Matt Pond enlists Kate Walsh for video shoot
When artists craft an album, they often seek not just musical excellence, but a deeper sense of life. Ahead of the release of Permanent Change Part 1 on October 9th, Matt Pond PA shared a piece of that philosophy with the track “Learn How To Lose,” accompanied by a captivating video starring actress Kate Walsh.
The song itself is a miniature meditation on the passage of time and personal priorities. It began as a basement demo sent upstairs to his wife and co-songwriter Anya Marina, who brought back revisions that helped Pond discover what he terms “the celebration inside all my regrets.” Sonically, the track draws from a steady diet of Elliott Smith and Steely Dan, yet its core perspective is grounded in the realization that aging shifts focus away from chasing fame or wealth toward simply making something worthwhile.
This reflective mood permeates the accompanying visual narrative. The video, directed by Scott Coffey and shot by Chase Pierson at Utopia Studios in Bearsville, N.Y.—the very place where much of Permanent Change Part 1 was recorded—captures this existential feeling. It explores the strange universality of constantly auditioning for a role, a relationship, or an idealized version of oneself, before ultimately advocating for letting that performance go entirely.
Kate Walsh stars in the video alongside the children of Pond’s longtime friend Mike, who played guitar in Pond’s earliest bands. Her collaboration felt like a natural extension of her deep affection for Matt and Anya’s music. Walsh has previously worked with them on projects like “No More Tragedies,” filmed while she was living in Australia. This time, the group was able to shoot together in person at Utopia, bringing a unique intimacy to the creative process.
“Learn How To Lose” serves as another window into the emotional landscape Pond is exploring across the entire album. He describes the record as an “endless, fading summer afternoon.” Ultimately, the music and visual story of Permanent Change Part 1 is about embracing imperfection, looking back on mistakes with pride, and finding a moment where you stop measuring up. It encourages listeners to simply be grateful for whatever happens.
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