99 Dollar Music Videos - A world premiere music video every week, made for 99 bucks

U Say USA

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:58:20 EDT

Some good friends of ours just made a great 99 dollar music video out by the jersey shore. The up and comers in the brooklyn music scene spent some gas money to get down to the beach and....well, thats about it. watch and enjoy!

Uffie "Pop The Glock"

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:33:02 EDT

just ran across this Uffie video and thought it was bloggable. I especially like the girl on the fitness bike with the golfer. The whole thing reminds me of awilliamsburg brooklyn party in los angeles.

New 99 dollar music video season 2

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:08:03 EDT

For the past 3 months we here at 99 have been pairing together some of the most talented and coolest artists and directors we could find. And after months of hard work the videos are finally rolling in. Wanna get in on the action ? We're always lookin for emerging bands and new directors. Got a reel or music video you made on the fly? Submit it to us and we'll think about airing it. But this week, sit back and dive into the sounds of Keelay and the visuals of animator Ben Ross and let us know what yout think by leaving some comments.

NYC’s 1st Music Video Film Festival + Band Battle

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:24:20 EDT

Something different today? A bit quieter than normal on other Tuesdays perhaps? You’re probably noticing our lack of interview or behind the scenes show today. But hey, don’t frown! This week, $99 Music Videos is heading to NYC’s 1st Music Video Film Festival + Band Battle tomorrow night at Public Assembly in Williamsburg.

If you aren’t in the area, stay tuned, don’t turn that dial, don’t touch that mouse clicker, yada yada, videos will be back!

But if you’re in NYC, then you should absolutely head on over tomorrow night! There are performances from $99mv band Lowry as well as $99 music videos like Junk by Project Jenny Project Jan, Directed by Kathleen Grace, that will be shown as part of the film festival. See you there!

Rebuild the Georgia Theatre

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:14:28 EDT

While normally I'd talk a wee bit about the band that we're featuring this week, these guys have a little more going than a short spotlight. While one statement might not be revelational, the second one is.

Venice is Sinking recorded and is ready to release their third album.
This third album was recorded in the Georgia Theatre, which was gutted by fire this June.

Originally an old cinema house, the Georgia Theatre was converted to and has been kept in various uses and conditions. Big names have played there, BIG BIG names. The first right off the bat was Pylon and then that big one is followed up with the massive Nirvana, R.E.M. and Widespread Panic. And just like people, bad things do happen to good venues. That's why Venice is Sinking would like to give back to the place that they recorded their third album. They're shooting for $3,000 and to the moon as all profits will go to rebuilding efforts. Not to mention, woo! Venice is Sinking on vinyl!

Using a very cool site called Kickstarter, the band is asking for fans of their music and Georgia Theatre alike to pitch in for the costs involved in pressing their third album. Depending on how much you give, you get various kickbacks like CDs, vinyl and hey, lawnservice!

So head on over to their kickstarter site, throw them some bones and help restore an important Athen's landmark.

If you'd like to read more about the restoration process, the owner, Wilmot Greene, is keeping a blog.

And if you'd like to follow along with Venice is Sinking online, here be the links:

On Twitter- http://twitter.com/veniceissinking
On MySpace-http://www.myspace.com/veniceissinking
Their Website- http://www.veniceissinking.net/
The Kickstarter Page - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/veniceissinking/help-us-press-our-third-album

Photo by Ian Darken

True Player for Reel

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:53:35 EDT

One of my favorite twitterers, Weird Al, contributed his accordian skills to nerdcore rapper and $99 Music Video favorite MC Lars. The track, True Player for Real, features simple sock puppets and a myriad of hand drawn backgrounds. Peep below...

Never Too Late

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:32:09 EDT

The folks at the MTV Video Music Awards have decided to honor the best music videos that didn't receive a moonman when they were originally nominated. It's quite a fantastic list of oldies but goodies and most of the music videos have aged REALLY well.

Beastie Boys - New Music - More Music Videos

Music videos include:

Beastie Boys- Sabotage
Bjork- Human Behaviour
David Lee Roth- California Girls
Dr. Dre- Nuthin’ Bit A ‘G’ Thang
Foo Fighters- Everlong
George MIchael- Freedom
OK Go- Here It Goes Again
Radiohead- Karma Police
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Into the Great Wide Open
U2- Where the Streets Have No Name

Who do you hope wins it?

Band Spotlight: Shinobi Ninja

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:46:34 EDT

If you couldn’t tell from the interview, mini performance and music video, this week’s $99 Music Video band Shinobi Ninja are so full of energy that they practically explode off the screen. Their music follows suit and is as varied as each of their 6 members. Dave Aaron and Baby Girl sing while Maniac Mike play guitar, Adriano Morez does bass, Terminator Dave keeps the beat and DJ Axis mixes it up.

What’s it sound like? Their bio says it best:

“Combining the forces of songwriters, studio musicians, producers, engineers, dancers, battle djs, and a chef, this “Voltron-esque” rock group bound by a party lifestyle and the love of music, creates an original sound with diverse influences of Hip Hop, Punk, Soul, R&B, and Metal.”

Named from a Sega Master System game, they’ve been together since early 2008 and played all over New York City. This past June, they released their mixtape, From Brooklyn to Babylon, which you can listen to here or download here.

Check their MySpace page for more show dates, or catch them at the Tumblr Reblog This Concert on August 10^th at Gramercy Theatre. Get the daily update on them on Twitter and see photographic evidence of their ridiculous shows on their tumblr.

The Evolution of a Concept: Spelling it Out

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:01:02 EDT

One of my favorite things about the music video community over on Antville, is how people there appreciated and remember music videos over a long period of time. Because of the posting bulk, a majority of the videos shared are new and will be soon forgotten but there are frequently opportunities for videos to be resurrected. Some of the ways include people asking the forum for a music video they kind of remember or just posting old videos not previously seen on the site. But the best, the BEST, is when someone makes a music video that may or may not have been directly inspired by a pre-existing music video. If it's at all like something that was already made, it WILL be pointed out. Let us examine one such example.

This unofficial turned official Death Cab for Cutie music video, directed by Ross Ching, was shared. Upon being posted to Antville, commentors immediately list other videos that pre-date this music video but have much of the same idea: using every day objects to spell out the song lyrics.

The video most often refered to as having inspired the Death Cab video is the SoftLightes music video for Heart Made of Sound, directed by Kris Moyes. It was made in 2006 and although appears to be a complete original, you'd be mistaken.

The first link to this music video concept was actually found in a graphic designer and typography enthusiast not attempting to make music videos at all. His name is Stefan Sagmeister. He explains on his website that while growing up, his sign painting Gradnfather hung sayings and wisdom around the house. Sagmeister decided that with this art installation Art Grandeur Nature 2004, he'd continute the tradition. His five images across a variety of scenes tell you "Trying to look good limits my life."

Following the breadcrumb trail of music videos can frequently lead you to other work you may enjoy or even better, you may learn something about this history and transformation of an idea across several mediums. Have you seen any similar music videos that use this concept as well?

Borrowed Eyes and the Blood Red Road....LIVE !

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:17:32 EDT

Rad band name right ? Just started getting into them and they're awesome. If your around webster hall in NYC the next couple of mondays. See Them ! check their myspace out and see u at the show. http://www.myspace.com/borrowedeyesandthebloodredroad

Singer Songwriter Music Video Files

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:23:55 EDT

The song is: Maybe I Will, by Julia Nunes

From the DIY singersongwriter music video files, Julia Nunes! This song is sweet and fun and dang, the woman has some vocals! I really dig the DIY spirit of Julia and her firends to put together this video. Her 900,000+ views for this video show just how important a video presence can be on the interwebs.

