We are made aware that these characters are living under the most oppressive conditions when Sergey is making a joke about Stalin and is interrupted by a superior who takes note of his behavior. Though set mainly in the 1970s, “Firebird” often feels like it is taking place in the 1940s and ‘50s, but that is likely true to the era and locale being recreated. When the clandestine lovers sneak off to skinny-dip with each other and start to have sex underwater, Rebane quickly cuts to two very phallic jet planes shooting ultra-fast together through the sky. When Sergey and Roman finally kiss, it feels like a collision, like cymbals clashing, but there is a lighthearted quality to the way Rebane portrays their passion that can sometimes feel more than a little silly. Merriam-Webster Targeted Online With Threats of Anti-LGBTQ Violence, U.S. You could follow the first half of “Firebird” even if you didn’t speak English, because all of the meanings are being expressed visually rather than in dialogue. When Sergey is driving a truck with Roman in the passenger seat, we see trees going by on the windshield but only on Roman’s side of the screen, an expressive visual idea that is all the more effective for not being lingered on. There is a scene in which Sergey and Roman are in a darkroom developing photographs together, where Mäekivi casts an orange glow over their faces broken only by the red of their lips, a very unusual color combination that greatly aids the feeling of a building romantic tension between them. The dominant creative force in this first section of “Firebird” is cinematographer Mait Mäekivi, who gives the blues and reds of the uniforms and the flags on display an early-Technicolor sort of gleam. Rebane keeps things going at a lightly simmering pace as we watch Sergey falling more and more in love with Roman the actors speak English with light Russian accents, but words have very little importance here. Mike felt it important that the video show the personalities of each boy in the band but also show something bigger than ECHO V: the diverse world around us.Billy Eichner Makes History at CinemaCon With First Look at LGBTQ+ Rom-Com ‘Bros’
They drew inspiration from The Wizard of Oz in terms of color scheme and the switch from black and white to color. (Sharp listeners will notice the lyrics of the song also draw inspiration from The Wizard of Oz.) The video cuts back and forth between Echo V singing and real people of all different shapes, sizes and colors marching in Pride parades.
Mike helped to conceptualize the music video for “Rainbow,” along with videographer Chris Greenwell and editor Adam Amore. “We hope our album can be enjoyed by all regardless of age, gender, sexuality or race because art and creation is universal,” says Mike. In 2018, the entertainment industry is more vibrant than ever with the mainstream success of television shows like Queer Eye and RuPaul’s Drag Race but there is still progress to be made, especially in the music arena. Part of what the boys of Echo V are hoping to break is the stereotype that being an out, gay musician is a nail in the coffin of an artist’s career. It’s a journey to self-discovery and the strength it takes to live life in the open, day in and out.” “Rainbow is about unapologetically owning your multifaceted-ness and realizing that you have to live for yourself. In the second verse, there is a moment of acceptance and defiance where we come to terms with how this one life is for us and not for them.” It then continues with how the struggle to conform to society’s standards can be harmful to some. The first few lines of the song are about finding yourself. “It kind of came from a place deep within that was filled with despair and even frustration. “The narrative in ‘Rainbow’ is personal,” Jay continued from the Los Angeles studio where the band recorded the song. “Our hope is that the song inspires people to stand up and claim their truth, be happy with who they are and find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.” While it is a fun, high energy pop anthem with an explosive hook that will get listeners dancing and singing, it also has an important message. Their debut single, “Rainbow,” reflects their decision to be out about their sexuality. By all outward appearances, they seem to be the typical boy band with good looks, lush harmonies and killer choreography, but they have one important difference: they’re all gay. Jay, Mike, Randy, Devin and Gama are Echo V, five guys with distinct, echoing voices that combine to create one beautiful sound. Although several boy bands in the past have had one of its members come out as gay at some point ( Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block, Lance Bass of *NSYNC), there has never been one that has truly consisted of five openly gay men in one band… until now.