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Earlier this year, Public Records, with the support of TELUS, awarded a series of $5,000 music video grants to teams of musicians and filmmakers. Out of the 28 grants that were awarded, two Kelowna bands earned funds to shoot videos for their songs. However, there were Kelowna connections to four of the awarded grants, as well as a set of winners in Vernon. The videos that were funded by the grants have now been released. They’re all high-quality, polished and entertaining music videos. Check out the local vids below...
Young Sparrows - “Wolfman” - Produced by Icepick Productions (Kelowna/West Kelowna, B.C.)
It’s fair to say this video packs a punch! Shot entirely in black and white, the video cuts from footage of Young Sparrows putting on a highly energetic performance, to scenes of the heavy rock/pop-punk band’s lead singer, Kevin Moore, preparing to do battle in a boxing ring. The video culminates in the conclusion of the fight, but I’m not going to tell you who wins! You’ll have to watch it for yourself...
Nuuka - “Desert” - Produced by Sam McLoughlin/Reveal Creative (Kelowna, B.C.)
Shot in Death Valley, the hottest and driest place on the North American continent, Nuuka’s video charts the story of the indie-rock band’s lead singer, Anthony Martens, as he treks his way through the eastern Californian desert in search of lost gold. The vintage themed video contains a series of clever flashbacks, as well as some breathtaking shots of the Death Valley landscape. Towards the end of the video, there’s a scene where Martens falls. Apparently, that is not staged, the fall is genuine! However, I shall say no more, watch the video below to see what happens…
Special mentions to Lauren Helena Hjalmarson, Anthony’s nephew, Ronan, and Nuuka’s Scott Nettleton for their appearances in the video.
beekeeper - “Oh hi!” - Produced by Brandon William Fletcher/Faked Potatoes (beekeeper are from Vancouver, but Fletcher is from Kelowna)
The music video for indie-rock trio beekeeper’s song is probably the most unusual (in a good way) of the five mentioned in this article. There’s a very surreal, almost dreamlike quality to the video. Large imitation heads, speech bubbles and other props juxtaposed with real world environments further enhance the dreamlike quality. In essence, the video centres around two guys who are both vying for the affection of one girl. The director, Brandon William Fletcher, makes an Alfred Hitchcock style cameo towards the end of the video, and his impact adds a real twist to the plot. If you’re wondering what I mean, give the video a watch below…
Van Damsel - “Communist” - Produced by Icepick Productions (Van Damsel are from Kamloops, but Icepick Productions is based in West Kelowna)
Have you ever wanted to see Trotsky and Stalin sit down at a table and share a drink together? Ever wondered whether Stalin would make a good bartender? You can satisfy both of those burning desires and more by watching Van Damsel’s music video, which sees the indie-rock quartet dress up as their favourite Communist leaders. The video features the guys imitating Che Guevara, Leon Trotsky, Fidel Castro and a vodka guzzling Joseph Stalin as they meet and go about their day-to-day lives. This is not to be missed…
Paperboy - “El Scorpiones” - Produced by Lee Watkins (Vernon, B.C.)
The video for Paperboy’s “El Scorpiones” is the darkest of the ones showcased in this article. To a certain extent, the indie-rock trio’s video shares some similarities with Young Sparrows’ “Wolfman” vid. The main similarity being that both videos feature a fight in a ring. However, instead of boxing, Paperboy’s video centres around Mexican wrestling. We never actually see the fight, but for the young Luchador, “El Scorpiones”, just getting to the ring to face the distinguished pro, Rattlesnake, is a fight in itself. Watch the video to find out more…
Paperboy are donating ALL of the proceeds from the sale of “El Scorpiones” to cancer research. You can buy the song HERE.
Do you want to contact Vince? E-mail him at: vincent@kelownanow.com or connect with him on Twitter, Google+ or LinkedIn. You can also catch Vince talking music on CBC Radio West as an on-air music columnist.
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