About the video:

pictures were taken on photobooth over the span of 2 days by either me or my suite-mate Julia Brenner (yep there are 3 julias in our suite)
it took forever
hope you like it

Musician Rundown: Scott Burns

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:52:09 EDT

"I guess you could call me an Aussie hip hop artist. I've been MCing around Australia around 5 years or so now. Yeah, it's hip hop. There is kind of a sub-genre called Aussie hip hop. We have normal hip hop as well." - Scott Burns

Name: Scott Burns

From: Sydney Australia

Background: battle MC in Sydney since 2004

Debut album: Day 1, released Oct. '08 by LookUP Collective

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/scottburnsthings

Twitter: http://twitter.com/THEBURNSUNIT

Recommended if you like: rappers with accents and good beats

A great profile written by 3D World who named Day 1 "Local Album of the Year": http://www.threedworld.com.au/music/features/2008/Scott-Burns--Fresh-Beginnings-/

Indy Mogul Does Snorricam and Music Video

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:45:09 EDT

If you're into DIY filmmaking and haven't checked out Indy Mogul yet, then boy, you are missing out.

On the latest addition of Backyard FX, the gang made a Snorricam. What is that, you ask? It's a camera strapped to the body of an actor so that in each shot, the face of the actor is fixed but the world moves around it. A VERY cool effect. Since they get kinda pricey, they showed you how to make a Snorricam for $30!

After they made one, it was time to create something with their cool new gadget. Can you guess what they picked? That's right, a music video, featuring the music of Keelay*. Since the snorricam cost $30 and the footage was taken while out in Brooklyn one night, they basically made a $99 Music Video! Check out the Snorricam Party Music Video right here.

*who you may soon hear of again from us, WINK

Fine Art

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:18:17 EDT

On this very impressive, unofficial Metronomy music video, you get some color, some simple but effective technique and a mind numbingly mezmerizing video. You know that feeling where you get a little dizzy but can't peel your eyes away from a video? Yeah, this is that.

When I see something like this, I can't help but to try and figure out (as someone without a technical film production background) how on earth they did this. Obviously the pain and the swoopy mirror effect but was there a huge scroll of paper that they were unrolling/rolling the entire time? Can somone enlighten me?

(Click through to watch)

Celebrity Look Alike Contest

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:13:19 EDT

In the comments section of the Young Righchus and Max Berry video, Ridin', commenter jkc noted that the video was quite a bit like a Nyle video, released a few months ago. Curious to see what the other video was, a link was posted to Nyle's "Let the Beat Build". I've seen it before and can definitely understand why someone might think the videos were linked in some way. It appears to be just chance that they are anything alike. As Ridin' music video director Taylor Engel noted:

"Interesting, but 1) I can promise you I've never see this before, 2) I really don't see that much of a similarity, honestly and 3) This video was made and posted on Vimeo 3 months ago. I made the Ridin' video, however, last October. Check out when I posted it on Vimeo here: http://www.vimeo.com/2191006 So if anything they ripped off our video, which I doubt, but it would be really flattering if they did."

The video is also done in one take at a college and has some great lighting. But it's the live instrumentation and a capella build that I think is cool enough to warrant posting here, but not in comparison to Taylor Engel's video. Just as a friendly heads up to anyone that really loved Ridin' and wanted something along the same lines. Enjoy!

Musician and Director Spotlight: Roche Limit

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:10:28 EDT

While we’ve once featured a music video that was made by a member of the band (See: Tim McConville and Dutchess), this is yet ANOTHER $99 Music Video first. Roche Limit sent us his music video for “My Friend Ship” featuring his own stylings via the free Google 3D sketching software SketchUp, which is generally used on map out rooms for furniture or mock up a house. Since you’ve seen the Felicia Williams’ interview with Dave Righton on how this music video came to be, it’s time to learn about his one man band, Roche Limit.

In a story of Roche Limit’s history best read for yourself, Roche Limit was created by Dave Righton as a forum to indulge in his love of music. While he currently doesn’t tour or play live, you can listen to more of his music on MySpace or on his website. His first album is called White Limit and was released in 2006. His newest album “Sometimes We Must Change Shape” was released May 5^th, 2009 and was co-produced by Kevvy Mental from Fake Shark Real Zombie.

As most savvy musical entities go, the band is of course on twitter. If you like his music, go buy it!

Your Daily Inspiration

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:56:47 EDT

Watch on Vimeo.

From the description: “Ce soir” is Montreal based band Monogrenade’s first music video. Directed by Christophe Collette, the video is entirely made in stop-motion.

While this undoubtedly violates the time and budget rules for a $99 Music Video, that doesn’t mean we can't all appreciate a beautiful, original and well-done music video! Much like the most recent stop-motion wonders, Her Morning Elegance, You came Out and Sorry I’m Late, it has a strong story line and is executed really, really well! It is all in the details! It’s quite amazing what the director, Christophe Collette, did with an old abandonded house.

United Breaks Guitars

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:40:30 EDT

One part country rock ballad, another park stick-it-to-the-man, this clever, frequently hilarious music video by the Sons of Maxwell has over two-and-a-half million views in less than a week. I haven't seen a music video jump off the top of the YouTube charts since Radiohead rocked House of Cards.

This southern rock opera intends to grab the attention of United Airlines, raising awareness about their often ruthless compensation policies and, of course, the conglomerate’s general lack of awareness of fair labor practices. According to this response video from the singer, the campaign appears to be working. So, why has this Sons of Maxwell video become so popular and so fast? My theory: A) the song's really catchy and after a watching the video once you'll end up humming it for hours B) the video uses simple re-enactments of classic airport scenes:haphazardly tossed luggage and indifferent flight attendants that are amazingly funny.

According to the credits, the video's creators, Curve Productions in Halifax, seemed to have pulled off the production on a fairly low budget. Aside from a few purchased props, the video appears to be simplistic, utilizing physical elements, like costumes and props to set the scene. Really, who needs to shoot at an airport to simulate a tarmac? Any hunk of pavement will do!

As for location, the video appears to take place in a studio, interior of a car, and parking lot; which could, in reality, all be in the same building. This video might not have cost more than our $99 budget and but it definitely shares our spirit; using what ever people, places, and equipment that's lying around to make a million view masterpiece.

Musician Spotlight: Young Righchus and Max Berry

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:45:44 EDT

South Carolina natives Young Righchus and Max Berry have worked together musically since high school. Young Righchus provides the wordplay while Max Berry, the beats. They just released a new album cover for Chaos Theory, which will drop very soon.

The best intro for these guys really is the Fresh in the Game reality show intro that the music video director Taylor Engel, which you can watch here!

Want more? We've got some links for ya:

Righchus website: righchus.com
Young Righchus on MySpace: myspace.com/youngrighchus
Max Berry on MySpace: myspace.com/berrybeats

Music Video Director Spotlight: Taylor Engel

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:59:13 EDT

A recent graduate of the University of South Carolina, Taylor Engel has done more than make a fantastic one-take music video. He started the Movable Type Pictures production company with his brother Blake Engel and Dale Fagan and already has his foot in the door for a big career in film. He's worked on Army Wives and with director Chris Hanley and recently had two entries accepted to the Indie Grits Film Festival.

