Stonehocker‘s latest single, “In Need,” explores the raw, emotional journey of realizing one’s need for a higher power. The song is an introspective reflection on the lows that come with struggling against the challenges of life and the self-awareness that emerges from surrender. A blend of motivational alternative rock with a light, meditative tone, “In Need” is a powerful reminder of the peace and hope that comes when we let go of the need for control.
The track is the third and final release before Stonehocker‘s highly anticipated upcoming album. It embodies the themes that run throughout the record: acknowledging one’s struggles, finding a greater purpose, and surrendering to the process. “In Need” builds on Stonehocker‘s deeply personal songwriting, drawing from his own battles and ultimate surrender to a higher power.
Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?
“In Need” is a song about recognizing the need for a change in your life. I was just recovering from the lowest point I’d ever hit, so I was still being quite hard on myself. That’s why the verses are all very self degrading. I’d been attending self-help or recovery groups but they hadn’t provided the help I’d needed. I hit a point where I was done with myself and ready to say “whatever you say I’ll do”. I’d been reading the bible daily for a little while when I wrote this song, long enough to see it was helping me. The song “In Need” is capturing that moment of clarity, the moment of conviction.
When I was choosing the singles I specifically wanted to use some of the songs with a more positive message in them. The album talks about my extreme lows, so some of the songs don’t offer any positivity or solutions. I didn’t want a really negative theme as I promoted the new album. “In Need” and “Take Everything” are both songs with a good message. The plan was always to have a video for each single and I actually find it fun trying to visualize them
What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
The story in the video is fictional, about a musician and his small team doing a road trip to a show. I say fictional because the actor playing the manager is actually the drummer on the album; they’re both friends helping out with my crazy production ideas. Either way, the point of the video is that despite those people trying to help the artist they eventually let him down as a result of their own personal issues. The sly, little hidden easter egg is the photo inside the van, attached to the wall behind the assistant. It’s a photo of Jesus, suggesting Jesus is all the artist can rely on.
I call it an easter egg because it’s the same photo (albeit a little larger) that I’m holding in my previous video for “I Am Divided”. In that video I sing about how “I’m looking for someone” while holding this picture of Jesus, but I never actually focus any shots on the photo because the song doesn’t talk about finding that someone.
What was the process of making this video?
The whole process starts with me brainstorming and then creating a story board. I always like to give Greg Miller the credit for any good-looking shots because he has a great eye for a great shot; which is precisely why I get him to be the cameraman! Greg Miller is not only the cameraman, but also the owner of the classic Ford van we used; so a big thank you to him! Greg and I actually did the first day of filming with just the two of us driving around town. We used his drone for some shots while I drove. All the other shots (in all my videos) are filmed on my Samsung phone using a DJI gimbal, then I edit them all using a program called VideoPad by NCH software.
The second day of shooting was the hard one to coordinate because it involved more people. I was trying to decide whether to shoot the video with the van actually driving or try to setup in a garage and fake it (driving would require another person too). Alas, the van developed a coolant leak so we were forced to shoot the interior shots inside the garage. Greg had one foot on the wall while holding the camera so he could shake the van and make it look like we’re driving! For the final shots where it was just me playing guitar you may have noticed the lighting constantly changing, this is Jeff swinging our lighting around behind Greg while he films! The story board helps everyone see the final vision, although it is hard being the director while also acting in it.
The videos all come together thanks to people helping me out. I keep learning new little tricks and gaining more experience with each video I make, much like how I’ve learned about writing music. I’m glad people are enjoying them!
Modern Mystery 