Heartbreaking Bravery

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Tag: Music Video

December 26, 2013

Yuck – Somewhere (Music Video)

Despite only being a few years into their run, Yuck have already stared down their fair share of difficulties. Most notably, one of the band’s frontmen (Daniel Blumberg) left prior to the recording of their highly-anticipated sophomore record to focus on his Hebronix project. With that important departure, many had some very serious doubts about what that sophomore effort would sound like. Then, when Glow and Behold finally arrived, it lit off one of the more impassioned firestorms of opinion battles 2013 had to offer.

Now that all the dust has finally settled, admirers and detractors alike both seem to agree on one thing; Glow and Behold, at the very least, is an important transitional record. That transition is underscored very gracefully with the band’s black-and-white clip for “Somewhere”, a poppy shoegaze slow-burner off that last record. The vast majority of “Somewhere” takes place inside an airport, never featuring any of the band’s members, just shadowy unidentifiable figures. Towards the end, the terminal is abandoned for the sky as the plane leaves the stability of solid ground behind. It’s all very understated, managing to draw obvious parallels without coming across as too on-the-nose. A very enjoyable way to spend six minutes.

Watch “Somewhere” below.

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December 13, 2013

Majical Cloudz – Savage (Music Video)

2013 was a standout year for a lot of things, inventive lyric videos among them. From Neko Case to Okkervil River to Vampire Weekend, there were a plethora of extraordinary examples of the format. This week has already seen Tokyo Police Club step up to the plate and absolutely crush it. Adding to the unlikely string of successes this year comes an extraordinarily beautiful from Majical Cloudz, who are responsible for one of the year’s most stunning albums.

One of Impersonator‘s biggest strengths is that it always came across as so fucking personal. There were more than a few moments on that record that felt as if frontman Devon Walsh was allowing uninhibited voyeurism into his entire being. Songs like “Childhood’s End”, “This is Magic”, and, especially, “Bugs Don’t Buzz” were the kind of bare-all exercises that had the impact to freeze virtually anyone that was lucky enough to be listening; they were allowed in.

“Savage”, which has been making the rounds for a month or so now, didn’t wind up on Impersonator but carries the same emotional resonance as the best songs on that record. Today the band unveiled a lyric video in keeping with their stark bare-bones aesthetic. All that’s featured in the video for “Savage” is an unnamed person (presumably Walsh, who also directed the video) scrawling the lyrics to the song out by hand as they happen. There’s no way to accurately predict just how this band’s penchant for tight-roping the line between ferocity and understatement is going to affect any potential listeners but as long as they keep doing it this successfully (in both songs and music videos), they’ll be a band worth following.

Watch the video for “Savage” below.

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December 11, 2013

Tokyo Police Club – Argentina (Parts I, II, & III) (Music Video)

Tokyo Police Club have had one of the more intriguing career paths of the mid-00’s buzz bands. After falling into the trap of releasing an incredible EP and then buckling under the pressure when it came to a follow-up, they’ve been making strange choices. Today, they’ve unveiled a simplistic lyric video for Argentina (Parts I, II, & III) that finds the band sounding better than they have since A Lesson in Crime.

Their edge from that EP is suddenly present again, only this time the pop sensibilities they’ve acquired and honed in the post-EP wake have manifested themselves into that edge. The end result is something genuinely stunning and could point to their upcoming LP being one of 2014’s biggest system shocks. There’s an expert blend of post-punk, powerpop, and indie rock on display here. All of it sounds unconventional, forward-thinking, and strangely new. It’s damn near perfect.

Listen to “Argentina (Parts I, II, & III) below.

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December 9, 2013

Saintseneca – Visions (Music Video)

One of the very first bands that this site covered was All Dogs, who have a member that also does time in Saintseneca. In 2014 Saintseneca will be releasing a record via Anti-, who the band recently signed with. Their lead-up campaign to the April release of this record has a lot of people salivating in anticipation. Their most recent entry in this campaign is a music video for “Visions”, a previously released song that also acted as a B-side to their “Uppercutter” 7″.

In the new clip, courtesy of the Zenga’s, the song’s set to a stunning home movie compilation that’s somewhat reminiscent of the recent nostalgic pangs Okkervil River’s been using as a focal point. “Visions”, despite its humble aesthetics, does offer some genuinely stunning imagery that somehow manages to fairly balance implicit and explicit thematics. Light, violence, and escape are all involved. While the pace is set at a dizzying clip, the music manages to both ground and heighten the visuals.

“Visions” acts as a welcome reminder, an improbable showcase for both the band and the directing team, and somehow manages to be more memorable than it has any right to be. Saintseneca’s clearly a band on the rise and, from the decisions they’ve been making lately (as well as Anti-‘s interest), it would be stunning if they weren’t coming up in year-end discussions and lists at this time next year.

Watch the video over at Stereogum, who premiered it.