I hear that Taylor has some new music videos in the works which I'll share with you guys. Watch out for Taylor Engel, you're gonna see some more awesome stuff come from this guy, trust me.

Want to know more? Head on over to Taylor's website where you can peep his reel and view past work at taylorengel.com.

A $99 Music Video FIRST!

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:40:14 EDT

(Photo by Siobhan O'Brien)

From the net to the tube, we're excited to annouce that the $99 Music Video for Plushgun is making the crossover! "Let Me Kiss You Now (And I'll Fade Away)" is debuting on MTV2 at 1am EST Thursday, July 9th. If you want to walk down memory lane and re-watch our 3rd ever music video, directed by talented Ana Veselic, you know where to go...

So tune in and join us in congratulating them for this exciting news!

Ray Tintori Interviewed on We Love You So

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:46:23 EDT

Spike Jonze-directed "Where the Wild Things Are" has a pretty fantastic blog called We Love You So. It's full of tangentally related movie items and downright cool stories and factoids inspired by the artists and creators who inspired the movie. They recently interviewed music video director Ray Tintori and it was too good not to pass along to you guys.

An excerpt:

Did you learn a lot by doing these videos over the past two years?
Yeah, I just got a lot more set experience. They’ve all been on really different scales: that Chairlift video was like $2000, and the Killers video was, I think, $180,000. And everything in between. I definitely like knowing that I can handle a production on all these different scales of professionalism. I learned a lot about actually being a director.

We tried to make every video in a completely different style than the previous ones, and that’s been really fun. Each one of them was set up with a formal challenge in mind. With the Cool Kids video, we moved the camera a lot, and then on another video we’d have a completely locked off camera, and just to try to make it work. Or, we’d have a lot of really long shots. On “Kids,” we tried to shoot it really, really boring without a lot of extreme camera moves. Sort of like an 80’s horror film.

It's a great read so head on over to get the full text!

Band Spotlight: Dutchess

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:53:06 EDT

Built by former Les Savy Fav member Gibb Slife, the Nico-esque voiced Marike Damhuis and drummer Tim McConville, Brooklyn-based Dutchess plays a brand of down and dirty rock 'n roll.

Their music is exactly how drummer and music video director Timothy McConville drescribed their track “White Piano," as having a jagged edge. A little bit raw and raucous, and yet completely likeable.

Their last record was Last of the Lonely Ones but as a bonus, Dutchess comes in with a built-in free music sampler! Download three of their tracks, including White Piano, by heading over to a place where they are good at finding awesome bands, RCRD LBL.

Inspired By: Jean-Paul Gaultier

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:21:12 EDT

I was browsing YouTube today when I ran across this music video by French DJ Martin Solveig and fell in love. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think my throbbing heart had something to do with the song's catchy energy, like something I'd throw on a cleaning-the-apartment playlist. Yet, there's something slightly odd about the video that made me watch it on repeat.

I sat at my desk for awhile, well, a long while, wondering how I could get so obsessed with "Boys and Girls". Is it because the black and white color scheme with a blast of pink? Or is it the fashionable clothes and the posh sense of recklessness? I sent the video over to April for further investigation. Turns out the video was made in conjunction with Jean-Paul Gaultier for a new fragrance - which explains the clothes and the mysterious man at the open of the video - and the well-polished but typical commercial thang suddenly makes sense. Knowing that the video was an ad (kind of) changes my opinion but I remain entranced by the look.

After watching the video a few more times, I realized that the magic lives in the location. The arching stairwell and empty display cases create the gorgeous white wonderland where this song and dance takes place. Aside from the clothes, a Gaultier cameo, and Dragonette, the location proves a dreamland I want to visit. Now I know you can't get Jean-Paul Gaultier's masion on a $99 budget, but that doesn't mean that there aren't a million other locations that would create the perfect world for free. Whether it's a church, the ocean, the lobby of and old library, that backseat of a vintage Ford or an upscale restaurant, putting creative vision behind the scenery or the location can add perspective and beauty to any music video.

So, next time you're determined to come up with a concepts for your a video, try thinking setting your mind in a unique location in your area; something that's caught your eye before and is available for public use. Or if you already have an idea, take ar hour or two to scout out a place that would make the video come to life. Now that could be the difference between an ad and art.

Music Video Director Spotlight: Timothy McConville

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:13:54 EDT

This week's featured music video director is Timothy McConville. His website says he's is a "Director, Producer, Maker of Things" and that's not just lipservice. He's got quite a bit to show for himself and this week's $99 Music Video proves just that. He's not only in the Brooklyn band Dutchess but he directed the latest music video as well. Music aside, his work has also been on the Discovery Channel, PBS and the History Channel. Clearly he's got some experience which makes his sage advice in this week's interview all the more worth listening to. If you haven't see it yet, what on earth are you waiting for?!? Saunter over to his website to watch his reel and see the other fantastic work he's done. 30 second documentaries, anyone?

(images from behind the scenes of "White Piano" which you can also see here) (and to bone up on what you know about Tim's great band Dutchess, godownload three FREE TRACKS from RCRD LBL)

What is the best advice you've received about making a music video?

Rest In Peace King Of Pop

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:45:31 EDT

As I'm sure you've heard, yesterday marked the passing of an era. Michael Jackson's contributions to the world of music and music videos will undoubtedly continue to influence the work of musicians and directors for generations to come. With a sad heart, let's have a moment of music and watch some of MJ's greatest works:

Scream, featuring Janet Jackson

And his best for last, Thriller

How We Watch Music Videos: The Movie

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:16:35 EDT

Deerhoof, ever purveyors of fine music videos, recently released a new video for their song My Purple Past. Instead of taking a song, taping themselves singing with it and then synching audio over it, they took a different approach. One I haven't seen before.

The music video displays different ways in which listeners experience Deerhoof's music: On laptop speakers, playing from a record player, from headphones. And the audio is left as is. So what you get is a study on the various audio formats that music is enjoyed. Facinating.

Now if only someone would make a VERY meta music video of all the places we watch My Purple Past...

Hats off to Asha Schechter for directing this great, creative vision.

BAND SPOTLIGHT: Hoarsebox

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:55:25 EDT

This week's $99 Music Video band is Hoarsebox, a high-energy 4-piece band from Dublin (yes, IRELAND!). Once you listen to these guys, beware: they WILL own a bit of your ear and brain. Between the four of them, their songs are infecutous, danceable and are habit forming. Their last release was May of last year, called Cuckooland.

These guys have been featured on Clear Channel’s NEW PROGRAM as an Artist to Watch and were recently featured on The Raw Sessions, a show where 8 independent bands tell their stories and write an original song in front of the cameras in 12 hours or less every week. And of course Hoarsebox are world travelers, touring the states NYC and Hollywood over.

They are no strangers to awesome music videos as the one for All I Need Now is also pretty cool.

Hoarsebox TV on MUZU.

Not bad for a band called “The Police meets soul for the 21st century,” high accolades indeed! And as any accomplished band, these guys are of course on twitter. If you're curoius to catch them live, check their website for tour dates.

Music Video Director Spotlight: Mad Dog Digital

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:28:15 EDT

When faced with new equipment and a desire to have more to show for yourself, David Jackson of Mad Dog Digital did what any sensible filmmaker would do: made a music video. If you’re curious to hear more on the process and inspiration behind this week’s upcoming music video, watch Rob’s interview with Mad Dog Digital man David Jackson.

Want to know more about Mad Dog Digital? They’re not what you’d call a typical music video directorial team. Mad Dog Digital is actually a Dublin-based a web design and digital advertising agency with in-house production. Clients they’ve worked with that us state-side would recognize include Rimmel cosmetics and Coors beer. Pretty impressive, eh? If you’d like to see more, head over to their webby site where you can watch their reel and see all their work. In the meantime, why don’t you jaunt over to Hoarseboxes' MySpace page and listen to some of their up-beat jams while you get pumped for our first official user submitted $99 Music Video!

Appreciating The Depreciation Guild

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:43:00 EDT

8-bit wonderband The Depreciation Guild and our very own $99 Music Videos creator Jack Ferry put out a brand new music video today for Dream About Me, debuted on Pitchfork.tv. It’s so The Depreciation Guild, it almost feels like their last album cover and website came to life. I can’t remember the last time I saw a director present a band performance music video in such a way that the music video feels like a perfect representation of the band’s sound.

Want more from The Depreciation Guild? Pitchfork reviewed Dream About Me. And they’ve also go their last album, In Her Gentle Jaws, available for download IN IT’S ENTIRITY. It’s good. Play it over and over again good. Amazing even.

Want more from Jack? Check out these fan-fricken-tastic music videos he directed for $99 Music Videos: La Strada and Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard

Last thing! Someone posted pretty pictures of the music video shoot on Facebook, so go peep ‘em.

Invasion of the Hipster Bodysnatchers

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:54:42 EDT

Cool in the Cool Way - Invasion of the Hipster Bodysnatchers by My First Earthquake, directed by Katie Gillum

Crazy fun song, great concept, well done! Loving the heck out of this brand new My First Earthquake jam. If you’re a San Francisco local, come to their album release show for DOWNSTAIRS at Cafe Du Nord tomorrow night!

::GREEN EYES::

Moby Makes Animated Blips

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:46:00 EDT

Moby ‘Study War’ Blip

How cool! Moby is doing 16 30-second animated “blips” while ramping up to release his new album. He’s got quite a few up already, so mosey on over and check them out on his YouTube page.

when i was 19 years old i worked in an independent record-store/head-shop in darien connecticut, named ‘johnnys’.

part of my job at johnny’s was to draw a little cartoon on every single bag that left the store, which was odd, as i didn’t know how to draw. but i came up with a quasi-self portrait (‘the little idiot’), and now after all these years he’s still around on the cover of ‘wait for me’, in the ‘pale horses’ video, and also in these ‘blips’ that we’ve made for every track on the album.

what is a ‘blip’? good question. a ‘blip’ is a 30 second animated music video. and we’ve made 16 of them (as there are 16 songs on the record). we’ll be launching some now, and some later. i hope you like them.

moby

More info about ‘Wait For Me’ can be found at http://moby.com

Let There Be Light

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:09:59 EDT

Dominik Eulberg SANSULA (Filmed and edited by Dirk Rauscher)

Thought we’d switch it up today and share with you guys a very chill, very pretty music video from Dominik Eulberg. Toying with light, nature and a lovely song, this music video is beautiful without being stylistically overwhelming. Oh lighting, a cheap trick that anyone can use with stunning results!

What are you filming today?

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:44:45 EDT

New! Improved! Just for You!

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:04:56 EDT

Besides just a wee tweet this morning, the hard work of many people deserves a least a full blog post dedicated to the newest $99 Music Videos and Next New Networks development: new website design!

Across all Next New Networks networks, there's a new site layout. It's cleaner, has better cross promotion between networks ( have you SEEN Indy Mogul? If you love film, you'd love it, trust me), upgraded viewer profiles and profile pictures, the list of improvements goes on and on. You can even 'like' episodes (a la tumblr), easily read twitter from the blog sidebar, and jump between relevant episodes with a mere click. Want to know what blogs we read? There's even a list of 'Sites We Like' on the blog sidebar too.

But enough about us, what do you think? Leave you thoughts below (don't forget to make yourself an account too while you're at it) or tell the $99 Music Videos team what you think at rockout@99dollarmusicvideos.com.

More Berzerk Robots: This Time with Kids

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:41:00 EDT

Busdriver - Me-Time

The thing I love most about this music video (besides the berzerk robot puppet) is how much it feels like a short film. If you’re a fan of how it looks, you should check out director Hiro Murai’s other work which includes the intense and potentially NSFW (big ?!? for this one) Block Party “Signs” and the illuminating Willowz music video for “Whats Wrong is Right.” You can also check out Hiro’s Partizan page for his bio and other video samples.

Sonic Youth's Music Video Playlist on P4k

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:12:00 EDT

Ever a fan of the music video playlist, we’ve gotta post this one created by uber-rockers Sonic Youth. It’s trippy for sure. So head on over if you’re into that kind of thing.

Playlist includes:

Samara Lubelski-Road To MisFortune
Excepter-Any and Every
Teenage Jesus And The Jerks-Orphans
Erase Errata-Cruising
Vivian Girls-Tell The-World
Pocahaunted-Warpaint
Tone Loc-Wild Thing
Kleenex/LiliPUT-Die Matrosen
Six Organs Of Admittence-Goodnight
Awesome Color-Eyes of Light

There's No Such Thing as a Music Video Cover

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:00:34 EDT

The best covers are often ones that reimagine the original song in the particular style of the musician who is re-recording it. Such is the case with this Nite Club version of Good Life (from Kanye West). Not only is it a great standalone song but they teamed up with talented director Yuichi Uchida and made a great music video from the perspective of a cat (if cat’s could read).

$99 Inspiration: Peaches and the Projector

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:57:00 EDT

Ah Peaches! You whose music and music videos are frequently too racy for us to post. You’ve nailed it with a PG song and a PG video that finally we can rejoice in your creativity. And some great ideas to takeaway from this video as well. Not that we know anything about using projectors for music videos (WINK) but it was a nice touch to have it on your cape. Bravissimo! Let’s bask in the deliciously awkward and funny concept.

Stop Motion Mania

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:12:00 EDT

We Have Band - You Came Out

“The face paint animation film is made up of 4,816 separate stills. Each and every frame was hand-painted, shot, wiped off and redrawn, slightly differently for the next frame in order to create a seamless sequence. This time-consuming process involved the band members lying still for two consecutive days in a studio.

In order to animate the singing bit, lip movement was created by animating a painted mouth on the singer Dede. This involved breaking the lyrics into phonetics and giving each sound a specific mouth shape. To make this as realistic as possible all the mouth shapes were painted on Dedes face individually and then shot.” (from Boing Boing about the Making Of which you can watch HERE)

Although it took way more than a day to shoot and edit, the incredible amount of patience and impressive creativity displayed to make this music video, we must post at least for inspiration!

Also worth noting, they put ALL the still frames up on Flickr. Which you can check out HERE.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Guest Post Part 3

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:22:22 EDT

Today marks the latest and last update from Colin, of the Ourobouros podcast and the Weekly Music Video Podcast fame, during his 3 part guest blog stint with us here at $99 Music Videos! You can read the first HERE, and the second HERE. He's done a GREAT job spotlighting awesome music videos and we really appreciate him taking the time to write for us. If you've been digging it too, let him know in the comments! So let's get on with it, Colin go!:

Elle S'Appelle - Little Flame
Unlike the first two videos, the final video I have for you will not be featured on WMVP, but it's one of my all-time favourite videos so I had to share it with you. I have a self imposed rule on my podcasts that I don't play bands who have split up and unfortunately Elle S'Appelle from Liverpool, England are no more. They were just about to make the big break through here in the UK so it was very sad. This video is definitive proof that you don't need a huge budget to create a great video. All you need is a good concept and some inventiveness. The concept for this video, directed by the band and Ste Lucas, is a series of round objects making a series of patterns. It's very simple, but like all the best ideas the genius comes from doing it first. Gone but not forgotten.

