Last night, I swung by Westway with a group of other OC-ers to see NYC band Behavior premiere their music video 'PS,' from their latest album Permanent Record. After the video the trio (which includes OC alum Khira) played a short set atop the infamous stripper stage. Today, I caught up with the video's director, Carlos Charlie Perez, an OC household name.
Janelle Flores: All of your videos seem to have a similar 80s aesthetic. How would you describe your style to someone unfamiliar with your work?
Carlos Charlie Perez: Hmmm... My work is definitely consciously referential. I like the idea of the viewer being able to tap into the history of cinema through a music video. It's kind of like watching a good commercial on TV—maybe sometimes you can't remember the reference the commercial makes, but it feels nostalgic.
JF: Just by looking through the Behavior video stills I can tell you enjoy dancing. Did you do the choreography?
CCP: I definitely enjoy dancing! I used to tap dance in high school and one of my favorite cheesy movies of all time is Tap, starring Gregory Hines. As for the video, the band came up with most of the choreography (roughly based on the Band of Outsiders bar dance scene *cough cough*). I came up with the special moves to add a little flair here and there.
JF: Can you explain the color story behind the video? The red, yellow, and blue remind me of pop art operas like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
CCP: Exactly! I'm always thinking of [movie] musicals when I am making music videos. I feel this genre of film [has had the greatest influence on] my palette, sets, and direction. I am also just a big fan of red, yellow, and blue in front of white.
JF: What's next for Carlos Charlie Perez?
CCP: I would love to have my first solo exhibition of my photos, rugs, and film—that’s been on the list for a while. I would also love to make a feature film/musical. I have a script that is finished, it's more about finding the right producer and the right budget.
Check out the video below and see everything else Carlos Charlie Perez here!
![]()
Ian on guitar
![]()
Khira on the drums
![]()
Behavior in action
![]()
Behavior buttons!
![]()
Bryce and Carlos
![]()
![]()
Janelle Flores: All of your videos seem to have a similar 80s aesthetic. How would you describe your style to someone unfamiliar with your work?
Carlos Charlie Perez: Hmmm... My work is definitely consciously referential. I like the idea of the viewer being able to tap into the history of cinema through a music video. It's kind of like watching a good commercial on TV—maybe sometimes you can't remember the reference the commercial makes, but it feels nostalgic.
JF: Just by looking through the Behavior video stills I can tell you enjoy dancing. Did you do the choreography?
CCP: I definitely enjoy dancing! I used to tap dance in high school and one of my favorite cheesy movies of all time is Tap, starring Gregory Hines. As for the video, the band came up with most of the choreography (roughly based on the Band of Outsiders bar dance scene *cough cough*). I came up with the special moves to add a little flair here and there.
JF: Can you explain the color story behind the video? The red, yellow, and blue remind me of pop art operas like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
CCP: Exactly! I'm always thinking of [movie] musicals when I am making music videos. I feel this genre of film [has had the greatest influence on] my palette, sets, and direction. I am also just a big fan of red, yellow, and blue in front of white.
JF: What's next for Carlos Charlie Perez?
CCP: I would love to have my first solo exhibition of my photos, rugs, and film—that’s been on the list for a while. I would also love to make a feature film/musical. I have a script that is finished, it's more about finding the right producer and the right budget.
Check out the video below and see everything else Carlos Charlie Perez here!
Ian on guitar
Khira on the drums
Behavior in action
Behavior buttons!
Bryce and Carlos
