Stereophonics - Dakota

What this video is

Released on 28 February 2005 as the lead single from Stereophonics' fifth studio album, 'Dakota' became the band's first and only UK number one single, topping both the Singles and Download charts and remaining in the charts for 44 weeks. It also marked their first appearance on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number 34. The Welsh band became the first all-Welsh group to reach UK number one…

Why it matters

'Dakota' represents a pivotal genre moment in which a Welsh alternative rock act successfully fused anthemic arena-rock structures with synth-inflected production influenced by 1980s artists, achieving mainstream UK chart dominance and US alternative radio crossover simultaneously. The video's…

The director

Based in Paris but raised in Southern California, Charles Mehling is a director and photographer with deep roots in the music world. He played bass for The Brian Jonestown Massacre before transitioning to directing. His music video credits span artists…