Faced My Fears! Starred in My First Music Video

I never thought I’d find myself in front of a camera, let alone starring in a music video. But when Aeve, a talented producer introduced to me by my friend Lexi, asked me to not only write and perform lyrics for his track but also to be in the video, I couldn’t say no. Lexi, who’s always had an eye for spotting real talent, had been hyping Aeve for a while, and when we finally connected, I knew exactly what she meant. So when he came to me with this opportunity, I was all in—at least, in theory.

Sure, I agreed with enthusiasm, but that enthusiasm quickly turned into straight-up panic as the day got closer. The idea of performing in a video had me so far out of my comfort zone, it was like stepping into another universe.

A couple of days before the shoot, Connor and I headed up to Manchester to get settled and ease into things. We figured a little downtime before stepping into the unknown couldn’t hurt, so we checked into a hotel and made it our mini getaway. The hotel had a swimming pool, and we spent some quality time just kicking back, laughing, and catching up—no stress, no schedule, just a good father-son vibe.

The pool ended up being the perfect spot to clear my mind and let go of some of the nerves building up. And having Connor there? That was everything. It turned the trip into something way bigger than a work gig; it was a rare chance to just be present with my son. Beyond the pool, we took some long walks around the area, exploring without any real plan. One afternoon, we even ended up at the side of Manchester Airport, just watching planes take off. There was something grounding about standing there, taking in the roar of the engines and the sight of those planes lifting off. Sometimes, the simple things really are all you need. Those days together were filled with good conversations, lots of laughs, and a ton of reassurance that helped set me up for what was ahead.

The Manchester Shoot

The shoot was up in Manchester at Blackout Studio, and honestly, the idea of going there almost had me rethinking the whole thing. I’d never done anything like this before, and I was feeling more than a little insecure. The thought of being on camera was terrifying—I felt like I was just going to end up looking like a goofy, awkward old guy who had no business being there.

Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. my son, Connor, to come with me for moral support, and let me tell you, he was a lifesaver. As we sat outside the studio, I almost chickened out, seriously debating heading home instead. But with Connor there, I took a breath, got my head together, and walked in. Sometimes, you just need that push, and Connor was my rock that day.

Breaking the Ice

As soon as I got inside, the crew must’ve seen the nerves written all over my face. Instead of rushing things, they welcomed me in and took the time to make me feel comfortable. They started joking around, introducing themselves, and putting me at ease. They understood I was way out of my depth, and instead of letting me flounder, they gave me the boost I needed to loosen up. For the first time, I actually felt a little bit like a celeb—not a “stupid fat old man,” as I’d feared, but like someone who belonged there, thanks to their patience and encouragement.

Aeve, too, was incredible to work with. His respect for the music and everyone involved really shone through. I have so much admiration for his artistry and vision, and I hope my part in the project reflects that same level of care. The vibe on set was genuine, positive, and absolutely professional. By the end, the whole crew felt like friends who just happened to be crazy talented at what they do.

The End Result

Honestly, I still can’t believe I pulled it off. There’s always that voice in the back of your head, doubting, second-guessing, wondering if you’re just trying too hard. But as nerve-wracking as it was, I’m so glad I went through with it. Standing there, feeling the energy of the team and getting into the music I wrote, I started to feel like I belonged—not just to the project, but to my own music in a way I hadn’t felt before.

Now, I’m just looking forward to seeing the finished product. Part of me is still nervous, but I can’t wait to see how it all comes together. I hope my performance lives up to the vision Aeve had and that my face doesn’t ruin it all, pmsl. But honestly, I think we all put so much heart into this video that I can be proud of it, awkward or not.

Wrapping Up

This whole experience was a rollercoaster I didn’t see coming, and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. Huge respect to Aeve for trusting me with the lyrics and for pulling me into this wild ride. And to Lexi—if it wasn’t for her, I never would’ve crossed paths with Aeve in the first place. She’s always believed in my music, and her instincts were spot-on introducing me to Aeve.

To the crew, who took a nervous mess and made me feel like I could handle it—thank you. And, of course, to Connor, for being there when I needed it most.

But most of all, to my Mrs.—she’s been a constant source of support through it all, encouraging me with my music and pushing me to chase my dreams, even when it means stepping out of my comfort zone. I couldn’t have done this without her unwavering belief in me.

Here’s to stepping out of our comfort zones, to firsts, and to the team that made this possible. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.