Ian North Shares Nature-Inspired Music Video for “Why We Build Houses,” Harmonious Folk Song about Fragility
We all need to protect ourselves – from nature’s wild elements, from our own turbulent hearts. This is the central theme to “Why We Build Houses,” taken from Orillia, Ontario songwriter Ian North’s recent album, Everything is Incomplete.
The introspective and harmonic ‘fallen angel folk rock’ tune was sparked by a conversation with a friend where the song’s title struck North as a universal truth.
“It’s a poem about fragility and the reference to a physical house is a metaphor for emotional and spiritual protection or self-preservation as well,” North explains.
The video was filmed on and around his forest property in Muskoka, featuring a concept that echoes the delicacy at the song’s core.
“The waterfalls symbolize the turbulence of life and our own hearts,” North details. “The song starts with the image of ‘When the wind blows, it blows everywhere, through the town, takes the leaves and the lawn chairs.’ We wanted to shoot the film in the outdoors and highlight the beauty that comes from understanding ‘how small is life.’”
Everything is Incomplete is a powerful collection of melody-rich and image-laden songs that will stick in your head. It’s an eclectic, sophisticated layering of modern sounds, blending electronic folk, roots, pop and jazz. His lyrics are smart and his message is sharp and edgy at times, covering a wide range of topics, from lost love to politics to existential theory.
With a scathing take on the world, tempered by occasional musings on life in utopia, Ian North offers unique perspectives and poetic insights on subjects surrounding the human condition. At the same time, he provides a measured glimpse into the nature of the man behind the poetry.