Published on 15 May 2012

By Matt

If you are looking for llamas, sexy girls in space helmets, and a noseless man that puts Voldemort to shame, you have come to the right place. I have admired Director Jimmy Ahlander's work since catching the music video he did last year for Capital Cities' "Safe and Sound", and was lucky enough that he found some time in his busy schedule to speak with us about his work, where his ideas come from, and how he stays inspired. Check out both the interview and some of his kick-ass videos below!

Wall Breakers: The music videos I have seen of yours have this awesome surreal quality to them. Do you have a background in surreal and/or abstract art?

Jimmy Ahlander: I think the surreal elements and stories in my videos and art are simply based on my interest in odd things. My art has always been a bit abstract and got more so as I went to the university and studied film. I saw a lot of odd films during that time and some of them left an imprint in my mind and it opened some new ways to look at art.

WB: What is your process like when developing a new idea for a music video?

JA: I like to take the music and go out for a run; that is my way of clearing my mind and just absorb the track. The idea process and the storyboarding is what I like most, this is really where the video is created. I make a detailed storyboard and in most cases an animatic to follow.

WB: What inspires you? Do you have any go-to sources for inspiration?

JA: I can't really pin point a specific source of inspiration, you catch things from such a mix of different media sources at an everyday basis. I like to read short odd stories, watch movies and go to art galleries. I collect ideas from here and there. I have a short memory so whenever I come up with an idea I instantly write it down and save it for later.

WB: When you're finding it difficult to be creative, do you have any methods to kickstart your creativity?

JA: When I have a lack of inspiration I usually go to the library. Just to flip pages in random interesting books can be extremely helpful when your mind is blocked.

And now, let me present to you the videos of Mr. Jimmy Ahlander: