If anyone has watched a lot of local music videos in 2014, it's your old pals at the Cream. There have been some genuinely impressive, top-tier local clips this year. After the jump you'll find my 26 favorite Nashvillian music videos of 2014. Unlike our annual
Top Local Albums Critics' Poll, this list wasn't constructed based on the votes of carefully selected local music writers. And unlike
our 10 most-read Cream posts of 2014, the list isn't based on cold, hard numbers. It's just a list of my favorites, presented in chronological order. Did I overlook any of your favorites? Have a look at the good stuff after the jump, and let me know what I left out.
Tristen, “Catalyst”
The video for Tristen’s “Catalyst,” to quote fellow Creamster Stephen Trageser, “focuses on an affair at the kind of big weekend party you'll be familiar with if you're a fan of Downton Abbey, Gosford Park or other programs in which the upper crust is not on its best behavior.” It was put together by Seth Pomeroy and Michael Carter.
Korby Lenker, “Forbidden Fruit”
Local restaurateur and food-TV celeb Arnold Myint and his fabulous female alter ego, Suzy Wong, pop up in Korby Linker’s video for “Forbidden Fruit,” which features Myint making the transformation from mild-mannered Top Chef contestant to dazzling diva. The video was shot in popular local haunt Santa's Pub.
Wild Cub, “Thunder Clatter”
Hip local electro-pop road warriors Wild Cub had a big year, thanks in part to the video for their single “Thunder Clatter,” which at press time has gained nearly 1 million views on YouTube. The Drew Bourdet-directed clip features footage of good-looking local youngsters having a good time, plus some vignettes of high school drama. Very cinematic.
Thelma and the Sleaze, “High Class Woman”
A sleazy, lascivious dose of Southern-styled, sludgy, creeping blues rock courtesy of locals Thelma and the Sleaze, the Seth Graves-directed video for "High Class Woman” was shot in Memphis, partially at least in front of the Paris Adult Theater (interior shots were filmed at The East Room here in Nashville). The video features the Sleazesters as a trio of ultra-violent criminals, armed to the teeth and out for blood.
Diarrhea Planet, “Babyhead”
In their Robin Comisar-directed video for “Babyhead,” party punkers Diarrhea Planet moonlight in old home-movie footage as beautiful, bouncing baby boys. Mildly creepy, consistently funny and totally in keeping with the longstanding pop-punk tradition of silly music videos.
Cage the Elephant, “Take It or Leave It”
Partially Nashville-based pop rockers Cage the Elephant time travel and coast on feel-good ’70s roller-disco vibes in their Isaac Rentz-directed video for "Take It or Leave It,” which features a cameo from star of stage and screen Juliette Lewis. So it Lewis’ star power or the tune’s slinky vibes that got the video north of 1 million views on YouTube?
Pony Boy, “The Devil in Me”
West Coast transplant Marchelle Bradanini goes by the name of Pony Boy, and her Travis Nicholson-directed video for “The Devil in Me” features popular local Richie Kirkpatrick (of RI¢HIE) and former local Chris Crofton (of the Cream's Advice King column), along with a number of Music City locales, Robert's Western World and Ernest Tubb's ballin' Green Hornet tour bus among them. Plus, drama!
Sturgill Simpson, “Turtles All the Way Down”
Sturgill Simpson’s Metamodern Sounds in Country Music — which landed at No. 1 in our annual Top Local Albums Critics’ Poll — is an undeniable game-changer, thanks in no small part to the Graham Uhelski-directed video for Metamodern lead-off track “Turtles All the Way Down.” The clip’s visuals were created by Scott Draves and the Electric Sheep — “a form of raw synthetic consciousness communicated between sleeping computers,” explains the video description. Far out.
The Black Keys, “Weight of Love”
In arena rockers
The Black Keys' video for "Fever"from this year's Turn Blue, frontman Dan Auerbach portrayed a fervent televangelist, barking fire-and-brimstone at a sea of devout minions. For the album’s seven-minute ballad "Weight of Love,” the Keys and director Theo Wenner (son of Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner) pick up where "Fever" left off. Fair warning: some of the women in the video (supermodel Lara Stone being among them) are topless. It's a beautifully shot video.
The Whigs, “Hit Me”
The Whigs’ Scott Carney-directed video for the tune "Hit Me" is an homage to the BBC's '70s/'80s music program The Old Grey Whistle Test, with The Whigs donning slick polyester threads, silly grins and one
wig. Goofy stuff, good for a chuckle.
Nikki Lane, “Right Time”
In her video for “Right Time,” Nikki Lane plays a bat-wielding, GTO-driving, motorcycle-torching vigilante, out for vengeance against any dirtbag who crosses one of her lady pals. The video also features fellow songsters Shelly Colvin, Cory Chisel and Robert Ellis, among others.
