MUSIC During a visit to Berlin, “smallsongs” captured a performance by Irish dream-pop duo Perlee. Simple Things BY CLAIRE DUNCOMBE Every music video in the “smallsongs” series begins with a living portrait: The musician stands still and looks straight into the camera, setting the tone for an intimate performance. They play into a mic with a singular instru- ment and on locations that vary from street corners to alleyways to city parks. The series is meant to “focus purely on the artist and watch them do their magic,” says producer and videographer Cole Mitchek. Mitchek started “smallsongs” in 2019. The Evergreen native had returned to Colo- rado after a number of years in San Francisco, and saw the video series as a way to combine his love of music and fi lm. So far, the proj- ect has showcased about 300 artists, and Mitchek has fi lmed them in cities across the country and abroad. While he wants the YouTube channel to continue to grow, with more musicians and more widespread view- ership, the target remains centered on the small moment of an artist sharing their craft. “I always grew up wanting to be a fi lm- maker,” Mitchek says. “It’s been my one and only dream my whole life.” He enrolled at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2013, where he honed his video skills and started collaborating on various short fi lms and music videos. These days, in addition to “smallsongs,” Mitchek supports himself by editing wedding videos and other free- lancing gigs. During his early collaborations at the 22 university, Mitchek learned the value of sim- plicity. Organizing shoots with big crews and multiple cameras takes time. With “small- songs,” he streamlines the fi lming process. He records the videos himself and shoots them in single takes that don’t require in- depth editing. He prefers to shoot single takes for artistic reasons, as well. “It feels spontaneous and natural,” he explains, adding that both he and the artists tend to prefer fi rst and second takes, and he’s never done more than four. Although multiple recordings could allow for the best version technically, “the fi rst or second try is the most authentic, because they’re not trying too hard,” he says. Sometimes that means the artists make mistakes. Mitchek recalls a set with Min- neapolis Americana band the Last Revel, in which a guitar string broke halfway through the shoot. But those are the special moments that he likes to highlight. “When people aren’t too afraid to show their mistakes, it makes it more relatable,” he says. The performances are fi lmed in atypical locations that set the scene for improvisa- tional moments. “When I can get life hap- pening in the background of the shoot or someone stopping and watching [the musi- cians] play, it’s really special,” Mitchek adds. The project has given Mitchek countless unforgettable memories. He describes the fun of fi lming vocalist Danitse in Lima, Peru, in a city park known for its stray cat population. There was also the time he fi lmed Fort Collins band Many Mountains on a fi re escape near Larimer Square, and a cop told them that while they could fi nish recording, they prob- ably shouldn’t be there. He’s often included moments of his wife, Andy Ventura, and their son, Elliott, somewhere in the shoot. Weather plays a role, too. In March, Mitchek fi lmed Asheville singer-songwriter Alexa Rose on a snowy winter morning. “It was her dream to shoot a video in the snow,” he explains. “Most musicians wouldn’t want to do that because the guitar will go out of tune and their hands will get cold. But I knew it would look amazing.” Mitchek says that when he started the series, he often relied on tools such as social media and Westword concert listings to fi nd musicians. But as his series expands, it’s got- ten easier to network. “I’ve learned that the music community is more tight-knit than I thought it was,” he explains. “I can discover new artists through their recommendations.” Mitchek took “smallsongs” on the road in 2020 after he and his wife converted a party bus into a livable van. She had always wanted to live in a tiny house, and they wanted to explore the country with their baby. Continuing the video series while traveling was somewhat of an afterthought, he notes, but they ended up recording artists in New Orleans, Austin, New York, Nashville and Philadelphia. It was a special time, because artists weren’t touring but “smallsongs” was able to travel to them, Mitchek adds. He sees the project as a way to support the independent music community, as it al- lows for creative freedom and exposure to larger audiences. “Some of the musicians I work with are the most incredible, talented people. I want them to be huge,” he says. Mitchek sees how similar YouTube video series, such as La Blogothèque, have gained large followings. The group has fi lmed “Take Away” shows for the past ten years, garner- ing over 600,000 subscribers and capturing performances from the likes of Iron & Wine, Angel Olsen and Mumford and Sons. Mitchek hopes “smallsongs” can do something similar. Someday, he wants to fi lm Bob Dylan. To view “smallsongs” videos, go to the YouTube channel or Instagram. Mitchek releases new videos every Wednesday and Saturday. MAY 12-18, 2022 WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | westword.com COLE MITCHEK