The first two of these videos (that would be Seagull Strange and Echo Helstrom) will be featured on future episodes of Weekly Music Video Podcast, released every Wednesday at wmvp.blogspot.com. You can also listen to my audio podcast, Ourobouros Podcast released every Saturday at ourobouros.co.uk

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Guest Post Part 2

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:13:09 EDT

As promised yesterday, today we have part 2 of a series of guest blogs by Colin, from the Ourobouros podcast and the Weekly Music Video Podcast! Read and watch yesterday's Part 1 HERE. And here's more from Colin!

One thing that really frustrates me about the low-budget and no-budget end of the music video market is the lack of imagination. All too often when a band has limited resources the video ends up being a simple performance video. This video by Seagull Strange from Bristol, England shows that even when all you've got is the band and a room you can still come up with something visually interesting. Directors Adam & Simon Bowman get the entire band to lip sync the lyrics of the track during an extended tracking shot that travels down a row of stools with the band on it. It's not so much the technique that is so effective but the facial expressions of the band that perfectly fit the low-key nature of the song. For the faster paced finale of the track we get the 'traditional' performance section but the timing of the change is perfect. Simplicity itself, but a great video.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Guest Post

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:16:51 EDT

We've got something special cooking today. We're starting with a series of guest blog posts by long time music and music video junkie Colin, from the Ourobouros podcast and the Weekly Music Video Podcast! Over the next three days, he'll be sharing music videos that capture the spirit behind $99 Music Videos. Take it away, Colin:

I've been an audio podcaster for over two years now and earlier this year I decided to create a vidcast as well, Weekly Music Video Podcast. My favourite type of videos have always been those that show imagination, creativity and didn't cost the earth. In fact just the type of videos the fine folks at $99 Music Videos make and promote. April was kind enough to invite me to write this special 'In The Spirit Of' blog that features three videos that highlight what I want to do with WMVP.

Echo Helstrom - Hungry Ghost, directed by Kurt Nishimura
Stop-Motion animation has always been a time intensive, but effective way of making a cheap video. It always seems particularly effective when what's getting animated is a human being, as in this video for Echo Helstrom from Portland, Oregon. Stop-Motion is also has the ability to create many different moods and the ominous, haunting feel of the song comes vividly to life in this video directed by Kurt Nishimura. A solo ballet dancer enters an almost an almost completely black space and is animated dancing to the track as the band can barely be seen in the background. Affecting, effective and brilliant.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Dance Sucka

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:30:22 EDT

Speaking of public archive footage (last week), today I saw a wonderful music video for UK band Fenech-Soler called I Need Love. The slow motion ballet dancing looks modern and fits the airy electro dance sound well, emphasising the emotion of the music. Despite looking quite modern, the footage is from a 1972 film by Norman McLaren featuring Canadian ballet dancers David and Anna Marie Holmes. Proof once again that not all music videos need brand new footage but sight and sound complimenting each other.

(Is this a fan-made video? It was just posted to YouTube but I’m unsure who the smartypants was that decided to combine the music with the ballet footage!)

Kevin Devine’s video for “I Could Be With Anyone" It rocks!

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:06:09 EDT

Check out Kevin Devine’s video for “I Could Be With Anyone” it premiered today and was directed by $99 Music Videos’ Sherng-Lee Huang. The song rocks, Kevin rocks and the video rocks. We also might have had a little something to do with it. (Wink)

U can buy Kevin’s album “Brother’s Blood” on Itunes, amazon, or a local record store near u. It’s amazing. U can also check the band out @ Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 7, with Brian Bonz, who we also dig.

Attention New Yorkers! Your Sunday Night Plans Are Here

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EDT

Making plans for your weekend? Well don’t even think about Sunday night. We’ve got that covered. You are offically invited to the Next New Networks $99 Music Videos Season 1 Wrap Party! Starting at 7pm, Sunday June 7th, come hang at M1-5 with Jack, Melissa, Kit, and April (all the way from San Fran!), as well as directors and musicians from the show.

More official sounding details below:

On the eve of the Webby Gala, come celebrate with the $99 Team, as well as Next New Networks’ Webby Award Winners, Nominees and Honorees.

Featuring music and videos from the series, produced by series creator Jack Ferry.

Watch the entire season 1 at:
http://99dollarmusicvideos.com or
http://youtube.com/99dollarmusicvideos

Register to be a VIP guest at http://99dollarparty.eventbrite.com! And RSVP over on the Facebook event page.

Hope to see everybody there!

Check it out. Brian Bonz’s video for “Dee the Dinosaur."

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:34:48 EDT

Brian Bonz’s video premiere for the track “Dee the Dinosaur” is on Spinner.com today. Our good buddy Tim Duff directed this amazing music video. (And we also might have had a little something to do with it) We are huge fans of Brian and the crew and think you should definitely check this video out!!!

Catch Brian on tour with Kevin Devine. They play Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 7.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Basic Package

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:57:03 EDT

Beautiful landscape, clear audio, a fog machine, some costumed friends, a pinch more of nature and you have yourself a simple, yet effective music video. The musician is Jenny Wilson and this is her video for Like A Faiding Rainbow.

(the really high quality version of this video is here, go peep it)

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Nuclear Archives

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:47:50 EDT

As will happen when something is public domain, good things happen. When not restriced by intellectual property, arts are free to play with someon else's work and new life is given to older work. Case-in-point is this strangely coordinated music video for John Dufilho's "I'm Gonna Stay Under These Covers," all made from public domain footage.

About I'm Gonna Stay Under These Covers:
From John Dufilho's I Remain, as Always, a Rabble Rouser From the Mountains (Glurp)

John Dufilho: One Man Band
H. Michael Karshis: Complier of Public Domain footage and video director

And as a two-fer, check out another awesome public domain footage music video by $99 Music Video bud, Mark Schoneveld. Its for The War on Drugs' song "Needle in Your Eye #16"and recently accepted to the 17th Curtas Vila do Conde International Film Festival in Portugal. Congrats!

Micachu Gets $99ish with Golden Phone

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:13:43 EDT

While perhaps not imagining Micachu as the type to use a little choreographed dancing in a music video, it works. Loving the new DIY-feel of Micachu’s Golden Phone. I only wish there was more information about it! Le sigh: I can only find the video and not music additional info. Verdict: totally boss.

"Patrick had strong ideas about the look of the eyes and skin and how the faces should glow from..."

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:06:59 EDT

“Patrick had strong ideas about the look of the eyes and skin and how the faces should glow from within. The eyes were not only enlarged but the left and right eyes were composited together from different takes to add to the surreal nature of the video. We tried several looks of glow: experimenting with LEDs under the skin and working our way towards an effect where we showed an increasingly bright, hidden light source. We ultimately decided that each band member would have different parts of the face brighten and that those bright areas would get lighter and grow in size until the whole face was engulfed. Once the faces were sorted out, we worked on incorporating glows in the mouth and integrating the explosion, fire, and hair elements.”

