Flying the flag for independent musicians worldwide are Bongo Boy Records and their TV series which features recently released music videos by up-and-coming artists. The show is now in its twelfth season and we will be having a look at the talent on display in the season’s first episode, All About You.
Up first is STUDEO and their video for bluesy rocker, Rain Down on Me. The video appears to be a warning about the implications of A.I and shows neuroscientists hard at work mapping out the human brain as well as some fishy activity on the part of some masked computer hackers. The lyrics seem to accept the inevitability of our fate in the face of this new technology, be it good or bad, with the refrain carrying a sort-of ‘bring-it-on’ attitude.
Chaotic dive-bar scenes are interspersed with shots of Monique Brown and her band performing their track, Wishing You The Best. The song is a heavy blues stomp that serves as a big middle finger to the singer’s no-good ex-lover. The cutaway shots to the bar help paint the picture a little more clearly, as we see the character in question staggering around, drunk on top-shelf, trying to cause trouble with anyone he can.
Tremble conjure up a beautiful ambient soundscape in their alt-pop track, What is Anything. The singer’s breathy vocal ruminates on the big philosophical question that is consciousness, while playful synthesizer lines pan around the stereo field. The music video sees the band drift through various city scenes in a heady fashion, echoing the abstract, ethereal nature of the music.
Next up is Jeremie Albino and his video for Hard Time. The song oozes with swagger and strikes a nice balance between country and R&B flavors. The music video features the song’s protagonist stuck working in a garage, swimming in bills, and waiting for someone to come along and free him from the hard times that he finds himself in. As the song goes on, he appears to be freed by the catchy melody of the song, dancing and singing his way around the workshop.
Director Rob Fitzgerald takes an artful approach to the video for Val Emmich’s track, Worry. The camera remains in a fixed position and delivers a series of short shots of Emmich changing position in front of a painted brick wall. This rapid succession of shots, with some of them featuring the destruction of a toy piano, helps to mirror the anxious, frenetic tone of the lyric.
Truxton Mile serve up a delicious country rocker with California In My Mind. The video shows the band landing on the West coast, hanging out with friends, and performing the song in various California landscapes. It’s a feel-good song and the video perfectly captures everything beautiful about the state for which the track was written.
Up last is Down the Lees and their video for the angsty, hard-rock number, Heart. The video uses lighting to cinematic effect, creating a moody atmosphere as the three-piece perform the song from start to finish in front of an empty theater. Heavy strobing parallels the dynamic changes between the verse and chorus, and we catch glimpses of the band’s passionate expressions between the darkness.
Bongo Boy TV continues to impress in their season 12 opener with their ever-changing roster of talented indie artists. New artists interested in being featured in an upcoming episode should submit to submit@bongoboyrecords.com for consideration.
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BELOW: Watch Bongo Boy TV Season 12 Episode 1, and connect with their website and social media platforms. As always, thank you for supporting real music!
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