Heartbreaking Bravery

stevenmps2@gmail.com | @steven_mps | @hbreakbravery

Tag: Moving Panoramas

May 31, 2016

Watch This: Resuscitations, Pt. II

After a large handful of extended posts, Watch This will be back to its weekly schedule following this collection. Watch This has been an essential part of Heartbreaking Bravery since its first era as its very foundations are rooted in a philosophy that complements this space’s mission statement. They’re frequently ignored despite their astonishing level of artistry and are rarely featured in any meaningful way on any other forum. Live documentation is deeply important as it creates an immediate visual aid for a multifaceted chapter of history (and specifically the intersections that occur between venues/locations and artists).

Once again, 25 bands are featured in the below packet. Among these videos are performances that run the gamut from explosive covers (Meat Wave tackling Elliott Smith, Tacocat taking on Katy Perry), head-turning solo performances (Declan McKenna), confident experimentation (Operators, Fresh Snow, Blasteroid), and adrenaline-fueled thrill rides (Audacity, PWR BTTM, Mike Krol), among several other performance modes. Everything on display in this collection is worth studying, whether it’s the fillmmaking aspect or the performances themselves. There’s a lot to ingest so, as always, sit up straight, adjust the volume, get settled, and Watch This.

–

1. Audacity – Dirty Boy (BreakThruRadio)
2. PWR BTTM – Ugly Cherries (Radio K)
3. Meat Wave – Speed Trials (SideOneDummy)
4. Stephen Steinbrink – Absent Mind (Little Elephant)
5. Moving Panoramas – Radar (BreakThruRadio)
6. David Bazan – Both Hands (KEXP)
7. The Zolas – Swooner (Light Organ)
8. Chris Bathgate – Nicosia (Radio K)
9. Hype – Last Man On Earth (DZ Records)
10. Operators – Space Needle (WFUV)
11. DIIE – Miracles & Magic Are Real (Radio K)
12. The So So Glos – Dancing Industry (Little Elephant)
13. Declan McKenna – Brazil (Conan)
14. Fresh Snow – Your Thirst For Magic Has Been Quenched By Death! (Exclaim!)
15. Mike Krol – This Is The News (KINK)
16. Tacocat – Roar (The AV Club)
17. The Kills – Tape Song (KCRW)
18. Guerilla Toss – Eraser Stargazer Forever (BreakThruRadio)
19. Blasteroid – Triple D (VHS Sessions)
20. GoGoPenguin – Branches Break (WFUV)
21. Saintseneca – How Many Blankets Are In The World (WXPN)
22. Murder By Death – Foxglove (Paste)
23. Nada Surf – Friend Hospital (World Cafe)
24. Furnsss – Roll With It (VHS Sessions)
25. Lee Fields – Don’t Leave Me This Way (KDHX)

1 Comment
May 13, 2016

Color TV – Anybody’s Girl (Music Video)

color tv

Now that the past month or so has been all but brought up to speed, it’s time to re-adjust the attention to the releases that have been surfacing in the more present release cycle. This post will focus on the music videos that have managed to impress over the past few days, while ensuing posts will tackle some of the excellent songs and full releases to have emerged in that time. Color TV, a new act out of Los Angeles, gets the feature here but it’s also worth noting that a handful of other acts released impressive works as well, among them: Sick Sad World, Frigs, Littlefoot, Moving Panoramas, Snow Roller, Susan, Little Wings, The Blank Tapes, Mrs. Magician, Young Mister, Chastity, and Karen Meat and the Computer.

All of those videos linked above are more than worthy of attention but it was the retro-styled clip for “Anybody’s Girl” that grabbed the feature spot. Utilizing a green screen effect to lightly comedic proportions, the clip’s galvanized by the commitment of Tipper Newton (the guitarist/vocalist and principal songwriter of Color TV) in an energized performance. The song itself is a sharp blast of powerpop, anchored by Newton’s convictions and scathing vocal delivery.

Both the clip (directed by Newton) and the song take a lot of inspiration from the alternative movements of the ’80s and ’90s and execute those cues with an exuberant glee. It’s an extremely charming clip that touches on relationship dynamics in unexpectedly amusing ways. Newton’s forthright with her message and the clip actually benefits from the directness, affording it some extra room for some pointed moments.

With just one screen and some light effects, Newton (and Color TV) have come charging in without warning. “Anybody’s Girl” is an exciting burst of powerpop, ushering in a promising new voice. In just two and a half minutes, Color TV create a winsome identity that’s as self-aware as it is hopeful. Perfect as a soundtrack for warm weather hangs or late night parties, it’s nothing short of a small triumph. The same can be said of the song’s colorful video, which underscores the band’s DIY ethos with a welcome dash of subtlety.

Color TV’s only made two of their songs public but they’ll be a name to watch and they’ll almost certainly be highlighted on this site again.

Watch “Anybody’s Girl” below and pick up the digital single from the band here.

1 Comment