SYLVAN ESSO /
NUMB (TEDDY GEIGER VERSION)
The Glow Management + Sylvan Esso / Music Video / Filmed in Durham, NC + Nashville, TN
In the leadup to their nationwide Shaking Out the Numb Tour, we had the privilege of following Grammy-nominated duo Sylvan Esso from their creative roots in Durham, North Carolina, to the rehearsal halls of Nashville, Tennessee. This journey gave us a unique window into the artistry and collaboration that power their music, revealing the countless hours of preparation and the close-knit relationships that make their performances feel both effortless and electric.
Our production began in Durham, where Nick Sanborn and Amelia Meath opened the doors of their studio and welcomed us into their creative process. Inside that space, surrounded by instruments, wires, and notebooks, we witnessed the pair refine melodies and shape lyrics in real time. We captured intimate behind-the-scenes moments that revealed not just their songwriting process, but the joy, tension, and spontaneity that come with preparing for a major tour. Some moments were playful—filled with laughter and experimentation—while others were focused and quiet, reflecting the discipline required to craft a performance that resonates on the national stage. From stacks of instruments to late-night rehearsals, every detail reflected the band’s distinctive blend of experimentation, precision, and instinct.
The story then shifted to Nashville, where the scale of the project grew dramatically. Moving from a small studio into expansive rehearsal halls, Sylvan Esso began to translate their ideas into a live setting. Here, the focus expanded beyond music alone: sound, lighting, stage design, and choreography all came into play. Working with an extended creative team, Nick and Amelia fine-tuned every aspect of the show, ensuring that audiences across the country would experience the music in its fullest form. We filmed wide-format visuals to capture the scope of the rehearsal stage—rows of lights, carefully placed monitors, and the energy of a production in full swing. Yet even amidst this large-scale operation, we kept our cameras focused on the human moments: the shared laughs between collaborators, the quiet concentration during technical checks, and the thrill of hearing songs come alive under the glow of stage lights.
What struck us most throughout production was the sense of community that surrounded Sylvan Esso at every turn. Beyond the two artists at the core, there was a broader network of collaborators—technicians, designers, fellow musicians, and behind-the-scenes crew—who brought their talents together to create something larger than any individual contribution. Documenting that synergy became just as important as filming the music itself, because it showed how art is rarely the product of one or two people alone. It’s the result of a village of creative minds working in harmony, each person’s effort amplifying the work of the others.
For The Marcs Studios, this project was an opportunity to merge documentary-style storytelling with the cinematic energy of a music video. We designed our approach to feel natural and immersive, balancing vérité-style shooting in the studio with sweeping, cinematic coverage of rehearsals. By moving seamlessly between intimate close-ups and wide, expansive shots, we were able to capture both the small details that reveal character and the grand scope that communicates scale. The final piece reflects that balance—something that feels both grounded and larger-than-life, human yet spectacular.
Nick and Amelia graciously welcomed us into their world, and their openness allowed us to see the layers of effort, artistry, and emotion that fuel Sylvan Esso’s performances. What began as a portrait of two artists quickly expanded into a story about a creative community: a group of people united by the shared goal of making something beautiful. For us, it was a reminder that music is more than sound—it’s a lived experience, crafted by many hands and shared with countless others.