Behind the Camera: How Leighton ‘Tourette’s’ Clarke is changing the Hamilton music scene

Leighton Clarke is Hamilton’s premier music videographer; the go-to man for the job.

Leighton works to capture the essence of Hamilton’s nightlife and create a masterpiece for musicians to remember and promote. 

It sounds like a straightforward enough task, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

“Most people think it’s just about pointing the camera and shooting. But there’s so much more that goes into every shot.”

Leighton also suffers from Tourette’s syndrome, a psychiatric disorder which means he often can’t control what he says. 

For any other person, Tourette’s might have had an impact on their life and career. But for Leighton,  it has changed how he sees the world and gives him a reason to work harder every day. 

“It feels amazing, to know a guy with Tourette’s can go so far in an industry I only dreamed of being in.”

Leighton’s livelihood relies on his hallmark videos that he creates for the promoters and the musicians, and it is through these that Hamilton’s music scene is represented. The crowd, the music, the vibrancy, all presented in one neat two-minute video.

There is never any time to give Tourette’s a second of thought, something Leighton describes as a deeply challenging part of his life.

“For me, the biggest challenge was maintaining consistency and normality in my life and not letting my Tourette’s get the best of me.”

Leighton has created videos for some of the bigger acts to come to Hamilton such as homegrown Six60 and international drum ‘n’ bass icons Chase and Status. And the rest of the year looks just as bright.

“I’m thrilled to be filming some of the big musical acts coming to Hamilton and giving them something to show people around the world, to put Hamilton on the map.”

For many of the bars and nightclubs, Leighton’s portrayal of Hamilton nightlife is a saving grace; something that shows a different side of Hamilton to the one portrayed in the media. 

Leighton is also the official hired videographer for all events hospitality giant The Lawrenson Group puts on in Hamilton, a loyalty he says has allowed him to thrive in his industry. 

With significant clout on social media, and Facebook and Instagram pages growing, his work has already seen recognition abroad.

“After filming Stoketoberfest, I had another company contact me for filming overseas. I’m very excited to be able to go over to Europe again and film and represent Hamilton!

“I’m excited to be able to give musicians a piece of Hamilton to remember us by.”

He has already been enlisted as videographer for events in Auckland and Tauranga, including the videographer for House of Shem at the One Love festival. 

Leighton says he knows there’s never any time to slow down or stop, because there will always be someone else competing in Hamilton. 

“I’m so busy nowadays. There’s never time to take a break, because someone is always trying to out-do me.”

Leighton says it’s not about the destination, but the journey he’s taking and the friends he’s making.

“I was lucky to meet some influential people that threw me into the deep end of the music industry.”

Leighton also volunteers with the Tourette’s Association of New Zealanders, where he offers support to others with Tourette’s, and gives talks across New Zealand. 

“The future looks bright. I can’t wait to expand what we’re doing, letting me get to more people across New Zealand and help them understand Tourette’s and how it changes the lives of people.”