BY MEGHAN BRIANNA
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY ORTIZ
Floridian native and Los Angeles based singer Anthony Ortiz was recently featured in Unclear Magazine’s April issue. His newest project, a hybrid between an interview and a music video for his recent release, “Using Me,” features an explanation of the song, some insight from Anthony of what music means to him, as well as a mini a cappella rendition. Check out the video below, as well as some behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot, and some words from the director, Jesse Diamond, and Anthony Ortiz.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY ORTIZ
Anthony: “Using Me” is just me expressing how I felt about some people who weren’t really being the best of friends to me while I was doing the most for them. I see the good in everyone, which is my best quality but a curse at the same time. I’ve always expressed what’s on my mind through music but never really put a picture to it, so the homie Jessie reached out about one of my songs “Tongue Twister,” and explained to me visions for visuals he had. It had me so stoked because I’ve always wanted to make a music video! But at the time, I had life in the way, so it stalled a bit.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY ORTIZ
A: We ended up reconnecting and talked about a cool concept for my newest release and I just thought it was the dopest thing ever. He really helped me tap into telling more about myself through this video and helping people understand why I love what I do and that is such a blessing. He’s helped me deliver the full message I want to put out on a new level. Seeing it come to life was awesome and such an experience. I want people to not just listen to “Using Me” but [be able to] visualize it. Hopefully it helps someone come to a realization about how important the environment around you is.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY ORTIZ
Jesse Diamond: I heard Anthony’s song “Tongue Twister” on a pretty big playlist on YouTube and had to reach out. We ended up meeting at a restaurant in Burbank while he was on The Voice. We talked music, his long term ideas for his music, and his marketing and brand goals. I wanted to help in any way possible. I like working with people that have a similar, or even more, of a work ethic that I have and Anthony has that. He is smart and has a clear cut vision of what he wants and I was immediately team Anthony after a few meetings with him.
J: I asked Anthony to send me any new music he had been working on and he texted me three tracks. “Using Me” was one of the tracks and I gravitated towards it. It told a story that was personal and I felt we had an opportunity to let supporters in to Anthony’s life a little by letting his guard down and opening up a little bit about who Anthony is as a person. I felt the track deserved more than just a music video. I ran the idea of a documentary-style visual where we talked about who he is as a person and use the track “Using Me” as the main score of the piece. We ran around LA for 12 hours and created the visual. I felt that his supporters would get more out of it than a music video. Not saying there isn’t a music video coming, but we wanted his supporters to walk away with knowing Anthony more.