South Sydney’s Driftwood. is a multidisciplinary artist on the rise. His latest video for 20 Blocks paints an evocative picture of the streets he knows best.
The video for the latest track from Driftwood. was painstakingly crafted. 20 Blocks had to be re-edited eight times — such is the care that the vocalist, producer, and filmmaker puts into his craft.
“Good, bad, or ugly, my respect and love for the community and area are strong,” says Driftwood. And 20 Blocks is the ultimate tribute to South Sydney, reflecting the grit and beauty of this unique neighbourhood.
The video is a nocturnal affair, with lights glinting in the rain, reflecting the streets: it’s an intoxicating image. “Tying this song together with the bigger script that connects to my earlier works was tough,” says the mastermind. Yet, on a conceptual level, his cinematic videos (which continue to rack up thousands of plays) seem to effortlessly form a continuum that leads to 20 Blocks: a thread of dark urban tales that are dripping with atmosphere.
The moody visuals go hand-in-hand with the production aesthetic of Driftwood. His flow hits you in undulating waves, his tone is soulful, and it’s all grounded by suspenseful, slow-moving basslines and the heaviest kick you would have heard in a very long time.
Even Souths legend John Sutton can be spotted in this video. And as the Rabbitohs line up for this weekend’s NRL grand final, South Sydney has got a new anthem.
Check out the video for 20 Blocks by Driftwood. below:
