Music Video

Speaking of favorite songs of the 80’s, country music super group, The Highwaymen, put out my favorite song in 1985. The song “Highwayman” fueled my pre-pubescent career fantasies. I thought I’d for sure be either a sailor, starship pilot, or a dam builder.  None of those came true, unless I missed a verse where Kris Kristofferson says, “I sit in a cubicle for 10 hours everyday, then at night I write a blog.”

This song remains one of my top 5 favorite songs of all time and this live video is freaking amazing. I’m so jealous of everyone in that crowd.

The Highwaymen - Highwayman

You may remember our review of Hacienda’s debut album Loud Is The Night during Dan Auerbach week.  Well, I was greeted by an email today from Alive Records letting us know that they just released their first video for “She’s Got a Hold On Me.” There’s a diverse collection of facial hair.

Hacienda - She’s Got A Hold On Me

We dropped the ball in getting a review out for The Avett Brothers wonderful EP The Second Gleam. In a musical landscape where I can’t wrap my head around the noise that manages to get critically lauded, it is absolutely fantastic that The Avett Brothers are getting their proper due by playing stunning music time and time again.

In addition to the stellar song “Bella Donna,” “Murder In The City” is also fantastic..Aw hell, all 6 of the tunes are amazing. Its like asking me to name my favorite jellybean flavor. I love em all. Catch the brothers Avett at the CBGB Festival in Chicago on November 22nd.

Cincinnati was probably jealous that we mentioned Columbus yesterday. To even the score, here’s the new video released by Cinci’s Buffalo Killers for “Let It Ride.”

Here’s another track from Let It Ride:

Buffalo Killers - If I Get Myself Anywhere

I guess if you reference the food chain, Fleet Foxes are higher up than goats, so it should come as no surprise that the band shows no signs of fear when approached by a herd of them (or is it a pack of goats? I know it’s not a school of goats). I personally have a mild goat phobia. Always avoided them in petting zoos. I most certainly would not go head to head with one while playing the piano.

The Fleet Foxes tame the wild beasts with impeccable harmonies on “He Doesn’t Know Why.”

I’d love to hear the brainstorming session that birthed the video concept. “Let’s just sit in a room and play the song naturally,” one band member says. “Yeah, then we’ll let like 50 wild goats loose in the same room man,” says a slightly more stoned band member. The end result is below.

Fleet Foxes - He Doesn’t Know Why

Fleet Foxes - “He Doesn’t Know Why” Video

Port O’Brien is the hardest working band in America. It seems like every day they release a new video or cover song, all while touring relentlessly, playing festivals, and chatting it up with bloggers.

They just released a new video for “Stuck On A Boat” that I once described like this:

Van’s soft vocals ease into the tune, accompanied by an electric guitar as he sings of the isolation he feels on the ocean, kept away from the woman he loves. The sound grows bigger and stronger with the lines “My feet weren’t made for the sea/ They were made for running free/Don’t make much sense to me/ To be stuck on a boat at sea.” Stringed arrangements and a building power in his vocals evoke a growing desperation, teetering on madness.

How have none of POB’s songs not been featured on The Deadliest Catch?

Port O’Brien - Stuck On A Boat

I’ve been obsessed with Dr. Dog’s song “The Ark” since the release of their latest album, Fate. The video is not exactly what I was expecting, given all the biblical references in the track. There’s an element of gore, so take caution if you aren’t into the sight of blood dripping from a singing severed head.

I’m really hoping they can pull of this singing head trick on stage at the Treasure Island Music Festival on Sunday.

Do NOT try this at home.

Dr. Dog - The Ark

Langhorne Slim just released a video for “Restless,” one of my favorite tracks from his self-titled album. He’s sporting huge wood.

Here’s the album version and our live studio version of the song:

Langhorne Slim - Restless

Langhorne Slim - Restless (from the HearYa Live Session)

I reviewed Sam Chamption’s Heavenly Bender back in June. Since then, it’s done nothing but get better and better. In anticipation of the September release, they have been putting out these short videos on YouTube. I have watched the first two of the four part series and have been left scratching my head. These guys are clowns (I mean that as the highest compliment) and I’m pretty sure I want to be pals with them.

Heavenly Bender is available on Amie Street for $3.00 for a limited time.  You’re crazy not to take that offer.

Sam Champion - Be Mine Everyone

Here’s the weird video series:

Part I

Part II