The
rock’n’roll classic is transformed into an emotional choir piece, conducted by
Benedek Hetei-Bakó, who also appears in the video. The group filmed the entire
video over the course of six hours – an impressive feat in and of itself –
starting at the crack of dawn to avoid the influx of tourists who flood the
area on nice days.
Despite the warm temperatures of two weeks ago, the girls’
hair whip in the video, as winds howled across the ridge-line during filming.
The end result is dramatic and powerful – full of energy, emotion and talent.
The video also features an impressive solo by Laura Balku, whose pet corgi, Tofu, watches her perform from the couch. Many in the choir saw the message of ‘Dream On’ as pertinent to the present coronavirus, urging listeners to not lose hope in dark times.
The natural areas around Pilisborosjenő draw in
visitors year-round, especially in the summer when pick-your-own lavender
fields open to the public. The ‘Camel Rock’ formation, or Teve-szikla, and
nearby reconstructions of the Eger Castle ruins are popular destinations by
Budapest locals looking for a fun day out.
While filming, Song Factory Budapest
worked quickly to stay one step ahead of visitors, at one point stumbling upon
a group teaching medieval dance and song in the castle ruins. As they were
leaving, police officers had set up at the trailhead to enforce mask-wearing,
and the streets were clogged with the cars of incoming sightseers.
The audio recording for the song was all done in masks, something which everyone agreed was a new experience! Recording also took place in small groups of no more than five, in order to stay in compliance with the most recent, strict restrictions.
Song Factory Budapest is a local choir group,
mostly made up of young adults, who perform around the city during normal
times. Throughout the coronavirus, the group has maintained their rigorous work
ethic, holding online rehearsals and constantly learning new material.
As live
performances are banned, the group has been recording music videos, such as
their latest ‘Dream On’, to stay relevant. Past performances include Billie
Eilish’s ‘Bad Guy’, Christmas classic ‘Sleigh Ride’, and ‘Esti Ének’ and ‘Olyan Ő’
by Bagossy Brothers Company.
