Semisonic - Closing Time

What this video is

Released in March 1998 during the peak of alternative rock's mainstream commercial penetration, 'Closing Time' arrived at a transitional moment in MTV culture — between the raw grunge era and the emerging nu-metal and pop-punk dominance of the late 1990s. The video's split-screen technique elegantly visualized the song's dual lyrical meaning (bar closing time / birth metaphor) and resonated with audiences…

Why it matters

A landmark artifact of 1990s power-pop and alternative rock crossover, 'Closing Time' represents the commercial apex of the Minneapolis indie rock scene and the MTV Breakthrough video format. Its split-screen visual language influenced music video production vocabulary and was significant enough…

The director

Born 1970, Los Angeles, CA. Studied film at Hampshire College, Amherst, MA. Began directing indie rock videos while in college; first video released 1992 for Material Issue. Became the youngest director signed to Satellite Films (a division of Propaganda)…