Hothouse Flowers - This Is It

What this video is

Released November 1993 as a single from the album 'Songs From The Rain' on London Records, 'This Is It (Your Soul)' represents Hothouse Flowers at the intersection of Irish soul-gospel tradition and early-1990s UK alternative rock. The band — anchored by the raw vocal power of Liam Ó Maonlaí and guitar work of Fiachna Ó Braonáin — had built their reputation busking on Grafton Street, Dublin, before signing to…

Why it matters

Represents the Irish Celtic-soul-rock idiom at its early-90s commercial peak. Hothouse Flowers' gospel and traditional Irish music influences distinguished them from contemporaneous Britpop acts. The Gondry-directed video exemplifies an early instance of an internationally acclaimed art-video…

The director

French filmmaker born 1963 in Versailles. Began directing music videos for French band Oui Oui, in which he played drums. Björk's invitation to direct 'Human Behaviour' (1993) launched his international career. Represented by Partizan. Known for inventive…