Russ is an AI designer, creative director, and digital creator based in London. Passionate about animation, music, and film, he blends these elements to craft a series of innovative, AI-generated music videos. Drawing inspiration from the lowbrow art movement, Russ channels artists such as Ray Ceaser, Tara McPherson, and Mark Ryden—known as a “relentless kitsch meister” in the tradition of Bosch, Dalí, and the charm of Little Golden Books. His mini music videos merge AI-generated visuals with pop culture elements, creating a charming fusion of art and technology.
Russ’s projects feature music from artists like Wolf Alice, Bob Dylan, Echo and the Bunnymen, New Order, and Leonard Cohen, to name a few. You can explore more of his work on Instagram. For this review, we’ll focus on two standout pieces:
Click to Play
The Clash
London Calling (1:30 sec)
Animation: @klingai_official, @hailuoai_official
Images created: Midjourney
Music: The Clash
Created by: @thedigitalassembly
Formed in 1976, The Clash featured iconic members Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (bass guitar), and Topper Headon (drums). This short video reimagines the essence of each band member, featuring exaggerated, oversized heads and mod suits, with Simonon standing out in his signature cap and leather biker jacket. Meanwhile, images of modern London glide by in the background, highlighting a stark contrast to the gritty, impoverished city of the 70s, as Britain’s finances spiraled downward. Punk exploded with frenetic energy, capturing the anxiety and spirit of a generation on the brink of change. In Russ’s video, The Clash is reimagined through a sweeter, calmer lens, with a nostalgic, muted color palette that creates a soft, serene vibe, while cleverly and playfully offering a witty homage to the band’s legacy.
Click to Play
The Ramones
Rockaway Beach (40th Anniversary Mix) 1:29 sec
Animation: @klingai_official
Images created: Midjourney
Music: The Ramones
Created by: @thedigitalassembly
The Ramones, formed in 1974 in New York City, helped define punk rock with their simple three-chord sound. Joey (lead vocals), Johnny (lead guitar, vocals), Dee Dee (bass guitar, vocals), and Tommy (drums) became one of the most influential American punk bands in history. While the setting in this AI generated video of Rockaway Beach feels more reminiscent of Brighton Beach, as seen recently in the movie Anora, the joy of the seaside is unmistakable. I love the styling—leather jackets, striped tees, skinny jeans with torn knees, Chucks, shades, and signature haircuts. None of the Ramones were related, but they dressed alike and shared similar coifs, and this little video captures that perfectly. Sadly, none of the band members are still alive, which makes hearing this great song, in such a sweet package, both lovely and bittersweet.
