NYS Music 202​2

Tag: Music Video

  • Moon Walker Releases Confrontational New Single and Video “The Price of Life Itself”

    Brooklyn-based alt-rock artist Moon Walker has released his newest single, “The Price of Life Itself,” off of his upcoming sophomore album, The Attack Of Mirrors, set for release on October 21, 2022.

    Moon Walker Sophomore Album Cover
    Photo credit: Madison McConnell

    With reverberated vocals, electric guitar, and gritty lyrics, the new track sheds light on injustices in American society. Moon Walker, also known as Harry Springer, wrote the track in the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 after seeing first-hand the militarized response to a peaceful protest.

    Moon Walker shares that the track is one of his most proud moments lyrically. The music video, directed by returning Madison McConnell, conveys an uneasy sense of reality to its viewers, channeling the themes of Alice in Wonderland.  Taking place in a house covered in ivy, with warm outfits, hazy lighting, and a fish-eye lens, the music video combines groove and defiance into one. 

    It was a moment where I really realized how much my sense of safety, freedom and protection was a facade. Our country’s institutions are all so deeply broken and flawed, that not only do none of them actually accomplish what they set out to, they likely have the opposite effect. The entire ethos of the song can be summarized in one of the final lyrics: ‘We can stay above the water, while still lending a hand to those who sink.’ That is the price of life itself.

    – Moon Walker

    Harry Springer coined Moon Walker at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, passing the time by selling songs to various sound libraries. All of his music is composed, produced, and performed in his bedroom, but the sound is fit for much more than that. 

    Moon Walker photoshoot for new album
    Photo Credit: Madison McConnell

    After sudden success on the viral video-making app Tik Tok, Moon Walker’s first seven-track album, Truth to Power, rose to light. Artists such as Justin Hawkins praised Moon Walker for his work, and he is back with his sophomore effort on The Attack of Mirrors out early this fall.

    The second album from Moon Walker will see a more maximalist, experimental approach than compared to his previous work. With powerful, thought-provoking lyrics and a unique sound, the new album is sure to have success.

  • Pop-punk Baby Got Back Talk Release Single and Video for “Model Minority”

    New York City-based pop-punk band Baby Got Back Talk debuted their latest single and music video for “Model Minority” off their upcoming Wiretap Records debut EP, Existential Shred, due out in September.

    The band was originally formed in 2017, consisting of G’Ra Asim (vocals/bass), Rhiana Hernandez (keyboard), and Jake Lazaroff (guitar/vocals).  After years of sharing bills with acts like Choked Up, Universe Ignore Her, and Gibbons, Wes Ruiz (drums) was eventually brought into the band’s fold.

    Baby Got Back Talk likens this new single to Keri Hilson’s “Pretty Girl Rock,” – where “Model Minority” is a rallying cry for queer people and people of color. The accompanying music video directed by Carla Troconis is a homage to My Chemical Romance’s “I’m Not Okay (I Promise) with a more modern twist. The band also teamed up with producer John Naclerio and Nada Recording Studios for their latest EP.

    We’re what punk looks like in the 2020s: driven by a DIY ethic, conversant with social issues–especially as they pertain to gender and race, enabled by inter-web, bankrolled by day jobs, powered by a rad like-minded community, resonant with the most venerable iterations of rock ‘n’ roll but firmly committed to injecting some new flavor into the mold.

    – Baby Got Back Talk

    Previously named one of AfroPunk’s Top 8 Punkest Bands on the Planet, some of the band’s performances include the AfroPunk Festival in 2019 and Punk Island the year before. Their full-length album, Genre Reveal Party, was mixed by Paul Leavitt who has worked with All Time Low, Senses Fail, and Yellowcard in the past.

    To keep up with the band, you can find them on socials @babygotbacktalk across platforms and at babygotbacktalk.com.

  • Monotronic Release New Single “In Between”

    New York band Monotronic release new single, “In Between”, on May 27. Monotronic is the brainchild of musician/producer Ramsey Elkholy. “In Between” was recorded in Costa Rica during the pandemic.

