SOUND//MIND
In 2025, my colleague James and I launched a podcast, called Sound//Mind. The idea of this was to sit down with directors who work in the advertising, music videos and long-form space. We were honestly humbled and amazed with the directors we were able to meet - they were all so inspiring and fun to spend time with! More please!
EPISODE one: Vaughan Arnell.
Vaughan has directed blueprint promos that have informed the nineties and noughties zeitgeist for artists including Robbie Williams, Spice Girls, George Michael, All Saints and Jamiroquai, alongside timeless ads that are still referenced to this day.
Vaughan took us from his early days in Claygate to his music-driven creative career, sharing stories about working with the Spice Girls, choosing the Babylon Zoo track for Levi’s iconic Planet ad, and how 808 State fit into it all.
EPISODE TWO: LIBBY BURKE WILDE.
We sat down with the brilliant Libby Burke Wilde: director at new-land, whose work blurs the line between powerful narrative commercials and emotionally rich documentaries.
From the profound personal storytelling that comes through all of her work to her interest in human rights and subcultures, Libby shares how she uses storytelling as a force for social change. Tune in for a conversation that explores the sound, soul, and substance behind her compelling body of work.
EPISODE THREE: CHRIS Chuky.
We dove deep with director Chris Chuky, whose approach to filmmaking takes on a uniquely cinematic and theatrical perspective across music videos for the likes of Kelvyn Colt, in commercials for Jack Daniels and Channel 4 x Domino's, and in his competition-winning short film BLADES (BFI x BMW).
EPISODE FOUR: OLLIE MURRAY.
"Come for the music, stay for the story," that’s how Ollie Murray approaches every project, and applies this to his narratives when tasked with crafting distinct points of view to musicians including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Quincy Jones. The films and series he creates are about people, emotion and conflict - ultimately showcasing the humanity behind these legendary artists. We spoke with Ollie about this challenge, why these iconic artists' stories are still relevant today, the challenges of modern music culture, how it forms our identities, and music's shifting cultural role.
EPISODE FIVE: ROSIE MAY BIRD SMITH.
Rosie May Bird Smith is an award-winning advertising creative-turned award-winning film director, known for infusing her storytelling with a burst of fun, masterful irreverence, and a distinctive style that’s as infectious as her personality.
She has directed a range of films for huge brands such as Andrex, ASDA and Müller, and her work in commercials and her own short films have earned her accolades including the Young Directors Award at Cannes Lions in 2023 and Best New Director at Creative Circle in 2024.
We spoke with Rosie about finding inspiration in yodel music, the detailed approach she takes when writing her treatments and defining her films’ character, and successfully bringing comedy to stories that might ordinarily take a more serious tone.
EPISODE SIX: SAM TAYLOR.
From his roots in music to his innovation in directing - there’s a powerful marriage between music and visual storytelling in Sam Taylor’s work, as evidenced in his commercial campaigns for Birkenstock, Asics x JD and Oppo, as well as his music videos for Fontaines D.C. and Grian Chatten. We had a brilliant chat with Sam about the ways in which he collaborates with the teams around him, and what inspires him from the ground up.
EPISODE SEVEN: juanita richards.
Focused on authenticity over trends, Juanita Richards' art resonates deeply and creates connection with her subjects.
Juanita places energy, rhythm, and intuition at the core of her creative process - letting movement and music tell stories words cannot. With global campaigns for Adidas, Tommy Jeans, Chanel, MAC, and more, her work heroes subcultures with depth and authenticity.
We spoke with Juanita about creative flow, emotional nuance, and why music is her secret weapon. From the set to the final frame, sound drives her vision.
EPISODE eight: tajana tokyo.
Tajana Tokyo toured the world as a dancer with iconic performers including Beyoncé and Janelle Monáe before turning her hand to directing.
In our final episode of Sound//Mind with visionary director Tajana about her truly unique perspective towards movement and filmmaking. Tajana's work is characterised by enthralling rhythm and movement, working with brands such as Apple, Amazon, Magners Irish Cider, and CoppaFeel! to create engaging, movement-led films.
We spoke with her about how music is the very first ingredient she considers, landing the perfect cast that can move in a way she envisions, and communicating the visceral language of music and movement through her films.