Category Archives: Audio-Visuals

Anything focused on Audio-Visual elements… YouTube, etc.

Upward Bound :: Cameron Elise Releases ‘Home To The Hounds’ In Memory Of Merlin Luck

Even in our times of glory, tragedy can strike.  It is on us to determine how we accept these tragedies, how we process them, and how we move forward.  Cameron Elise, currently in the process of recording songs for an upcoming project, took a moment to commemorate the recent passing of San Marcos-based bluesman Merlin Luck via Home to the Hounds, a somber ode to making sure you leave as strong an impact as you can before you move on.  The song not only serves as a tribute to a man who left it all on the stage every time he played, but as a reminder to the rest of us to do the same while he have the opportunity to.

-chief

Upward Momentum :: Fort Never Drops ‘Fly High’ Video

Alejandro Jodorowsky would be proud of Fort Never.  The group, known for their deeply emotive and thought-provoking music, decided to take on the monumental task of making the music video for Fly High an homage to the cult classic The Holy Mountain,  and I’m here to tell you that they did it justice.  The track is moving, with its heavy percussion, chanting and soul-stirring sitar work, all wonderfully supporting Chantell Moody‘s lyrics about learning to let go of the steering wheel and let fate be the pilot.  For a band with such a small video catalog at the moment, the strides they are making from video to video are making that catalog quite the formidable one.  Definitely a video of the year contender.  Props to Fort Never and Travis Hoggard, director of the video, for their stellar work.

-chief

Shared Fortune :: Cameron Elise Releases ‘Afortunada’ Single

I remember seeing Cameron Elise several years ago at an impromptu house jam.  There were maybe 8 or 9 musicians of different skill and discipline levels around, and everyone was floating in-between ideas.  For the moments that Cameron took the lead, however, ideas seemed to evolve into movements and folks seemed on the same page.  In a more abstract way, I feel we are seeing that same process coalesce with her recorded material.  What was once raw talent and passion captured on recordings is evolving into focused ideas and execution with the proper amount of flourish to bolster those ideas.  If Afortunada is any indication of what her next full-length release will bring, I am definitely interested.

-chief

Moving Ahead :: Wild Child Continues To Gain Momentum With ‘Follow Me’ Video

When I break down the numbers for 2018, I won’t be surprised if Wild Child is all over the analytics for my website.  The band has been seriously blazing themselves a trail towards success this year with the release of a new album, a nationwide tour, and a seemingly continuous onslaught of music video output.  Their latest, Follow Me, is a somber but moving tune, with an equally low-key yet on the nose video to match.  If you aren’t already hip to Wild Child, you’re running out of time to say you were a fan before they blew up, because it seems inevitable at this point.

-chief

Stage Life :: Voodoo Boogaloo And Stevens High School Theater Combine Forces For ‘The Portal’

San Antonio-based psychadelic duo Voodoo Boogaloo are definitely anything but traditional or run of the mill.  Their spacious, infectious music is only matched by their magnetic and loving personalities, leading to their circle of creative friends being vast and diverse.  For one of their more well-known songs, The Portal, the Stevens High School Theater company went above and beyond to provide them with a video… the group created an entire performance piece, including costuming and lighting, that perfectly encompasses the otherworldly, spiritual and mysterious nature of Voodoo Boogaloo.  This is definitely the type of music video that makes me jealous with how proud I am of the final product.  Most certainly worthy of your shares, likes and comments.

-chief

Friendly Competition :: Other Entries From The San Marcos Cinema Club’s ’72-Hour Film Race’

Taking part in the 72-Hour Film Race, presented by the San Marcos Cinema Club, and being a part of a team that placed second, was a true honor.  Being connected to so many talented filmmakers and personalities was an equal honor.  Here are a few of the other entries that I managed to find on YouTube, including the contest winner How Art Makes You Feel

-chief

Texas Folklore :: Rock Bottom String Band Stops By KTSW 89.9 For Studio C Sessions

Rock Bottom String Band not only entertains, they inform.  Recently, they stopped by KTSW 89.9‘s Studio C Sessions to perform La Llorona, a song dedicated to the lore of the ‘Weeping Ghost’ (or ‘Weeping Woman’).  I would go into more detail about the story, but Tara does it much better than I can.  If you’re not already hip to Studio C Sessions, you should definitely follow the YouTube channel for constant nonstop good tunes.

-chief

Riding Waves :: Dr. Bobby Banner, MPC Prescribes Us A Dosage Of ‘SYN’

Austin-based beatsmith and musician Dr. Bobby Banner, MPC (a major portion of the Ndelible Ink collective) has just laced us with something special in the form of SYN.  The song, and its accompanying video, are a wonderful mix of hypnotic instrumentation, mesmerizing fractals and fun with a beautiful free spirit.  The music video plays more like an abstract piece of art, taking you on an emotional set of stimuli that is visually and audibly pleasing.  Banner and the crew have been known to drop quality work, but this in particular stands out as something special.. a bright diamond in a pile of diamonds, if you will.  Definitely keep your eyes and ears out for more from the crew, give the video a like/share/comment, and keep supporting that Texas dopeness.

-chief

Dream Teams :: ‘The Perpendicular’, San Marcos Cinema Club And The 72-Hour Film Race

The San Marcos Cinema Club is quickly becoming one of the better fixtures in the town of San MarcosTexas.  The group holds a number of events and festival directly designed to promote and foster creative filmmakers in the city, as well as bring fans of film together to appreciate these creatives.  One of their recent events, the 72-Hour Film Race, recently took place.  I got together with a handful of friends and collaborators, we were given a set of prompts (sci-fi, barber scene, ‘EL RITO LIBERDADO DEL AGUA’, mural incorporation and a bonus location via a riddle), and we embarked upon the journey that resulted in The Perpendicular.  For something made in just under three days, I’d say we did pretty well… the judges thought so too, as we came in second place.  Check it out, share it, leave a like or a comment, and keep your eyes open for more fun from the San Marcos Cinema Club.

-chief

Animated Action :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice Drops ‘Gut Feeling’ Video

We gotta keep folks guessing when it comes to the creativity.  I’ve been dropping the DoomFace art for years now, and I’ve been trying to figure out ways to progress things.  With the creation of DOOMonFILM, it seemed like an opportunity to do something new, and that is where the idea of the talking DoomFace originated.  Rather than sit on the idea forever, I wanted to see how it looked, and with no music video output for This Town Has Turned To Dust on the slate, it was time to do some quick thinking.  The result was the weirdo masterpiece you see above you, and it will hopefully be the start of a bigger YouTube presence that is unique from the legions of creators already out there.  If you dig the video, give it a like, share and a comment, and throw a subscribe in there while you’re at it.  Every little bit helps.

-chief