Kiwi DJ Montell2099 has just shared a new surreal short film, 'Live From Lake Alta' that has him dropping an unreal mix in one of the most scenic locations NZ has to offer - the Remarkables.
As if wasn't already picturesque enough up there, some of the best lighting and stage designers in the business worked with Montell to curate a light show that turns the DJ's set into a breathtaking visual display.
"The visual element of my music is super important," says Montell. "And in a live setting the visuals are almost as important as the musical delivery. With my DJ sets I spend an incredible amount of time curating the journey - every drop has a purpose, and every breakdown moment is there for a reason. I always want to tell a story and take the audience on a musical journey and adding the visual element to this makes it more effective and helps immerse the audience into the world that we've created for them."
Montell mixes from within a triangular lighting installation that was designed by world-renowned lighting and stage design wizards Human Person (they've collabed with Drake, Travis Scott, and Billie Eilish in the past). They previously worked on Montell2099's 'Live From Karekare' short film and live festival sets, alongside local Dunedin show designer Jade Fraser, Below Studios, Tom Tom Productions, and Higher Ground.
"One of the biggest takeaways from our first shoot in Karekare was how the intense environment really lent itself to Montell's music, so as his new music evolves into a heavier place, we wanted to find a location that was even more extreme, and a mountain in the middle winter felt like the perfect fit," says Ben Dalgleish from Human Person, the creative team behind the production design and lighting design of the shoot.
Alongside the film's release, a limited edition t-shirt will be for sale with all profits going towards Kea Conservation, a partner of The Remarkables and Ngai Tahu.
Continuing to take his music and live show to even grander heights, 'Live From Lake Alta' is another showcase of Montell2099's art transcending conventionality and pushing the limits of the traditional live show experience.
A nod to Montell's vision and creativity, the breathtaking video is being hosted on Trap Nation's Youtube channel, a global hub for the best in electronic music - sporting over 30 million subscribers and counting.
