The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead

What this video is

Released in early 2008, 'Keep Your Eyes Ahead' arrived during a critical moment for Sub Pop Records and Pacific Northwest indie rock, as the label reasserted its cultural relevance following the early-2000s indie boom. The Helio Sequence — a Portland duo comprising Brandon Summers (guitar/vocals) and Benjamin Weikel (drums/keyboards) — had spent three years crafting this album after 2004's Love and Distance. The…

Why it matters

Represents the post-shoegaze, indie rock performance video tradition of the late 2000s, wherein Sub Pop artists favored stark, location-based visual statements over narrative or concept-driven production. McConnaughy's work here epitomizes the 'performance in hostile/unusual environment' subgenre…

The director

Rob 'Whitey' McConnaughy is a Cannes Lion-winning director whose career began with 16+ best-selling snowboard and skateboard films. He co-created the Jackass franchise (shooting the pilot and first two films), directed music videos for bands including…