by Meredith Schneider | Jul 6, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Los Angeles-based alt-indie trio The Habits – comprised of Wolf Bradley, Chance Famighetti, and Andrew Macatrao – has been attracting a pretty solid fanbase since just last year, when they released their debut single “Feeling It”. Their new track – “Calling Me Up” – is just as catchy and beautiful as its predecessors, and we have the exclusive premiere of its accompanying music video, which just so happens to be their first ever as well.
Clear, precise visuals. This video encapsulates the trio’s live performances tactics, while allowing them to partake in a short film-like storyline, singing to a romantic interest over the phone. Relatable, intense emotions are thrown into a bubbly soundscape, making the true hurt delivered in the song a little less painful. The guys make sure to throw in a little humor toward the end, and now we kind of want to get sushi with them.
Explains the band:
We wanted our first music video to be simple and reminiscent of the types of videos we grew up on. It was inevitable the video would end in heart break, but the back and forth was all improvised. I’ve never had so much fun singing into a phone hanging from the ceiling or getting rejected on camera. Honestly, at some point it’s a little much to keep calling and singing to the same person. Get the hint.
Keep up with The Habits here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 6, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Recently, alternative indie rock collective Arms Akimbo – expertly comprised of Colin Boppell, Chris Kalil, Peter Schrupp, and Matt Sutton – released their 6 track EP The Wrong Kind of Dance Party. From the leisurely, pleasantly upbeat soundscape, to the relatable lyrics, we’re surprised by how much we’re captivated by their sound. It’s like the audio manifestation of summertime, and the best part is that there is now a music video for their track “Velleity” to enjoy as well.
“Velleity” feels like summertime as well, though it’s a little more melancholic in its representation. Waking up after the party makes for a slightly sluggish day, filled with recuperation and true discovery of what happened the night previous. The guys of Arms Akimbo perfectly act the sluggishness out, between frames of them performing the song, petting a dog, playing Jenga, and more.Directed by Christopher Kalil and Will Houlihan, it’s definitely an enjoyable visual, bright and fun while casual and relaxing.
Keep up with Arms Akimbo here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 3, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Brooklyn-based alt-dance/pop duo Glassio – comprised of Sam R. and Charles Pinel – recently unleashed the music video for their latest single “New York, New York II” unto the world, and we’re floored by how visually attractive it is. Hard angles, color blocks, insane contract, a technical yet natural flow to how everything fits together. A projector plays video of New Yorkers singing pieces of the track on the streets of the phenomenal city that they live in. The striking visuals match the lyrical content for impressiveness, and there’s a cool as a cucumber vibe emanating from it all that makes “New York, New York II” perfect as the backdrop to your next summer party.
Keep up with Glassio here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 2, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Nashville-based rock outfit Creamer – led by brainchild/soloist Philip Creamer – has really been making the rounds in the short time they’ve been making music. Though he is a veteran in the music industry itself, he’s really been enhancing the Nashville music scene, especially since his North American tour spot opening for Wilco.
Creamer’s new video for “Drugs No More” is the perfect way to experience the band’s life performance tactics, though in an enhanced kaleidoscope way that ran rampant in decades passed. The mid-tempo tune is absolutely invigorating to enjoy solo, but the video adds that visual aspect that really puts you in a relaxing mood, the message of the song just as nurturing as Creamer croons, “I don’t believe in drugs no more.” The song is solace for people suffering from the effects of substance abuse in some aspect of life, whether it’s a personal struggle or as an observer. It’s an important conversation to have, delivered in a vivid, stimulating way.
Keep up with Creamer here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 22, 2018 | 5 to 7, premieres, videos
Arthur King is a unique music and art collective, creating landscape art that enriches the senses. Last summer, they took a trip to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah to create a visual experience unlike any other. During that trip, they created a short film that is as breathtaking in its detail as it is simple and endearing in its concept. With music by Arthur King, projection art by John Schlue, filming by Nash Howe, audio recording by Tim Conrad Horner, and editing by Alex Lee Moyer, the project came together quite nicely and is something we wouldn’t mind having on repeat for the rest of the day.
Not only do we have the exclusive premiere of the project, but we got the chance to take a few moments with Peter Walker, the driving force and visionary behind Arthur King.
What is your first musical memory, or the first album or song you remember listening to? Does that memory or that music have any bearing on your art now?
Drawing with chalk on my older brother’s Sergeant Pepper vinyl album. Eventually I evolved into recording said Beatles records onto cassette tapes. Today, I love manipulating instruments and sounds to make something perhaps unintended from the original design.
We understand the concept of the project, but what inspired it?
This project was born out of my pursuing a Ph.D. in mythology and depth psychology. The premise is exploring the role of the unconscious in creative expression, and more specifically how we experience a given environment both consciously and unconsciously, and how art might bridge that gap.
What made you choose the locations for the video?
We were focusing on BLM land (bureau of land management) where you can camp and do other things without any heavy regulation or government jurisdiction. There’s a lot of BLM land in Utah, as well as magnificent rock formations and somewhat pristine environments.
The visuals aspect of it all is very endearing. How long did the visuals process take?
The visual component has been a part of this project from the very beginning, with the idea that the sound informs the visuals and the visuals inform the sound, creating a feedback loop and an overall experience involving both realms.
Could you take us through the process of all of this in general? It’s such a unique way to display an array of creativity, and we’re enamored by it!