- Tara Demarco from The Mill sheds light on Patrick Daughters’ Grizzly Bear “Two Weeks” Music Video

The effects company responsible for glowing and combustion of the new Grizzly Bear music video for Two Weeks was interviewed by ‘Boards Magazine. If you’ve ever wondered how they did it, you’ve got your answer.

Check it out. The All-For-Nots "In the Spirit of" Music Video

Fri, 29 May 2009 09:28:20 EDT

Check out this awesome “In the Spirit of” music video for web celebs The All-For-Nots. Alas, the band isn’t together anymore, but their music video is super cool.

It was made for under $99, on a very early morning in lower Manhattan. $99 Music Videos'Sherng-Lee Huang directed the video and Kathleen Grace produced it. They are definitely pros at the whole $99 thing. You go guys!

Where Are They Now? $99 Music Video Alumni

Thu, 28 May 2009 20:35:22 EDT

It's been exactly one week since our season 1 wrap-up, two since the season finale Savoir Adore's MERP and many more since you first got introduced to $99 Music Videos by Jack, show creator. Many of the bands we've worked with (ok, ALL of the bands) have done quite a lot so here's a handy guide to what they're up to, what you can look forward to and how to keep tabs on these $99 Music Video alumni.

La Strada- These guys have since debuted their first release, a self-titled EP, which you can purchase on iTunes. They are currently touring around the New England area so check if they are playing near you on thir MySpace page. For more immediate daily gratification, follow them on Twitter. They were one of The L Mag’s 8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear: 2008.

Via Audio- They played many a show at this years SXSW and it was documented by video. They've got a line of tour dates with Ha Ha Tonka this June and are reportedly working on new material for another album. They are on twitter.

Plushgun- Plushgun had a successful European tour and released their second full length, Pins & Panzers, which you can buy on iTunes. They also hosted a show on MTV’s Subterranean and have a whole long list of tour dates for this summer all over the US. They may be playing by you! The blog, Generation Plush, is a pretty good place to hear about more comings and goings of the band. Again with the Twitter, by main dude Dan Ingala.

Jeffey Lewis- This one man singing and drawing machine released the album “Em Are I” (on Amazon), and is now touring the east coast. Mr. Lewis also debuted a video blog for The Guardian and Magnet Magazine called Jeffrey Lewis and the News.

Franklin for Short- Since their music video, they plan on releasing 200 limited Lightning/Thunder 7" records this summer. For the latest scoop, these guys have a blog that they update regularly. And are on twitter.

Frances- They are currently finishing up their new album and posted sneak peak videos of the process.You can get their last album, All the While, on iTunes. They are playing a free show at Roosevelt Live on June 20th.

Lowry- As you might've read many times on this blog, Lowry headlined the 1st night of The Deli’s Best of NYC Festival at South Paw. They are also working on their next album, set to be released January 2010 and have a Charleston, South Carolina 8 night residency coming up in late July. Check their blog for all the latest happenings.

Project Jenny, Project Jan- Approximately the same time their insane-o $99 Music Video debuted, PJPJ also released their collaborative The Colors EP, which you can buy on their website. They will be performing at Ireland's Castle Palooza this August with a few other tour dates.

Mixel Pixel- They have been touring a lot but still have a few east coast and Canada tour dates coming up including a night at Le Poisson Rouge with the legendary They Might Be Giants.

Neil Halstead- He'll be playing the Gold Coast festival this June and has a bunch of UK tour dates. He did a Daytrotter session and revealed two great new tracks called Creatures of the Road and You Are the Glue.

Scream Hello- These guys released a limited edition "Art of the Underground" 7" series. You can follow along with them on their frequently updated blog.

Savoir Adore- This most recent band was picked as The L Mag’s 8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear: 2009. Savoir Adore also released a free Machines EP which you can get here and are performing at the Northside Festival. Band member Paul had a guest spot drumming with Sniper Twins on mtvU. They twitter.

Robot Attacks Music Video and Band

Thu, 28 May 2009 18:02:56 EDT

Late of the Pier’s newest music video for track Focker is indeed spectacular. Ripe with an awesome dancetastic jams and a robot attack, it’s a good time from the beginning to the dramatic end.

Shoutout to @sighmon who is the fellow on twitter we found this treasure from. He said “quite definitely the best DIY lo-fi music video i’ve seen in a while.” Not unusually, it reminds me of the $99 Music Video for Franklin for Short when they rattle around their cooler in the ocean.

Unfortunately the embedding has been disabled for this one, so head on over and give it a look.

In Which We Tip Our Hats To Other DIY Music Video Makers

Wed, 27 May 2009 17:24:00 EDT

Back in February, when we were too busy launching to notice much of anything, the Center for Asian American Media hosted their 2nd annual Do It Yourself Music Video Premiere and Online Contest. Although now several months old, it’s definitely still worth it to share the winning video, Careless by San Francisco band Mud, and the DIY People’s Choice Award music video for Holdin’ Up the Wall by Denizen Kane. Enjoy!

Careless by Mud
Directed by Matthew Abaya with help from Angelo Ibane

Holdin’ Up the Wall by Denizen Kane

Directed by Jason Mateo

(CLICK THROUGH to watch the videos!)

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Hypercolor

Tue, 26 May 2009 22:26:02 EDT

Some guys. A desert. Some water balloons. Head boppable music. A uke. ‘Apples’ by Alex Benson is today’s In the Spirit of $99 Music Video music video. Proving that a good music video doesn't have to be overwrought.

About ‘Apples’: We shot this in the suburban desert in Mesa, AZ. Lots of fun, and we only really spent money on bubbles, water balloons and pizza for everyone!
If you want the mp3, you can download the whole album free right here.
Morgan Evans did the wonderful filming, and Lance Robinson and Joe Ranweiler are my band dudes there.

Regina Spektor - Dance Anthem of the 80s I saw Regina...

Fri, 22 May 2009 17:25:03 EDT

Regina Spektor - Dance Anthem of the 80s

I saw Regina Spektor’s new music video on Antville this morning and thought “By jove! Surely this was done for less than $99! And it also looks like it easily could’ve been done in a day. Awesome!” Thereby I present you with an unintention $99 Music Video from one of the queens of sweet-pop herself.

While watching this music video, I slowly realized that I knew this song very well! I saw Regina Spektor last year at McCarren Pool. It was a rather rainy and gross day but she put on a great show. The beatboxing you hear throughout the video? Yeah, that was done by the talented Reggie Watts, who she invited on stage during the concert to do the song. Psst, you can watch that McCarren Pool performance here.

(april)

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Packed with Care

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:29:20 EDT

So from the things we’ve learned during this season of $99 Music Videos, one of the biggest is that while you don’t need to have a huge budget, you simply can’t skimp on the concept. Today’s “In the Spirit of $99 Music Video” is a nice example of a good concept, done well. Maybe it’s the fact that I just moved myself, but it seems that the care with with band members were wrapped and moved can be appreciated by all. Bonus points for a great song. We’re really digging Ryan’s Song by Venice is Sinking over here.

About Ryan’s Song: (via stereogum)

Venice Is Sinking’s second album AZAR is out at the end of March. It’s been three years since their debut Sorry About The Flowers, so in this Jason Miller and Ethan Payne-directed video, the Athens, Georgia quintet are taken out of storage and propped in place to perform “Ryan’s Song,” the collection’s dreamy lead track. It feels a bit like Ida affixed to a bubbling Sea & Cake undertow. Vocalists Daniel Lawson and Karolyn Troupe navigate the band through the cardboard, packing tape, and bubble wrap.

