Cole Seely On His Role In Sublime With Rome Music Video

INSTAGRAM | @coleseely
INSTAGRAM | @sublimewithrome

Editor Note: We’re aware the video isn’t playable on our page, due to a restriction set by the band/record label. You can click the link in the player, which will take you to the YouTube page. It’s worth the very little effort…

Last week reggae rock/ska punk band Sublime With Rome released the full music video for their latest single, Light On, which stars Cole Seely and his girlfriend Danielle as the main characters. The crossover of motocross and music was an unexpected thing to some, but the backstory of how the Team Honda HRC rider and the band came together puts everything into perspective. We stopped by the second day of the production, which took place at bass player Eric Wilson’s San Diego County property and discussed the collaboration with Seely while the crew set up the shots of the band playing on a patio.

It should come as no surprise that Troy Lee had a hand in the project. As a big fan of reggae rock and close friend to multiple musicians of the genre, the famed motorsports artist has a tie to Sublime With Rome’s manager, Mike “Cheez” Brown. When the band mentioned that they wanted to have an action sport element to their video, Cheez and Lee put the group in touch with Seely. “The Friday before the Denver Supercross Tyler Keefe, Dave Casella, and Cheese who is the manager for Sublime with Rome got together and connected the dots through an email chain,” explained Seely at the shoot. “They wanted to use a moto guy because of how much we travel, how much we train, and how much we really are never at home. It all made sense and it’s right up our alley because it’s the life that I’ve lived for the last ten years (laughs). I said yes right away and they came to the test track and shot some clips of me riding. They wanted to involve my girlfriend Danielle in everything, so it all was a natural and easy process.”

The riding clips used in the video are a mix of footage shot at the Honda Supercross track in Corona and race footage from rounds of the Monster Energy Supercross Series, all of which was edited together well and shows a small glimpse of what the life of a racer can be like. “The shoot at the test track was easy and they wanted to be a fly on the wall. I’ve had film people say that to me before and when they get there, they ask me to hit turns or something a few more times,” noted Seely of past video projects that he has been a part of. “I was at the track with Christian Craig and Cameron McAdoo, and we all had a scheduled program for the day. I told the crew, ‘This is what I have for the day, but if you want to shoot stuff after, let me know.’ They told us that they just wanted to shoot around us while we pounded out laps and I never had to do anything extra. It was an easy day (Laughs).”

The lyrics of the song can apply to anyone that spends ample time of their lives away from loved ones, which is the case for racers and team members, and the video tells that story. “Once you hear the song, you can easily reflect on what we go through each weekend and even what my girlfriend goes through when I take off, while she stays home to take care of chores and the dogs,” explained the racer. “Since we got the notice that we were going to be a part of this, I’ve probably heard this song 40 times (Laughs). But it’s a really good song and as soon as I heard it, I could tell that will be a hit. The lyrics are catchy and the vibes are cool. I have always loved music and have played guitar since I was 10 years old, so I can appreciate it and am excited to be a part of the project.”

Although this is the first time Seely has been part of a professional video production and his role wasn’t much different than his normal life, it could be a possible career path when racing comes to an end. Some of Seely’s close friends have transitioned to stunt roles in the Hollywood film industry and it’s an occupation the current top-10 level rider has considered. “I’d love to do that. When I retire, I’m not going to be able to sit on the couch for too long. Even in the offseason when I have three weeks off, I think about how I can occupy my time and spend it wisely,” he shared. “I’d love to get into the stunt stuff because of the adrenaline rush and it translates with what I do now. To get paid to do what I like would be fun for sure.”

We didn’t ask the possible career question with intent to transition to retirement, but Seely brought up that his crash in 2018 put the idea into his mind. “Last year when I had my injury, I really considered retirement and that made me realize it’s closer than I think. I never thought about having to cross that bridge until last year when it was kind of an option for me,” he openly acknowledged. “It was a cool thing because it made me less afraid of it and more open to the idea. I never really thought about it. I don’t want to be a guy that does nothing after I quit riding. As stressful as racing can be with training and travel, it all goes away as soon as I get on the bike.”