Film, Television and Theatre Production degree students at The Northern School of Art have created a series of short films for Teesside-based four-piece Cigar Cigar to accompany the band’s debut album.

Called ‘The Edge of the Conversation’ the 12 track LP set for release on April 4th was recorded over eighteen months due to lockdown restrictions and the BA (Hons) Film, Television & Theatre Production degree students have produced videos to accompany four tracks so far.

Leonard Villamor created a film for the ‘Warsaw Skyline’ track,  Adam Mclean for ‘Theme from (Cigar Cigar)’, a film for the ‘To the Lighthouse’ track was directed by Jaden Byron and the ‘Attract the Dogs’ track film was directed by Ella Patience and Tom Maddocks.

The casts for the films include acting students from The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Acting degree for Stage & Screen degree course as well as friends of the directors.

The band, pictured above, said that they were really proud to be supporting young artists and that they had worked to keep everything associated with the project as local as possible. In addition to the collaboration with The Northern School of Art students, the album was recorded on Teesside and mixed and mastered by Andy Bell in Newcastle.

Singer and songwriter Russell Smith, above right, explained the inspiration behind the LP as drawing “inspiration from every aspect of life”.

He added: “From the despair-driven ‘Outside the Line’ to the super-uplifting, ‘Warsaw Skyline’ the theme of hope runs through the entire album.

“The songs take you to places you hoped you’d never visit, as well as the places you never want to leave. The mistakes of life are laid bare for all to see, and we really believe we have produced the most honest record we could.”

A full digital release will be available from all major online music outlets and the limited edition vinyl will be on sale from the band’s website as well as most Teesside record shops. The heavyweight vinyl is limited to 500 with each record individually numbered.

Cigar Cigar are also getting on the road in the early summer and will be announcing a series of Teesside gig dates.

• To visit Cigar and Cigar’s website click HERE
• Adam Mclean (‘Theme from (Cigar Cigar)’ is on Instagram at @I_do_film_stuff 
• Tom Maddocks and Ella Patience (‘Attract the Dogs’) are on Instagram at @tmadd19 and @ellajadepatience
• Leonard Villamor (‘Warsaw Skyline’) is on Instagram at @leo.villaaaaaaaa
• Further information about The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Film, Television & Theatre Production degree is available HERE

The videos created by The Northern School of Art students are available to view below.

(Theme from) Cigar Cigar directed by Adam Mclean featuring Chantel Watterson, Oscar W Fitchett and Beth Precious

Warsaw Skyline directed by Leonard Villamor

Attract the Dogs directed by Tom Maddocks and Ella Patience 

To the Lighthouse directed by Jaden Byron