The idea is fairly simple: 1) Locate an environment. 2) Engage it, consciously—meaning explore it and listen and look and record these things with microphones and video cameras. 3) Take these samples and use them in a total improvisational “performance” within the same environment. the result is akin to what happens when we dream, where sounds and images from our waking consciousness are thrown into the stew of our psyche and come out in an unexpected way, often bringing to light connections you didn’t know were there all along. In the end, the performance allows for a different way of experiencing the environment.
Any fun anecdotes from the production process?
During the performance there was a little scorpion that was crawling next to Tim, who was sitting on the ground and operating a recording device. Tim put an empty plastic box on top of it, thinking that would temporarily solve the problem and allow him to focus on his task at hand. He would of course release it afterwards… and avoid getting stung. But when we were finished, the scorpion was gone and he realized it had probably dug its way out in a matter of seconds. all part of the fun of being in the desert!
What do you think is the most important topic to address with art, at least at this point in our progression as a society? Is there a topic that you think is misrepresented or under-represented by its art?
I think art is a tool for connecting with ourselves and with others. Most importantly, in my opinion, effective art connects us with the unknown in ourselves and the “shared unknown” in others (or as Jungians might put it the collective unconscious). Art is a connector. Fear of the unknown drives the worst in us as a species, and its omnipresent in our society today. I’d imagine there is no topic under-represented right now, it’s more likely a matter of accessing the art that might be an issue. Or maybe better put: I’m certain there are artists making vital art that are not getting the kind of exposure that is just. and that’s where you come in!
How do you hope people feel after viewing this?
Moved. Curious. There’s really no hope for a specific feeling, I suppose I hope it invokes some feelings at all, whatever they may be.
Something off the cuff a bit… What superhero do you identify the most with?
Might seem like an easy answer…but I don’t think there’s anyone more badass right now than wonder woman!?
Smart, smart man. Anything else you’d like to add about the project or anything else coming up?
In between these Changing Landscapes adventures we’ve been busy with other fun things like live improv movie scoring and large-scale interactive art installations… So i encourage those who might be interested to please come find us!
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Changing Landscapes is available now.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 15, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Electro/hip hop act mokroïé – created by Francesco Virgilio in collaboration with singer Carol Aplogan – is at it again with the music video for their track “Put Your Hands in The Dirt”. We’ve got the exclusive premiere of said video, and we’re pretty excited about it.
In case you’re wondering, yes, the video is centered around visuals of hands. As intricate social commentary plays over a nostalgic, 80s, synth-tinged track, we see hands doing an array of different things, the video bringing to the forefront how important our hands are for every day actions.
Observe the glory of human hands – and the silly things we do with them every day – in this new video, and vibe out to a really fun song that just might make its way onto your next playlist!
Keep up with mokroïé here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 13, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Indie pop/punk music project Holy Pinto is bringing a bevy of fun, beautiful music our way this summer, but first we’ve got the music video for their track “Gold Leaf” here for you to enjoy. Comprised entirely of video clips from tour, a really fun narration brings you along for a more intricate and specific ride in the form of subtitles, so there’s no guessing what is happening. It’s the perfect depiction of an imperfect journey, and we’re all for it.
Keep up with Holy Pinto here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 8, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Self-proclaimed “electroexotica” duo Stronger Sex – comprised of Johnny Fantastic and Leah Gage – is bringing their vivid personalities to the world in an exciting new visual for single “Dead Women”, Directed and Edited by Mark Williams Hoelscher. At the center of the experience is a stuffed monkey, and other versions of what look to be childhood toys. But it’s what happens with those toys that will really put you into a tailspin. (Could they come alive, a la Toy Story? Is it OK to think they’re still cute and not creepy?) The main focus, however, is the protagonist, who is depicted experiencing the emotional turmoil that aligns with the lyrics in the song. Confirms Leah Gage of the track:
“Dead Women” is a song about feeling the weight of a legacy of important matriarchs, and the pressure to live up to their expectations. My mom and my grandmother were both extremely smart (and troubled) women who placed a lot of emphasis on prestige and renown, and expected me to achieve both, almost on their behalf. Since they’ve both died, I struggle a lot with knowing whether I’ll ever live up to their expectations. I used to keep their photos all over my room, as a kind of inspiration, but after a while I realized it was just making me anxious and sad, and I needed to figure things out for myself. So, this video is inspired by that idea. There’s a girl, who lives in a fantasy world with her “friends” who are clearly all toys, and she lives with an overbearing woman who wants her to get rid of her friends and join reality. Eventually, the woman goes behind the girl’s back, throws the friends in the trash, and goes back to her life. The girl is utterly distraught, but eventually uses her anger and frustration to channel herself out of the house, and she runs away, with her friends. Both the woman and the girl are flawed – these aren’t of course her friends, they’re toys. And the woman, well, she probably has her reasons for wanting the girl to join reality, even if she’s going about it in a mean way.
This video brings light to a struggle many women face, and we are pleased to host the exclusive premiere.
Keep up with Stronger Sex via Bandcamp and Facebook.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 8, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
With a slight pixelated – yet ethereal – feel to it all, Los Angeles-based alternative act XYLØ released her latest music video for “Heaven Only Knows” this month. With cat eyes and a mysterious glow, she sings seductively over simple, gorgeous instrumentals that will have you wanting to waft into a summertime haze for hours. We’re completely jazzed about the ambiance created by this track, and now it’s time for you to feel that way too.
Keep up with XYLØ here.
