Another artist has entered the Coldplay copyright controversy fray today, with singer-songwriter, Andy J Gallagher, claiming that the band's "groundbreaking new video" bears striking similarities to one he made a year earlier.
Following allegations by several artists that Coldplay copied the 'Viva La Vida' melody, Gallagher has now raised questions as to whether the video for 'Strawberry Swing' is really as trailblazing as Coldplay have suggested, as it strongly resembles the video for his 2008 single, 'Something Else' (directed by Owen Trevor, produced by PTE Media).
The 'Something Else' video was the brainchild of freelance director, Owen Trevor, and features Gallagher flying superhero-like through the clouds, digging though a tunnel & fighting off attacks along the way. Trevor – who has worked extensively with the BBC's 'Top Gear' – also came up with the main concept of using human interaction with stop-motion chalk animation.
"While I can't say they copied me, there are an awful lot of similarities between my video and theirs," says Gallagher. "I think it's unfair that 'Strawberry Swing' will probably be nominated for numerous awards and is being universally-acclaimed as groundbreaking, when Owen Trevor had virtually the same idea at least a year before."
Coldplay's management have been contacted over the matter but have thus far made no statement.
Something Else video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvEuvtBBG0s
Strawberry Swing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYtk1Z0UUuE