Heartbreaking Bravery

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Tag: Rob Dobson

June 30, 2015

Big Air – Barking Dogs (Music Video Premiere)

big air

While the lion’s share of attention for new music video releases will (deservedly) go to Kendrick Lamar’s earth-stopping video for “Alright“, videos worth your attention are still creeping in around the corners. “Alright” will be written about and praised on nearly every major musical platform, which is both a blessing and a curse. It’s artistry is undeniable but it can also make it hard for other worthy new releases to gain even a shred of attention.

One of those new clips that deserves a brighter spotlight comes courtesy of site favorites Big Air, who graciously allowed this site to premiere “Cemetery With A View” back when this place was still in fledgling mode. Now, the recently-relocated band is allowing another premiere, this time for their “Barking Dogs” music video. One of many highlights from the band’s exhilarating debut EP, Buds, the track itself is a succinct demonstration of what Big Air do best: craft hook-heavy basement pop that clothes itself in basement punk trappings.

The video separates itself from other similar clips with one crucial distinction: it was never intended to be the official music video. Created by a group of kids as a part of a summer film camp project, it conveys the group’s passion and enthusiasm for the project with a startling effortlessness. A DIY ethos permeates every facet of the clip, including its central narrative: a group of kids quite literally forming their own band, right down to their duct-taped cardboard instruments. The performances are all committed and the whole thing, understandably, carries a very youthful energy. Escapism is rarely this joyous.

Watch “Barking Dogs” below and keep an eye on this site for more updates on the band and their forthcoming releases.

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January 14, 2014

Big Air – Cemetery With A View (Song Premiere)

Buds

There are times a band just clicks. First it clicks with itself and then it clicks with its audience. Big Air are one of those bands. It’s hard not to be floored by just how good this band is directly out of the gate. While both guitarist/vocalist Rob Dobson and drummer Greg Sloan have already put in a fair amount of time on former like-minded projects, it’s hard to predict chemistry. From the sounds of things, incompatibility was never an issue; the two play off each other as well as any duo going today. They’re only a few weeks away from self-releasing an outstanding debut cassette entitled Buds (that’s the official album art up above), an extraordinary seven-song achievement. Big Air were gracious enough to allow Heartbreaking Bravery the premiere of that collection’s lead-off track, “Cemetery With A View”. The song itself  is a hard-charging blast of whip-smart lyrics and off-kilter indie punk that teems with powerpop sensibilities, a la current-era Superchunk (and classic-era Guided by Voices).

From the squalls of feedback that open it to the propulsive riffing throughout, there’s no shortage of the kind of vibrant energy that allows people to feel truly alive. It’s a great indicator of both Big Air’s sound and of Buds‘ overall tone. Unsurprisingly, the band’s already finding themselves in great company; their next few shows will be alongside acts like Grass Is Green, Speedy Ortiz, Drowners, Nude Beach, and The Men. Big Air’s clearly not fucking around and Buds is one of the first must-purchase prospects of 2014.

Keep up with the band on their facebook, twitter, and tumblr because Buds will be available for purchase on February 4th and those sites will likely be the most direct method of purchase. Stream “Cemetery With A View” below and see what all the fuss is about.

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