New York City's piano virtuoso Craig Greenberg has captivated audiences for over 15 years with his vibrant blend of classic and contemporary styles.
Craig has been compared to the likes of Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and Randy Newman, to name a few, but with Craig's larger-than-life persona and penchant for dramatic storytelling; it's easy to set him apart from the pack. With five albums and over a thousand shows worldwide, this gifted musician's latest music video, "Between the Sea and the Sky," won a Europe Music Video Award in March 2023.
The music video for "Between the Sea and the Sky" opens with a close-up of Craig's calm and collected, drawing viewers into his world and what’s to come. We are then greeted with a whole new setting inside of a plane as Craig takes flight from the world he used to know, as we see him deftly piloting a plane through a thunderstorm with the scene of dark waters and thunderclouds on the horizon, where the journey will take us is the name of the game.
As the visual progress, we are brought back to headshots of Craig accompanied by quick flashes of red and blue accenting the calm demeanour of Craig and the rage of the sea. Gloomy visuals of a rumbling sea below mirror the intensity of the music, drawing parallels between nature and the human experience to a tee.
As we venture on, the visual seems to be saying an important message as Craig makes it through the storm, which has since subsided: there is always a balance to be found for those who can weather the storm, as we're treated to tranquil shots of clear skies, birds soaring on gentle breezes, and flowers in full bloom. The visual journey complements the song's poignant lyrics and dynamic melodies, creating a captivating experience for the viewer.
The seamless blending of artistic elements sets "Between the Sea and the Sky" apart from other music videos. The stunning cinematography and Craig's powerful performance allow the song to tell an emotional and visually engaging story. No wonder this video earned recognition at the Europe Music Video Awards.
"Between the Sea and the Sky" is a testament to Craig Greenberg's undeniable talent as a musician and storyteller. The music video captures the essence of his artistry, leaving viewers with a memorable experience that is equally exciting and inspiring. So, buckle up and join Craig on this thrilling musical adventure.
Fly away with this one today, available on all platforms.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Craig Greenberg! Cheers to making it through the storm on "Between the Sea and the Sky," which offers a captivating visual journey accompanied by your powerful piano playing. Can you share your creative process behind the song's composition and how you drew inspiration from the elements of nature?
Hi, thanks! (yeah, it was really touch and go there for a minute). There are certain songs that I've written that come in a flash of inspiration, and "Between the Sea and the Sky" is one of them, so much so that its conception is a blur. But I remember I had the piano part intro, and then the opening line, "When I was young, I was an ocean liner, safe from the waves that would come and go. Now I'm grown and only wanna be a flier", which was clear jumping off point--the idea being of wanting to leave your safe space and go beyond what you've known; and also, what surely led me to the "sea" and "sky" concepts, which I then expanded on using the metaphors of the 'sea' is this life, and the 'sky' being the next. It's probably the most conceptual song I've ever written. I liked the title and concept so much that I named the latest EP after it!
The song conveys a message of hope and resilience as life finds balance after weathering the storm. Was there something like a personal experience that inspired this theme, or is it a culmination of your observations about life's trials and triumphs?
When I landed on the "sea" and "sky" themes, it led me to reflect on my life, i.e., the awareness that I was approaching (*ahem*) middle age ("between" in the title referencing the midpoint of life). And it also got me thinking about my music career--what I've done so far and what I still want to accomplish. It made me realize I have much further to go--like I'm still at the beginning. That was quite an exhilarating feeling!
The visual for "Between the Sea and the Sky" shows you flying a plane through a storm, which gives an unknown element to the story. How did you decide on this theme, and have you had any personal experiences with flying that influenced the concept?
Well, the instrumental part in the song is intended to give the feeling of flight, so I knew I wanted flying to be the video's central theme. My director, Dave Doobinin (who I had previously worked with on my video for "Oh Caroline"), had the idea to have me going through a storm and dealing with turbulence. Fortunately, I have been on a few rough flights over the years but have never had to pilot a plane through a storm. LOL.
In the "Between the Sea and the Sky" video, you've created a seamless blend of striking visuals and emotional storytelling. How hands-on were you in the video's direction and production, and how did you collaborate with the creative team to bring your vision to life?
Besides deciding on the quote to use and making a few edits, I gave Dave, the director, full rein over the video's concept and look and feel. He shot and edited the video, and Jordan Shapiro did the titling for the quote. Dave had previously worked at the Aviation Hall of Fame in New Jersey, where we shot inside two real mid-20th century planes. It was a lucky turn how it all came together. With the release of your latest EP and the award-winning music video for "Between the Sea and the Sky," what can your fans expect from your future projects? Do you want to explore any themes or musical styles in your upcoming work?
I'm writing a space-themed song now so I can be an astronaut in my next video (jk!)
Musically, I've found some New Orleans influence in recent songs. I've been going to that city for years and spent an extended time down there during covid in 2021, so I guess it makes sense it would seep in eventually. One new song with that influence that I've been performing live recently, "She's Gone and I'm Good for Nothing," I'll be recording for the next album, which I plan to start work on in the fall. I've been in a great creative place recently, writing what I think is my best work to date, so I'm very excited for whatever comes next!