Tim Rogers Carries The Burden Of Depression In New Shane Nicholson Clip

Aussie music icon Tim Rogers brings a familiar face to the burden of living with depression in a new clip, for recent single Weight Of The World, from acclaimed local country troubadour Shane Nicholson.

The track is the third single to come from Nicholson's ARIA-winning album Hell Breaks Loose, and was actually a last-minute addition to the record's track list, ultimately changing his previous well-laid plans for the set-up of the release.

"It kind of changed how the record opened, and the tone of the album … it wasn't going to open in that fashion," Nicholson told the Country Music Channel in a recent interview. "But I liked the almost positive-sounding nature of that song; considering it's a song about living with depression… I dressed it up in a pretty bow, so it's not a sad song, and I kind of liked the idea of opening the record with that."

In a separate statement, Nicholson elaborates on the reasons for taking on mental health as a lyrical conceit, explaining: "Living with depression and anxiety is something that's starting to be talked about, but needs to be discussed a lot more.

"We need to open up not only about how depression affects the person suffering from it, but also everyone around them because they suffer enormously too. I'm hopeful that this song and video will help increase awareness and shine a light on these conditions — which are really just like any physical illness."

In the clip, Rogers steps into the shoes of Nicholson's alter-ego, a family man quite literally carrying the world with him wherever he goes, whether on public transport, at the office and even at the dinner table. It's a beautifully put-together clip, with moments of genuine affectation such as when it depicts Rogers' character eating Arnott's Shapes from a bowl as if they were cereal — sure, it seems humorous, but anyone who has been shadowed by the black dog in their life knows that it's also a little too real for comfort — or when the camera lingers on a shot of his fridge, adorned with pictures drawn by his child that depict a sad, burdened man with the label, "My Dad".

He does a magnificent job of it, too, despite apparently not really knowing what he was in for when he signed up to the clip.

"I was initially aroused by the invitation thinking I was to be Shane's love interest; however, to be his far less attractive alter-ego is no less of a joy," Rogers said of his role in a statement. "He's a sweetheart with a healthy sense of the ridiculous. Which I admire greatly. Crown him."

Check out the clip below.

Shane Nicholson has a bunch of shows lined up in the near future, including a spot at next month's Urban Country Music Festival in Brisbane. Following that show, he'll be appearing in Traralgon and Meeniyan in May, as well as the Gympie Music Muster in August. See the man's website for ticketing details.