”

Words: Tanya Fevzi | Photos: Samantha King

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Los Angeles singer-songwriter Sedona describes her music - which blends Americana, pop, and rock in a fusion of mystery and nostalgia - as ‘pageant rock.’ Her latest foray into the genre is a music video for her new track “Hollywood.” 

There’s no one better suited to sing about Hollywood than Sedona: “I grew up with Hollywood. She's always been a bit of a tease, a real drag at times,” she reflects. “She's been my on again off again girl for years now. At this point, I'll admit I've come to really love her. But there's still times where I hate her.” 

Her relationship with the iconic district translates seamlessly in the song’s accompanying music video. Directed by London-based Sammy King, who Sedona notes is a “longtime collaborator,” the video depicts the glamour of showbiz - as well as its grimier underbelly. 

Hollywood, she says, is “home for true love, rock and roll, and avid tobacco users.” This is not to say that the video lacks glitz: Sedona takes the stage of a dimly lit bar, her hair and makeup reminiscent of a Vegas lounge singer, her dress a dark green velvet with frills. Her presence is bewitching to both the audience and those of us viewing through the screen. 

For Sedona, the experience of shooting the video felt like “a Lynchian dream” - and the resulting visual certainly evokes the director’s signature disturbing allure. Here, we go behind the scenes of the “Hollywood” video, to see how the sparkles-and-seediness effect was achieved.

You can watch the video for “Hollywood” here.