Playlist: Simon Cahn

What’s the best promo you’ve seen recently and why?

I really enjoyed The Lemon Twigs’ I Wanna Prove To You. I think it’s well crafted and great storytelling. It’s very simple and fun (not arrogant like a lot of videos now). And I think the goofy acting of the band members is perfect.

What’s the first promo you remember being impressed by?

Oulala, that’s a hard question, I’m impressed all the time with this medium. I think the French part of me would say IAM’s Je Danse le Mia back in secondary school. And when I saw Gavras' Bad Girls I thought: WOW. They went full throttle.

And what’s your all-time favourite music video?

Oulalalalala, even harder question. Well, I'm not going to be very original but Spike Jonze's [promo] for Fatboy Slim Praise You is a masterpiece. From a music video historic point of view, this video is the first time I saw someone change what promos were supposed to be. It's just a director having fun and filming himself. I think that's what Spike is all about. He's not thinking "I'm going to make the best video of the world", he's just thinking "I'm going to have fun with some friends." I see so many videos now trying to recreate the simplicity of this video, but I don't think it's about simplicity, it's just about having a laugh with your mates.

What other directors/artists do you look to for inspiration?

I've had an obsession with Matthew Barney for a long time now. His work is a big inspiration. Jim Goldberg's photography too. Each of his pictures could be a feature film. And Pixar animation films, like Inside/Out. They have a creative spirit that is very inspiring.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Chico Hamilton. Mount Kimbie.

What’s your favourite bit of tech, whether for professional or personal use?

My newborn son. He's very fun and does a lot of cool shit.

What artist(s) would you most like to work with and why?

Queens of the Stone Age, if you're reading this, I'm down. Call my agent.

How do you feel the promo industry has changed since you started in it?

With internet and the access to mass information, people get numb and unimpressed by creative work. People know everything and saw everything. I feel like it's our job now to find new ways to surprise people.

Music videos have had a resurgence of late; where do you see the industry being in five years’ time?

Well, I guess robots will take our jobs soon enough. Haha. Maybe they'll do a better job.