    Monotronic

    Monotronic defines itself as not just a band but “a music collective that defies genre”. Their punchy brand of electronic music features bouncy synths, energetic vocals, and approachable lyrics.

    “My friend Dan Freeman has a studio in Nosara, which is on the coast and surrounded by lush jungles,” Elkholy explained. “It’s kind of a hippy place, lots of yoga going on, organic food, ayahuasca retreats. Very simple location, close to nature, which inspired a lot of creativity.

    When Elkholy returned to New York he began working on the lyrics. Once they were complete he collaborated with vocalist Russell Graham to record the vocals for the track. Elkholy, Freeman, and engineer Killian Cruiser played and recorded all the instrumental parts on the track, which Cruiser mixed and produced.

    Monotronic released its debut album in 2019, which it then followed up with the notable singles “Kids of Summer” and “Buy Yourself a Dream”. Both of which debuted at #1 on VEVO’s Incoming Indie playlist.

    There are currently plans for an upcoming music video for “In Between”.

  • Sam Kogon Releases Music Video for “Barbed Wire”

    Singer-songwriter Sam Kogon released a music video for his single “Barbed Wire” today. The track is the first single from his upcoming EP “Sam Kogon” releasing on April 1.

    Sam Kogon

    The music video for “Barbed Wire” was shot in Kingston at Kogon’s family’s pawn shop, “Sam’s Swap Shot.” In the video, a middle-aged man see’s a guitar on sale at the pawn shop that reminds him of fond memories from his youth. The video then alternates between a current and past timeline as the guitar causes the main character to reminisce.

    My grandpa Lonnie gave me my first guitar from the store, so naturally I wanted the story to focus around a guitar, in this case it’s a 1963 Danelectro Convertible that came from Sam’s. The guitar represents lost love, regret, but also a fresh start.

    Sam Kogon

    Director Jeff Mertz said the decision to shoot in Kogon’s pawn shop was intentional and part of the narrative he wanted to tell with “Barbed Wire”.

    The shop itself was also charged with nostalgia,” Mertz said. “So the story kind of naturally evolved into being about an older Sam Kogon (played by Lou, Sam’s dad) who’s reflecting on missed opportunities and regret, but is ultimately given a second chance, which he proudly takes.”

    To add another personal touch to the video Kogon’s father plays the music video’s main character. Who is supposed to be a semi-fictional version of Kogon (the songwriter) himself.

  • Long Island’s Card Reader team up with Interstate Music for new music video “Reminder”

    Long Island Pop Punk band Card Reader have released a new music video called Reminder. The music video consists of Card Reader experiencing the city in their most enjoyable way and contains some footage from their first show performed at the Caribou Room back on Sept 23rd, 2021.

    The band is carrying into the new year with some momentum from last year. Card Reader participated in the championship of the Interstate Music Awards in 2021. From there on, Interstate Music made card reader an official brand ambassador.

    Pop Punk Band Card Reader

    Tom Petito, Card Reader’s guitarist/vocalist weighed in on the Interstate Music artist experience:

    This video is a reflection of Interstate Music’s commitment to helping artists like us. We played our concert right before the shoot. The next day their film crew took us all over MKE. We really enjoyed ourselves in the process. The folks at IM introduced us to an incredible music scene. They fully embraced our band and made us feel at home. Thanks to Interstate Music we are a band with more tools, more confidence and unlimited optimism moving forward. We can proudly say we have two home bases now! Long Island AND Milwaukee.

    Interstate Music directed and produced the video in Milwaukee, WI. Along with their new music video, the Pop Punk Band are going a weekend Northeastern Tour next month, and here are the dates:

    3/4 – Ram’s American Pub – Holbrook NY

    3/5 – The Mosh Pit – Philadelphia PA

    3/6 – The Church – Lebanon PA

    To catch more of Card Reader, you can find their music on DSP’s such as Apple Music , Spotify, Amazon music, and more.