S G Lewis ft. Gallant 'Holding Back' by John Merizalde

John Merizalde has shown how he can blur the lines between drama and reality in his recent videos for Declan McKenna and Lewis Del Mar. Now he's done a full-on documentary, with a heartwarming profile of the Cascade roller skating rink in Atlanta, its rich history and important place in the local culture, for SG Lewis's Holding Back.

Merizalde returns to this haunt of his youth, with co-director Pasqual Gutierre, to capture the Cascade's unique flavour and recall the heady days of its past, while the delicious Holding Back provides an appropriately uplifting soundtrack. Lovely stuff.

JOHN MERIZALDE:

"Growing up in Atlanta, Cascade was a place that always fascinated me. When I was a teenager, I had the experience of spending an evening at this unassuming roller skating rink on the west side. What immediately stuck out to me was the energy - the Cascade crowd was diverse, the music was electric, and the movement was contagious. I realized this wasn't just a place to skate; it was a subculture, a community.

"When I heard Holding Back I realized this was not only the perfect opportunity to create a memorably groovy video but also a lasting tribute for this magical place. The track has a palpable sexiness that perfectly compliments the smoothness of Cascade skaters. Beyond the surface level coolness however, we wanted to layer some moodier undertones to match the lyrics, leaving us with a hybrid narrative doc that hopefully resonates with viewers.

"If anything, I hope this video motivates some of you to get up and grab a pair of skates."