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December 8, 2013

Watch This: Vol. 3

Watch This was made a little bit easier this week, thanks to two music videos that also qualified as live performance. Those two videos, Vaadat Charigim’s “Kezef Al Hamayim” and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ “Higgs Boson Blues”, stood out as two of the best videos of the year. They weren’t the only live videos worth seeing this week, though. Razorcake, ever-dependable in its coverage, once again manages to crack this list and there’s another full set to round out the live videos. This week’s band you should already know is a Heartbreaking Bravery favorite and acts as a welcome first. Watch all five videos below.

1. METZ (3voor12 Session)

Anyone that has experienced METZ live knows what’s coming here; absolute frenzy. Earlier this year the band lit up the Krannert Arts Center in in Urbana, Illinois. Their energy during that performance, as a part of the Pygmalion music festival, isn’t a lightning-in-a-bottle type occurrence. Over the years 3voor12 have quietly and consistently posted fascinating sets, whether they be solo acoustic elevator endeavors or the full-throated exhilaration available for viewing below.


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2. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Higgs Boson Blues

All that can be said about this has already been said on this site.


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3. Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band – You Can Count on Me Tonight (Live at VLHS)

Nato Coles is an institution. Every band he’s been in from Modern Machines to Radio Faces to Used Kids to Nato Coles & the Blue Diamond Band has been outstanding. All played up a blue-collar classic rock sensibility. None have stressed it as much as his current act. Razorcake was on hand to film the band play a song on tour at the legendary VLHS venue. “You Can Count on Me Tonight” comes from one of the year’s most overlooked releases, Promises to Deliver, and the band’s not to be missed live.


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4. Vaadat Charigim – Kezef Al Hamayim

All that can be said about this video has already been said on this site, pt. 2.


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5. Technicolor Teeth – Station Wagon

Here’s some footage courtesy of Heartbreaking Bravery. Consider this the first indication that this site will offer live video content from time to time. Technicolor Teeth have grown a lot since their earliest days. However, “Station Wagon”, the very first song the band ever wrote, remains its finest moment. They’re a band that’s very much on the rise and it’d be surprising if their name didn’t start picking up even more circulation next year. This footage was taken from a semi-secret early show the band played with Shallows and Big Eyes. Enjoy.

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December 6, 2013

Angel Olsen – Forgiven/Forgotten (Official Music Video)

Yesterday Angel Olsen continued a growing trend; the artist released a music video for “Forgiven/Forgotten” despite having already done so. While the first version was striking for its simplicity, this new version utilizes a muted color palette, simplistic special effects, and a retro feel to conjure up something completely new. “Forgiven/Forgotten” on its own still comes laced with more aggression than most would’ve expected from a primarily indie-folk artist. Now, the song matched with this visual aesthetic, Olsen presents herself as a single unit wrecking crew.

When “Forgiven/Forgotten” was circulating its first video, it was enough to get people excited about February’s Burn Your Fire for No Witness. With the additional video providing some potential context for Olsen’s vision this time around, it’s even easier to push the release up any “most-anticipated” lists. A two month wait has suddenly turned from manageable to excruciating. If Burn Your Fire For No Witness comes armed with this much clarity, precision, and outright force, 2014 may have an early Album of the Year contender on its hands.

Until the final reveal of the record, all that anyone can do is guess at what’s to come. “Forgiven/Forgotten” has already proved that’s a near impossibility. The John Congleton-produced Burn Your Fire for No Witness will be released stateside as a CD/LP on February 18 by Jagjaguwar. Pre-orders are currently available at both Jagjaguwar and iTunes. Watch the most recent clip for “Forgiven/Forgotten” below.

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December 5, 2013

Vaadat Charigim – Kezef Al Hamayim (Music Video)

The World Is Well Lost has become a record impossible to shake; its implications run deeper than anticipated. Essentially a commentary on a variety of social issues currently facing Vaadat Charigim’s native Tel Aviv, the meanings behind the songs have faced major obstacles in breaking through a language barrier. However, the music on its own has remained impossibly affecting. Everything on The World Is Well Lost adds up to an incredible cohesive piece of art; the sum sometimes seeming far greater than its parts. That’s not to say those parts are unimpressive, a few of the songs taken as individuals are year-end candidates. One of them, “Kezef Al Hamayim”, now has a music video to accompany it.

“Kezef Al Hamayim” follows “Odisea” and comes about a month in advance of The World Is Well Lost‘s impending vinyl release. Vaadat Charigim sticks with the hazy glow they incorporated into the video for “Odisea”, only this time they turn the cameras on themselves. “Kezef Al Hamayim” is essentially nothing more than the band playing inside of a house but the way it’s lensed adds a sense of deep unease that plays into the song well. There’s little light to be found and the attention’s placed as much on the band as the song, which is a stunner. There are moments scattered across The World Is Well Lost that manage a stunning combination of post-punk, shoegaze, and powerpop. “Kezef Al Hamayim” is certainly one of them.