Directed by Jason Miller & Ethan Payne
Produced by Eikon & Venice Is Sinking

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Head Trip II

Wed, 20 May 2009 19:24:14 EDT

Since yesterday's featured music video was so trippy, I'm thinking we should keep in the same vein and enjoy more trippy visuals today. This 'In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos' is from the Mexican psychedelic band Simona for their song "Mia." If yesterday's music video was earthy, well then this one is definitely cosmic. There's nothing like a lo-fi camera and some ornate costumes and some abstract effects to make me zone out in the music video zone. As a similar band, The Black Angels, say "Turn on, tune in, drone out."

About Mia music video: This is a video for a Mexican Psychedelic Band, it was made using a security cam, some wardrobe and masks. The location is the band rehearsal place, and it was edited using Final Cut. The total budget was 399 pesos (30 usd)

Pablo Ortiz - Director

Have we mentioned that White Rabbits Rock!

Wed, 20 May 2009 14:06:34 EDT

White Rabbits killed it on Letterman. Check out Brian from Frances playing in the back. Go Brian!

They play Bowery Ballroom on Thursday. Don’t miss it!

Season 1 $99 Music Videos Update!

Tue, 19 May 2009 21:40:00 EDT

Does it seem eerily quiet around here today to you too? As you might’ve noticed, last week’s Savoir Adore $99 Music Video for “MERP” was our season finale. That means that we don’t have a new Making Of video to share with you today. Don’t get too sad though! We’re just taking a short break between the next wave of $99 Music Videos and although we’re just calling it a spring break, we’ll be working on some new ideas and have a few things up our sleeves to make $99 Music Videos even better.

Don’t forget you can still catch us on the webs Twittering, Facebooking, MySpacing, Tumblring and blogging, that won’t stop. And you can count on it that we’ll still be gabbing about low-budget, DIY music video and the fantastic musicians and directors who make them.

So, stay tuned for a reminscent wrap-up show this Thursday where you’ll hear from the show’s creator, Jack and get a nice retrospective from the $99 Music Videos team. So thanks for watching, commenting and being awesome, gang! We’ve had so much fun this go around, we can’t wait to start up again soon.

To start off our mini-spring break, take a walk down memory lane with us and tell us this, what was your favorite $99 Music Video?

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Head Trip

Tue, 19 May 2009 20:16:00 EDT

Slow and psycadelic. Earthy and mellow. Spacey and surreal. This music and matching music video mesh well together and make for a full experience. The band is Traveling Circle and the video is for their song “Cylindrical Time.” Like the music, we’re not exactly sure what’s going on here, but we like it. Today’s In the Spirit of $99 Music Video is this slow jam. If you really want a head trip, hang out until at least 4:35.

About Cylindrical Time: Traveling Circle’s video for “Cylindrical Time” was shot in the discreet woodlands of New York City.

Directed by Christian Pindar and Dani Zorbas

Care for a bonus treat? How about Traveling Circle’s music video for Tie A Bow:
TRAVELING CIRCLE - TIE A BOW

If you like Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, & Massive Attack...Check out Home Video.

Mon, 18 May 2009 09:13:25 EDT

If you like Edward Gorey, Massive Attack, Smashing Pumpkins, and Radiohead, you’ll probably dig Home Video. We saw them play this weekend and they killed it. A lot of people ask us if you can be in the band and also be the filmmaker. Yes!

Home Video’s music video for “I can make you feel it” is the perfect example of that. The guys in the band made the video by printing out each frame and then hand drawing scribbles to overlay on top. It definitely has the DIY vibe of $99 music videos.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Field Day

Thu, 14 May 2009 19:48:29 EDT

With every 100 obligatory "band playing in a big empty field" music video, there are inevitably a couple that actually get it right. Make it look pretty. Give it some sort of a storyline. Make it MORE than just another band, in a field, singing. Which is why this music video by Sound & Shape for their song "The Love Electric" passed onto our radars with a happy little bleep. We dig it as today's "In the Spirit" of $99 Music Videos and hope you do too!

About this music video: The band came up with the concept and Greg and Memry Smith executed it. They spent roughly 80 bucks including our gas. Shot on the Sony ex3 with letus extreme, nikon primes.

BAND:
Ryan Caudle - Guitar/Vocals
Jerry Pentecost - Percussion
David C. Somerall - Bass Guitar

VIDEO PRODUCTION:
Greg Smith - DP, Editor
Memry Smith - Producer, Director

Phoenix Has An Awesome New Music Video!

Thu, 14 May 2009 18:31:00 EDT

Love Phoenix? And their song 1901? Then I'd suggest watching their new music video for it. Rad!

Notes from the Director: Matt Semel Inspired by Norman McLaren Film

Thu, 14 May 2009 12:02:57 EDT

Norman McLaren - Neighbours (1952)

I saw this great film from the 1950’s, “Neighbors” back in my first
animation class where Norm MacLaren did stop motion animation with
real people and have wanted to try it ever since. Of course, real
people have more needs than characters made out of clay, such as the
need to get out of blinding sunlight when being forced to stand still.
When Paul and Deidre, of Savoir Adore, met to talk about this idea, I
warned them that it might be a bit painful, but they stoically stood
by and managed to get some great shots. Doing all of the effects
in-camera like this let us easily stay within the $99 budget.

To get a shot of someone, say, hovering across the screen, the subject
just walks in nromally, shooting it like normal live-action. Then we
switch the camera to interval mode and the real fun would beging. The
subject then just jumps in the air, while the camera operator takes a
single frame of it. We repeat that 30-90 times, while the subjects
moves a little between each frame to make the animation happen. It’s
very inexact, and lo-fi, but that’s what really adds to the charm of
the effect. It’s also very slow, sometimes taking ten to twenty
minutes to just get one shot, which limited the number of times we
could do this during the short shoot day.

Some of my favorite shots are the ones where an object flies through
the screen. To do this, I would throw the object in the air each time,
and then remove myself from the shot later on in After Effects. The
untouched footage, which shows me in every frame is funny, and I was
sad to have to remove myself from the video.

Savoire Adore is a great band to work with, they have a strong sense
of the stories behind their music and what they want to do with it.
I’m still impressed with how hard they worked on the shoot, and how
much abuse they were willing to put up with. They spent all day
barefoot, in serious heat, with us bouncing sunlight in their faces,
flies swarming everywhere, and with glitter being dumped in their
faces, and didn’t complain once.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: The Episode with the Tin Can Phone

Tue, 12 May 2009 20:31:41 EDT

Musical comparisons aside (Brand New, HELLO!), this is a fun music video with a sweet story line and nice execution. And com’mon, when was the last time you saw something feature a tim can phone*?

About the music video: This is a video I made for a local band, Home Again. We spent about $60 on paint for a green wall, and about $10 on some rope. I have a camera, a few lights and editing system. It was snowy so it made shotting even harder. For the outside stuff we were shooting at a beautiful golden hour, but as you know the sun quickly goes down.

Adrian Stucker - Camera, Editing, Direction
Christen Garms - Assistant Camera

*don’t they know that the string has to be pulled tight in order to hear?!? AUGH! Yes, I am now linking to a Tin Can Phone tutorial.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Digital Explosion

Mon, 11 May 2009 22:27:43 EDT

Sometimes music videos are so stylized that they come off a little wacky. Such is the case with this digital masterpiece from Meneo for their song Basic. Clearly these guys do it themselves, which is why it’s today’s In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos. Hat’s off fellas, this one is spectacular.

