To provide something extra special to go along with the release of the documentary film “The Future of Climbing,” starring Cédric Lachat, we made a music video from the film’s soundtrack, with the song and lyrics written by LinkRust and Nico Pelorson. Since the music was composed specifically for the documentary, this was also a way to pay tribute to the work of these two highly talented musicians. For the first time, I’m also offering the chance to take a peek behind the scenes with the making-of video of the shoot.
Hook up the biggest speaker you have,
And crank the volume up to eleven…
OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO (“NO FUTURE for CLIMBING”) – NICO PELORSON & LINKRUST (ENG subs)
I came up with the idea for this song when filming started for the documentary “The Future of Climbing,” starring Cédric Lachat. I wanted to make an original song composed specifically for the film – a funny yet somewhat disconcerting rap song about what the future of rock climbing might look like. While filming in Font, Solenne Piret recommended that I get in touch with Nico Pelorson (aka El Pelo), who was perhaps just the right person for the job.
I let the project simmer for a year before finally deciding to call Nico to talk to him about this project. In addition to being a very strong boulderer, he is also a musician, rapper, and, completely unrelated, a physical therapist (and even a crossword puzzle creator). He agreed to the project and wrote the lyrics.
What followed was a a collaboration between Nico and my go-to beatmaker, producer, and musician LinkRust, and then producing the track, filming the music video, and putting together the making-of to top it all off.
Behind the Scenes: filming a music video (ENG SUBS)
While filming the music video at the climbing gym, Gabriel Banvillet joined us to shoot the behind-the-scenes footage, which offers a glimpse of what goes on when filming of a music video. English captions available.
Looking for more?
- The original soundtrack for the film is available on several platforms (Deezer, Spotify, Bandcamp etc)
- The rap song “Le Turfu de l’Escalade” (No Future for Climbing) by Nico Pelorson is available on Deezer and Spotify
- Watch the full documentary (52 min), The Future of Climbing, on Youtube
- Enjoy the music work of LinkRust (Bandcamp)
- Watch and listen to Nico Pelorson (El Pelo) on YouTube
Climbers on screen
Nico Pelorson – Cédric Lachat – Dave Graham – Solène Piret – Julia Chanourdie – Manon Hilly – Manon Bérend – Eline LeMenestrel – Katie Choong – Théo Blass – Patxi Usobiaga – Alex Megos – Tobias Suter – Chris Sharma – Catherine Destivel
Media team
- Director: Guillaume Broust
- Camera work and photography: Alex Lopez – Guillaume Broust – Marc Daviet
- Additional footage: Gabriel Banvillet – Chris TongViet
- Original score: “Le Futur de l’Escalade” available on several platforms
- Visual Effects: Benoit Jodry
- Color: Art & Grade
- Production: L’Endroit Films
- Translation: Darin Reisman
- Technical support: Karpos – Petzl – Arkose – Peopeo
- Filming location: Au Perchoir – Wendy Rowe – Léo Front
LYRICS
Without a doubt the future of climbing
is bright and bold
In large part thanks
to ’80’s climbers growing really old.
No more rants from angry boomers
grumbling without rest
Claiming kids can’t crimp
or hold a two-pad edge at best.
Goodbye to those geezers
yelling from their porch at teens
Equating ticks to murder
and claiming “only by fair means!”
Every time they stand and preach,
I say see-y’all later
I’d rather climb at night
on manky bolts than be with haters.
And even though I’m just as old,
I feel so young at heart
Yet ‘weak sauce’ and ‘butter fingers’
are my finest insult art
I’d rather play a game of Clue
than hit the clubs at night
Where I’d hurt my knees
and tweak my back or get into a fight.
Kids these days,
all they care about is style
Being the best of the best
at the top of the pile
With their loud and crazy music,
always disturbing the peace
Yet your chiseled 9a routes
don’t bother them in the least.
Even if one day
climbers overcrowd the crag
We can always put our faith
in the Kilter Board’s swag.
A thousand V11s
in just three square feet
More than Font forest
isn’t that really neat?
By only climbing indoors,
like an ox we’ll be strong
And on the campus board,
fears of falls are long gone.
In the gym our nerves are spared
from the stress and dread
No more falls on coffin nails
messing with your head.
In the end gym life
is really not that bad
Pulling down on plastic
can be truly fantastic.
Sandals and climbing shoes
for the hundred slabs you’ll cruise
You’re amygdala can’t lose
and you won’t get the blues.
Forget the outdoors
with things falling all around
I’ll just stick to gyms
and their chalked-up holds abound.
Lynn Hill who?
Never heard of the Nose
We like to send hard V15
right next to our Bose.
Say goodbye to those route setters
whose boulder problems never flow
It’s the computer age
and AI’s the way to go.
When climbing indoors,
the boulder problems just feel right
Gone are those moves
that never go without a fight.
Algorithms making sure
that every grade is clean
No more gimmes to make you think
that you’re now part of the scene.
Say goodbye to sponsored pros
who inflate their grades
Only climbing hard
will get you screaming accolades.
Gone are razor crimps,
and screaming barfies when it’s cold
Gone are rusty anchors
and chossy rock for a hold
Gone is polished rock,
routes where you can’t see the top
Falling rock that goes pop
and runouts that don’t stop
No more strange eliminates
and routes that traverse all day
No more weird locals
and cold temps that make you pay.
No more approaches or long flights,
poor weather or cold nights
easements or agreements,
or ratings for debating
It’s all in the past
if we keep moving fast…
Written by Nico Pelorson (© all rights reserved)
adapted and translated by Darin Reisman
