Ask up-and-coming actress, writer and producer Megan Penn what it’s like to date in LA and chances are you will get an eye-roll and an earful about how many Angelenos out here are emotionally unavailable. Megan has now stepped up her flirting with emotionally unavailable men game as she now co-stars with actor Jon Hamm (Fargo, The Morning Show, Mad Men, Baby Driver) in the new Leslie Stevens music video, Blue Roses.
The song is a captivating musical journey that seamlessly blends Americana, folk, country, and rock influences, showcasing Stevens’ remarkable versatility as an artist. Her vocals, a soulful and emotive force, breathe life into the bluesy rock-pop track with the hook, “All I get from you are blue roses.”
Released on Friday, Stevens is a bluesy rock-pop performer who explores themes of heartbreak with lyrics like “Go ahead and take another little piece of my heart/I’ll give it to you as a fall apart.” While Stevens performs with a band on stage, she eyeballs would-be boyfriend Hamm going well, “ham” on three beauties, including an alluring Penn as “Vixen,” sitting and flirting with him on a couch in the bar.
The blue rose, a central motif in Stevens’ track and video symbolizes mystery and a poignant yearning for the unattainable. As a recurring theme in the song, the blue rose becomes a metaphor for elusive desires and unfulfilled connections. Its symbolism extends beyond mere aesthetics, embodying a sense of mystery and impossibility, mirroring the complex emotions woven into the lyrics.
Stevens’ exploration of heartache and longing finds a powerful visual counterpart in the music video, where Hamm’s ultimately unattainable character adds layers to the narrative. The blue rose, with its inherent sense of longing and mystery, serves as a profound symbol that enriches the depth of the song’s emotional landscape.
The video, directed by Paige Stark of the rock band Tashaki Miyaki, showcases Hamm’s charismatic performance, including a scene where he hijacks Stevens’ microphone during her live performance and replaces it with blue roses. Watch below and look for Megan/Vixen at the bar.
REELated:
Stevens expressed her excitement about working with Hamm to The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “Working with Jon was an honor. He’s as charismatic as he is kind, and he just seems to be able to create and add so much dimension to his character on the spot.” She described the on-set experience as magical, and the video portrays Hamm as the perfect fit for the role.
This collaboration adds to Hamm’s list of music video appearances, which includes Eels’ Are We Alright Again, Aimee Mann’s Labrador, The Lonely Island and Rihanna’s Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde, and George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord.
In addition to the music video release, Stevens announced the release date of her new self-titled album, scheduled for February 23. The album features Blue Roses and includes contributions from My Morning Jacket’s Bo Koster and Incubus’ Nicole Row. Stevens, who produced the album with Kevin Ratterman, describes the project as a reflection of herself, emphasizing the importance of finding joy and expression amid challenging times.
Hamm just wrapped spectacular seasons on Fargo and The Morning Show. He can now be heard in the new Fox animated series, Grimsburg.
Multihyphenate Penn will next play the lead in Paige Stark’s new short (Penn also wrote) film The Other Side which is about a chance meeting between a young woman and a senior in a cemetery. It is a part of the Film Independent Fiscal Sponsorship program. You can support the project here.
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
