Scottish songwriter Shay O’Dowd has teamed up with Hollywood actor David O’ Hara for his latest EP release.
O’Hara and rising star actor and model Connor Newall – known for roles in films including 28 Years Later – both feature in the promo video for O’Dowd’s song, ‘What’s Your Plan Son?’.
The eight-minute short film depicts a father and son as they go through their working day with the song providing the soundtrack.
Speaking of his latest role, O’Hara - who has starred in movies such as The Departed, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Pt1 – said: “I came in from filming at 120 degrees in the Californian desert to hypothermic Greenock to do the video, which was a shock.
“Then I get given a script from the director - a script for a music video? What the f**k?
“However, it was the best two days working on this with Shay.
“I worked with his Dad on the coal trucks in Pollock in the 70s. We lived this song, we lived the music. I’ve lived these lyrics.”
O’Dowd, who won Breakthrough Artist at last year’s Scottish Music Awards, has previously been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Lewis Capaldi and Paolo Nutini, said: “I wrote about my dad growing up in a tough environment and the complicated relationship he had with his own father.
“At its heart, it’s about the moment he realised where his life could end up if he didn’t choose a different path.
“It’s about the choice between becoming a product of your surroundings or finding the courage to want something better for yourself.
“The father-and-son relationship has always fascinated me because so much can go unsaid. Feelings aren’t always expressed openly, and I think that’s what makes those relationships so powerful.
“The title ‘What’s Your Plan Son?’ can be interpreted in two ways. On the surface, it sounds like my grandad asking my dad that question. But to me, there’s another meaning that’s even more important.
“It’s my dad asking himself that question - a moment of self-reflection where he realises that if his life is going to change, he’s the one who has to change it.”
The actors can be seen driving along Gourock’s waterfront with O’Dowd’s song forming the soundtrack.
The singer managed to secure O’Hara’s involvement due to family ties.
He said: “As I reference in the first verse, my dad worked on the coal lorries as a teenager alongside his childhood friend David O’Hara, who has since gone on to become one of Scotland’s most recognisable actors, appearing in films such as Braveheart, Harry Potter, and The Departed.
“Because of David’s personal connection to the story, I was lucky enough to put together a film crew and create a short film to accompany the song, starring David alongside the brilliant young Scottish actor Conor Newall, who recently appeared in 28 Years Later.
“We filmed the project in the Scottish seaside towns of Greenock and Gourock.
“Although my dad didn’t grow up there, we wanted somewhere that felt bleak, isolated and full of character - somewhere that reflected the feeling of being trapped in a place where it’s hard to imagine a different future.
“The locations were perfect and helped us tell what I hope feels like a universal story about a complicated father-and-son relationship.
“The song runs throughout the short film, with dialogue coming in and out to bring the story to life.”
O’Dowd, who has also been working on songs with Jamie Squire - the touring keyboardist and guitarist with pop giants The 1975, added: “This is without any doubt, the project I’m most proud of.
“To think that, as an independent artist, I was surrounded by an entire crew of talented people who gave up their time purely because they believed in the idea is something I’ll never take for granted.
“Seeing a song that started in my bedroom grow into something so collaborative has been the most fun experience I’ve had in my career so far, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who was a part of it.
“The song was recorded and produced by Jamie Squire, who writes with and plays in The 1975 - a band I’ve looked up to for years. The drums completely brought the song to life and were played by Freddy Sheed, who plays with Lewis Capaldi, another artist I’ve always admired.”
Having previously sold out his own shows, toured with Deacon Blue and played at the TRNSMT and Latitude festivals, he has lined up UK tour dates including shows at Aberdeen Café Drummond on November 4, Dundee Music Hall (5) and Edinburgh Cabaret Voltaire (6).
The lead song from the EP, Headspace, is out now.