Denney and the Jets, “Bye Bye Queenie”
In Stonesy rock ‘n’ rollers Denney and the Jets’ Josh Shearon-directed video for "Bye Bye Queenie," Birdcloud’s Makenzie Green plays a chain-smoking, booze-guzzling, ass-flashing, presumably foul-mouthed young lady in a halter top (that is to say, she kinda-sorta just plays herself).
PUJOL, “Circles”
Directed by Stewart Copeland — no, not that Stewart Copeland, even though this Stewart Copeland did indeed once play drums for PUJOL — PUJOL’s “Circles” video features the disembodied head of Daniel Pujol as it spins, hovers and interacts with things like Silly String and boxing gloves and lizard people. As far as giving one of the best songs from one of the best records of 2014 a perfectly suiting visual treatment, this one takes the cake for me.
Jack White, “Lazaretto”
Shot by French directors Jonas and Francois, the black-and-white video for Jack White’s titular Lazaretto tune features shots of White shredding and spitting while wearing a far-out suit, a bull raging, a sick whip doing doughnuts and more. Worth noting: “Would You Fight for My Love” is also a very sharp-looking clip.
Hard Working Americans, “Blackland Farmer”
Directed by Andy Tennille, the video for Hardworking Americans’ cover of Frankie Miller’s “Blackland Farmer” features a farmer (presumably a hardworking American one) who falls on hard times and resorts to growing an illicit (in most states) substance. This guy is the Walter White of weed. The Escobar of herb. The George Jung of ganja.
Spanish Gold, “Day Drinkin’”
Frank Weysos’ video for the Spanish Gold tune "Day Drinkin’" follows an unnamed, booze-swilling, butt-smoking, car-stealing clown — can we call him Bobo? — as he makes his way through a depressing day with one little ray of hope at the end of it.
Rio, “Faders”
The concept for local rapper Rio’s Cakemaster-directed “Faders” video is simple enough: Rio has a rendezvous with a fellow babe (portrayed by Minnie Morklithavong), and the two just generally look dope in dope-looking locations. Eye candy for everyone, some good hip-hop to go with it. Everyone wins.
The Apache Relay, “Katie Queen of Tennessee”
This one already took
the prize for “Best Music Video” in our Best of Nashville issue— The Apache Relay’s “Katie Queen of Tennessee” was directed by Hayley Young and features 40 dancers (age 7 to 18) from Nashville Dance Center performing a choreographed routine in a fancy old barn owned by Vince Gill and Amy Grant. What’s not to love?
Hammock, “Sinking Inside Yourself”
Local post-rockers Hammock only make gorgeous videos. Director David Altobelli’s extraordinarily cinematic treatment for “Sinking Inside Yourself” — which centers on themes of loss and longing — is absolutely no exception.
Self, “Runaway”
The Ballard C. Boyd-directed clip for Self’s "Runaway" features a clowder of cats (yes, "clowder" is the actual, technical term for a big group of cats) doing things like cavorting and lounging and "playing drums" and walking in most glamorous fashion. It is glorious.
Here is a GIF.
Mystery Twins, “Ghost”
Mystery Twins’ suitably spooky and ethereal black-and-white clip for “Ghost” was directed by the Twins' own Doug Lehmann, with art direction by local clothier Leslie Stephens. The long camera exposures make for a perfectly haunting effect. Spooky stuff.
The Wans, “Never Win”
Adopted Nashvillian rock 'n' roll power trio The Wans' video for "Never Win" is more or less a visual adaptation of the song's title and theme. Directed and edited by Jason Denton and Steve Voss, the clip follows Irish-native band members Simon Kerr, Mark Petaccia and Thomas Bragg through what appears to be an exceptionally shitty day, full of malfunctioning chairs, sunburns and karate-chopping youths.
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How I Became the Bomb, “Ulay Oh”
For their video for “Ulay Oh,” local party-pop outfit How I Became the Bomb repurposed
this spectacular clip of renowned performance artist Marina Abramović reuniting with fellow artist and former significant other Frank Uwe Laysiepen (stage name Ulay). Definitely tugs at the old heartstrings — whether that’s because of Abramović’s story, the song or some combination of both.
Linear Downfall, “Bloodhead”
For their “Bloodhead” video, psych-prog jammers Linear Downfall permitted themselves to be blasted with mace, attempting to play through the pain after the fact. Funny? Insane? Either way, it makes for just about the most novel local-video concept of the year. You can’t look away.
Mikky Ekko, “Smile”
The clip for Mikky Ekko’s “Smile” follows Ekko and his special lady friend in reverse chronological order through a pleasant, lazy day, with some ominous shots of the aftermath of a train-related car accident interspersed along the way. "Time will eventually knock on my door," sings Ekko, "and tell me I'm not needed around anymore." Foreboding! How will it end? Will Mikky and his gal make it?! Directed by Sarah Chatfield.
