Punchline (Official Music Video)
🕑 Added 2024-12-11 17:16:11 +0000 UTCAs it was written in bible, "Blessed be the patrons, for they shall inherit Big Nick's new music videos one week early." (paraphrased)
This one is different from anything else I've done! It was quite the tightrope walk synchronizing the dance, camera moves, sunlight, moving the bed, hiding everyone that wasn't supposed to be on camera, etc. All I had to do was show up and remember the lyrics. We did 4 full takes and Justin's shadow kept entering the shot on the first 3 during the piano 360. Every take he would move further back, but his shadow just kept getting longer due to the sun setting. Thankfully we got it just in time for the sun to fully set.
This is the kickoff, folks. This will officially enter the world next Wednesday, December 18. Please like and share once its live! We'll be releasing a new single and accompanying video every month for the foreseeable future. I'm hoping to host a listening party for the full album on 12/21. More info soon!
Shot by Justin Cipriani
Dance by Understory:
Dance direction: Jules DownumChoreography: Jenison and Jerigray Eduave with Jules Downum
Dancers: Jenison Eduave, Jerigray Eduave, Crystal Newson, Jess Ortega, Emma Pannkuk
Special thanks to Roger Knipp and Trudy Harper
Extra hands: Eric Parham, Brian Lutsko and Andrew Walker
Thanks to Randy Steele for providing the bed and Cameron McGriff for providing the piano
Comments
Nicholas Lutsko
Beautiful!
nymaré
I'm not sure I can deal with how touching I find this song. Hopes being shattered, hearts being broken, our wings melting, things you built falling apart, the rebuilding of ourselves and our "homes" again and again just to find ourselves back where we always start from. But there's a progression and, as always, hope. We find that little ray of light in utter darkness. Asking what the whole point is to putting your pieces back together when, like Nice Weather!, the impermanence of that high we keep trying to reach and the cold that returns in the night make the idea of simply staying in bed so appealing. Hearing someone else say you don't need a punchline to make it all worth it was comforting; especially in a world where so many interactions feel like transactions and you and the value of that interaction is based on how you can give someone else the punchline they're looking for. And I like the thought that everyone's pieces are scattered beneath the sky like so many pink rose petals. We're all a little broken. And though it's not alluded to, I like the thought of how, in the rubble, someone else's pieces become part of us and vice versa as we put ourselves back together; so that I am myself, my friends, my lessons, and some songs.
Abran Peralta
I'm a new father. My son is 17 months right now. I'm looking forward to and dreading how emotional this album will make me, all at the same time.
Abran Peralta
Can you post the lyrics for all the upcoming songs as they come out, perhaps in a pinned comment when you post to YouTube? It will help me to connect with the music, which I want very much to do.
Kat
Y’know that feeling when you are a little low in spirits and then one of your favourite artists drops a beautiful tune and you repeatedly listen to it with headphones on full blast and end up dancing around the kitchen? And you should really go to bed and face the coming day but you decide on just one more listen? That. This song stirs THAT feeling and I love everything about it.
Erin J
This is beautiful. ❤️
Chad Allen
10 Hell Yups out of 10. Felt this with my entire soul.
Robert Jarvis
Overcome with emotion. Thank you, Big Nick. What an incredible song .
josh taylor
Easily the most beautiful song of 2024. From the guy that did the Spirit Halloween trilogy of songs. Stunning. Nick if you don't someday win a Grammy I will be heartbroken.
emeon
This song is beautiful, man. Another banger from you .
Kerry
This is a beautiful song, and at first I misunderstood it as a love song, but I think Nick is sniffing glue, which surprises me because I thought that he was for sure into bath salts.
Cece
Tremendously beautiful Nick!!!
Nicholas Lutsko
In a field in Soddy Daisy, TN!
Ester Megera
Thank you for the amazing music, I'm so glad I could listen to it! This piece immediately became one of my favorite songs ever. It's truly beautiful
Jenn Frank
Words fail me 💚
Kerry
Where did ya'll film this? Sorry if that's already been answered, I may have missed it
Kerry
Well said friend
Phelps
Beautiful, Nick. Thank you!
Nicholas Lutsko
Break me into pieces And put me together again High from the adhesive My body begins to ascend I fly so close I build my home On top of a cloud And wake up all over the ground Rolling out of bed and Falling into the abyss Landing on a sunbeam That’s pouring out from an eclipse It finds the holes Inside my soul I’m flooded with light But the cold still returns in the night Is there a path? Is there a purpose? Is there a payout? Do we deserve it? Is there a power that I can interpret? Is there a punchline? Laughing ‘til I pass out On a rooftop in LA Sleeping in my backseat Looking for places to play I drove all night The morning light Led me home to you Just as it continues to do Dancing in our first house When the baby started to sing Lost in different countries Looking for vanishing places to eat We find our way Despite the maze It may never end And who knows when the cold will relent Is there a path? Is there a purpose? Is there a payout? Do we deserve it? Is there a power that I can interpret? I don’t need a punchline To make it all worth it Is there a path? Is there a purpose? Is there a payout? Do we deserve it? There is a power in every person To hell with the punchline Everyone’s pieces are Scattered beneath the sky To hell with the punchline Break me into pieces And put me together again High from the adhesive My body begins to ascend I fly so close I build my home On top of a cloud And wake up all over the ground
Nicholas Lutsko
Hell yup, Nate
Nicholas Lutsko
Wow, thank you!
Nicholas Lutsko
Ask Eric AKA "Bed Man"
Kerry
So good, a masterpiece really
Rob Blake
Not sure I'm ready for this album. Wonderful work.
Ryan Samstag
Nick, this absolutely rules!
SweetnSuavey
Oooh I would love to see the lyrics for this song! Its beautiful
Michael Stone
Oh my God. You wrote a truly perfect song.
Sean and Kyla
I’m so excited this is finally coming out! Definitely a favorite.
Nate
Yeah, that is simply a great song. As I get older, I fear that I won’t have a punchline. Takes a lot of stress off a person to realize that just getting up everyday is a victory. Beautiful man, just beautiful.
Thaddeus Carpenter
Really loved this!
Mira Margolis
My initial comment may have been deleted, but to sum up, kindness and community are punk AF. Hope is political when you’re facing down a system that wants you to feel hopeless
Colipz
Genuinely one of the best music videos I've seen. It was so beautiful, I can't put it into words. Thank you for all the amazing music you have made and I can't wait to hear more
Molly Rosen
Amazing! I'm excited for stuff to start rolling out. Great work by everybody putting this video together. It looks fantastic.
red
oh its so good its so good
Fergal Colreavy
Beautiful song and video, well done!
Rachel
Such a pretty song and a gorgeous video to match. The Ends era is going to be incredible!
Lissa Cereal
aaaahhhhhh! Love this so much.
Dan Pawlak
Wonderful song; amazing video. Can’t wait to hear how easy it was to move the bed and piano in and out.
Manda Irle
This is beautiful! I’m so excited for the new album, and videos! Glad to have some bright spots to look forward to in the coming months
Brielle Garcia
Absolutely beautiful. ❤️
Josh Mills
What a beautiful song.
Delfin aka Regular Tyler
It turned out so great! Glad all the hard work paid off. <3
David Cain
Beautiful! Didn't realize the dancers from Understory were going to be in the video.
Clayton Spinney
This absolutely rules. Can't wait for the album!