Dawes' Taylor Goldsmith Embarks on a Comedic Hollywood Odyssey with Conan O'Brien

Taylor Goldsmith, the frontman of the folk-rock band Dawes, is ready to take Hollywood by storm, and he's enlisted the help of none other than Conan O'Brien to guide him on his journey. In the hilarious new music video for Dawes' song "Mr. Los Angeles," Goldsmith finds himself auditioning for a talent manager portrayed by the iconic late-night host, only to discover that the manager is not who he seems to be.

Blending Music, Comedy, and the Spirit of Los Angeles

Capturing the Essence of LA

Goldsmith explains that the idea for the music video was to capture the "spirit of Los Angeles" without literally acting out the lyrics. The concept of a mysterious audition in front of a "crazed stranger" portrayed by Conan O'Brien seemed like the perfect way to achieve this. Goldsmith and his brother/bandmate Griffin Goldsmith wanted to poke fun at certain aspects of LA culture, while also acknowledging their own complicity in the "nonsense" that can sometimes be associated with the city.

A Comedic Collaboration

The collaboration between Goldsmith and O'Brien came about after the two met at the Newport Folk Festival, where they quickly became "fast friends." Goldsmith reached out to O'Brien to see if he'd be interested in participating in the music video, and the late-night host graciously jumped on board. Goldsmith describes O'Brien as "one of the kindest and THE absolute funniest person" he's ever met, making the experience all the more remarkable.

A Surreal Audition

The music video follows Goldsmith as he enters an abandoned building, searching for his audition spot. He then encounters O'Brien, who is sitting at a desk and eagerly welcomes him in. Thinking he's in the right place, Goldsmith begins performing and following O'Brien's strange instructions, which include dancing, playing the flute, and wearing a pink boa. As O'Brien starts filming him with a camcorder, Goldsmith becomes increasingly confused, but he ultimately finishes his performance.

A Surprising Twist

After asking O'Brien how he did, the late-night host simply responds, "I don't know. I'm not really a music guy. You should move on now. I got my film," leaving Goldsmith to realize that he was not actually at the intended audition location. This unexpected twist adds to the comedic nature of the video, showcasing Goldsmith's willingness to embrace the absurdity of the situation.

A Busy Time for Goldsmith

In addition to the release of the new music video, Goldsmith is also celebrating the arrival of his third child, daughter Louise "Lou" Everett, with his wife Mandy Moore. The musician shares that he'll likely be "at a park somewhere chasing our toddler boys in two different directions while Mom brings baby Lou up to speed" as the video is being released.Goldsmith and Dawes are also gearing up for a busy tour schedule to support their upcoming album, "Oh Brother," which is set to be released on October 11th. While Conan O'Brien won't be joining them on the road, Goldsmith jokingly offers to give his phone number to anyone who buys a ticket.The collaboration between Goldsmith and O'Brien in the "Mr. Los Angeles" music video showcases the musician's comedic chops and his ability to poke fun at the entertainment industry, all while maintaining a genuine connection with his fans and the city he calls home.