While the release may not be picking up the attention it deserves, despite the best efforts of both Burger Records and the band themselves, there’s no reason that can’t change. It hopefully will after the record receives a January vinyl release, because this is one of 2013’s best moments. Boundaries and barriers become less important when music operates on the level it does on The World Is Well Lost. The fact that a lot of people haven’t picked up on this band yet makes the record’s title frighteningly apt. Those that have (like FILTER, who premiered the video), won’t cease in their coverage until people have this band in their life. They’re that good.

The World Is Well Lost is available on cassette from Burger and the video for “Kezef Al Hamayim” is below.



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November 30, 2013

Allison Weiss – Wait for Me (Music Video)

Bright Eyes’ “First Day of My Life” music video featured several personal reactions to people simply hearing the song. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks’ recent “Lariat” video featured an individual reaction to the song, while the central subject translated the lyrics to french. This week, Allisson Weiss unveiled a video that comes across as a bittersweet marriage of those two videos.

“Wait for Me” is alternately heartwarming and heartbreaking, as font comes up to detail the current state of one woman’s life (Josee, she’s very French) as she listens to the Allsson Weiss song on a pair of headphones. Instead of playing this concept up for winks or for romance, director Trevor Bowman winds up with something approaching voyeurism. As the song progresses, Josee’s heavily relatable difficulties are explained in detail. She had a daughter at a very young age, raised her with her fiancée Jean-François (see? Very French) and is now moving away from them both to pursue an education. She’s missing her daughter’s birthday for the first time in the process.

Weiss’ music has always been identifiable but seeing it filtered through Josee’s barely-contained emotional reactions, the extent of that empathetic potential is driven home more fiercely than ever. Increasing the impact is the decision to turn “Wait for Me” into a two-shot video. In the first shot, we’re introduced to Josee and the concept of the video and in the second, the concept plays out. “Wait for Me” itself is a lovely acoustic number that’s aided well by a tasteful orchestral section, which somehow only amplifies Josee’s reactions.

Now that the holiday season has officially begun, “Wait for Me” resonates particularly strongly. Everything comes together in a perfect storm of sentiment and the end results are unbelievably affecting. While it’s unlikely that “Wait for Me” will get to experience the kind of circulation that “First Day of My Life”, Cake’s “Short Skirt/Long Jacket”, or even “Lariat”, those that are fortunate enough to see this will have something to hold on to for a very long time. Watch it below.

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November 29, 2013

Popstrangers – Rats in the Palm Trees (Music Video)

Popstrangers’ Antipodes was the first record since Technicolor Teeth’s Teenage Pagans to perfectly blend shoegaze with aggressive post-punk. Antipodes was also one of the first truly great records of 2013, strongly recalling labelmates Cloud Nothings’ Attack On Memory in tone, scope, and production. With a breakthrough record on their plate, it would’ve been understandable for the band to settle down and continue to play up the record for all its intrinsic worth. Instead, the band’s opting for the hyper-production route and has now revealed both an A and B side for a non-album single.

“Fortuna” was a serviceable B-side that showcased the band’s dream-punk underpinnings.  The A-side, “Rats in the Palm Trees” is a different beast entirely. On “Rats” the band settles back into their deepest strength; melody. “Rats in the Palm Trees” boasts a catchy chorus, several memorable moments of guitar work, some controlled frenetic drumming, and a driving bass line. It’s one of their best and suggests a long future. To accompany the song’s aesthetic the band released a music video earlier this week. In the clip, the band mostly incorporates low-grade footage of themselves playing their instruments and exploring London, where they recently relocated to.

Moving looks to be a smart move for the band as their tendencies and London’s play very well into each other. There’s a certain sense of minor foreboding, small-scale industrialism, and an endless amount of opportunity. It’s easy to see them finding comfort in their new home, the video already seems to suggest they’re in the midst of a contented transition. Watch it all below.

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November 26, 2013

Benny the Jet Rodriguez – Run. (Music Video)

Home. Run cover art

There was a time when it seemed like every other music video that an “alternative” band released was just the group of misfits responsible for the song having a blast with each other. While that branch of filmmaking certainly isn’t dead, its numbers have dwindled considerably. This is the very reason why whenever that kind of video surfaces now, the carefree nature stands out more than ever. Both The National (“Graceless”) and Swearin’ (“Dust in the Gold Sack”) used the aesthetic to craft two of the year’s most memorable videos. Basement poppers Benny the Jet Rodriguez exude that kind of slapdash nonsense with an infectious glee. They took their name from a character in The Sandlot, their music often resembles The Replacements on a particularly good night of drunken debauchery, and their music video for “Run.” features them playing baseball with firecrackers. Firecrackers. It’s all done tastefully and the sheer amount of joy manages to bleed through.  This is the best kind of pick-me-up. Both the video and the band are well worth returning to. You can buy Home. Run from No Idea and watch the video below.

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