About the music video: We shot the video with a photo camera with the LED screen broken :P and music is made on a 10 euros second hand gameboy. Background graphics are just 8bit trash created running BASIC (an acronym for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) on a ZX spectrum emulator mixed with some pixelart from old arcade videogames.

Meneo is:
video by entter
music by rigo pex

Music Video Roundup #7: Black Moth Super Rainbow, Nick Maynard, Carsick Cars

Sat, 09 May 2009 13:24:51 EDT

In this week’s Music Video roundup, I’m letting you guys do a little bit of the heavy lifting. Besides featuring music videos you sent in via Tumblr, you’lll see videos of bands performing on Sunday’s last night of The Deli’s Best of NYC Festival.

Simko: Carsick Cars “Mogu Mogu”
Most people in the US are unfamiliar with this band. Mostly becuase they are HUGE in China. Touring with Sonic Youth big. This music video goes a long way in communicating to us on this side of tyhe pond why exactly people love them so.

Nick Maynard: Nick Maynard “Open the Blast Doors”
It’s got a pregnant girlfriend, a space odessy and sweet animation. Honestly what else could you want from a music video?

Jura Shepherd: Winston Ackland “All the Little Fishes”
Totally shot in second life. And although I am unfamiliar with the popular game, seems like quite the feet. Good luck getting this song out of your noggin’.

And now, to celebrate all the amazing music that has been played and has yet to be played, a tribute to some of my favorite music videos posting during out blog coverage of The Deli’s Best Of NYC Festival. See you there tomorrow night!

Chairlift “Evident Utensil”

Mia Riddle “Open Wide”

Blank Dogs “Setting Fire To Your House”

Night #2! The Best of New York at The Bell House

Fri, 08 May 2009 16:19:20 EDT

It’s here! Time for the second night of The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest. This evening’s schedule at The Bell House includes:

Want to get a better idea of what to expect tonight? Don’t forget about our music video roundup of the awesome bands performing tonight!

BBQ, Drinks, & Awesome Bands - Deli Festival Fri & Sun Nights!

Fri, 08 May 2009 14:35:50 EDT

The Best of NYC Fest kicked off on Wednesday with a blast and is now full steam ahead. The weekend shows involve amazing artists Chairlift, Crystal Stilts, The Lisps, The Gay Blades, Blank Dogs and Angel Deradoorian. And those are just a few!

During the Friday and Sunday shows (both at The Bell House in Gowanus), a selection of videos, curated by Jack, will feature other great NYC bands and be projected in between sets.

In particular, we recommend you to come to The Bell House on Sunday for the closing night, any time after 5.30 pm. For this special occasion there will be a Hot Dog stand and - of course - beer at the bar. We’ll be hanging out and the Deli staff will be there answering questions and chillin as well. It’s going to be a blast. What better way to end your mother’s day celebrations!

More info about the shows here: http://www.thedelimagazine.com

Hope to see you there!

Lissy Trullie's New Video for "Boy Boy"

Fri, 08 May 2009 11:03:31 EDT

The team at $99 Music Videos love Lissy Trullie and the gang. They are super sweet and can seriously rock. Check out their new video for “Boy Boy” and buy the EP!

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos - Victory by Revenge

Thu, 07 May 2009 11:03:33 EDT

Music Video - A Heart for Faith

Victory by Revenge, per their myspace bio, are 5 dudes that are super sweet hearts, love their moms very much and live in the middle of nowhere in Howard county, MARYLAND.

Matt Moore & Melissa Ruben, two high school students, sent us the video they directed for the band and a behind the scenes to go along with it.

Matt told us that they borrowed the doctor’s scrubs from the local hospital and then created the hospital scene in an empty room in his family’s condo, with a bed and shower curtain. They filmed the snow scene in the front yard and added the snow digitally and the green screen video was done in his high school’s production studio. He edited the video and did the animation in Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects. And all for around $10!

Do I sense $99 Music Video directors in the making? I think they’ve proven that they already are. Great job guys!

Behind the Scenes - A Heart for Faith

Kicking Off The Deli's Best of NYC Fest

Wed, 06 May 2009 20:26:42 EDT

It is official! Today marks the first day of The Deli's Best of NYC Festival.

Tonight's schedule at Southpaw is as follows:

11.10 Lowry
10.30 Elizabeth + Catapult
9.40 The King Left
8.50 April Smith
8.10 KaiserCartel
7.30 Mia Riddle

See you there!

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Close Enough

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:37:07 EDT

When considering a music video for an In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos post, I think about a few things. Is it anywhere near our rules? Does it look like it could’ve taken day to shoot and edit? Even remostely close to under $99 budget? But sometimes, when even answers to those questions are closer to no, we gotta still share with you something awesome.

Because of this, here are a few reasons that I Become Time by Gordon Gunpowder is getting posted. First off, it was a school project. If there is one intangible thing we’re about, it’s giving something a shot and trying it out for the first time. Taking a new effect and taking it for a spin, kicking the tires so to speak. So the fact that this was a school project? Awesome, learning involved!

Second, this was done for the dirctor, Nolex’s friend. Calling in a favor? Yes, that’s often part of the $99 Music Videos equation. But more importantly, it was collboratio! So it seems right that this music video is honored as a nice accomplishment. Noelx, we hope you got an A+.

About the music video: Weeks of planing resulted in recording the song in one night (10pm - 10am) and shoting the video the following day. The day of shooting was capured in time lapse (one frame every 20 sec). Done as part of a bachelor thesis by a friend of the band, director Noelx designed the font and other design elements in collaboration with Gordon Gunpowder, as part of his bachelor thesis in multimedia design. Type in motion mixed with Greenscreen footage.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Twinsies & Co.

Tue, 05 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT

Of all the submission we’ve received, this one definitely has the most in common aesthetically with this week’s actual $99 Music Video by Scream Hello. That distinct DIY flair, the slight goofiness of it all (in the best possible way), the over-the-topness (is that even an adjective?), so it only seemed right that High Art by Phil and the Osophers was today’s In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos music video. Even though the actual concepts are very different, we’d like to commend the level of awesome achieved. Also: ouch. And again: ew. This one isn’t for the eyeball squeamish.

About High Art: Made in one day when our friend got laser surgery, the band and Leonardo Rodriguez (director), tagged along and convinced the doctor to let us film it. Then we stuck around and paid the receptionist $99 to sneak into the operating room and refilm the surgery.

Leonardo Rodriguez- director
Philip Radiotes - editing

White Rabbits, "Percussion Gun," Andrew Droz Palermo, dir.

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:33:51 EDT

If anyone out there is friends with White Rabbits, tell them to let me direct a music video for them.

‘Course if I did, it’s hard too imagine the result being much cooler than this. “Percussion Gun” from director Andrew Droz Palermo.

This video rules.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: What's Goin' On

Mon, 04 May 2009 18:29:37 EDT

While not all components might make sense in this music video (can someone explain the significance of the painted dude??? Or the present head???), there’s a loveable and hand-crafted quality about Junkyard Poets’ music video for Mend This Broken Sound. That and I can’t shake how much it sounds like my adolescent 1st love lost… U2. So thanks fellas of Junkyard Poets, you’ve won today’s spot as our “In the Spirit” of $99 Music Videos feature.

About the Music Video: A $41 music video for “Mend This Broken Sound” By Junkyard Poets. Created by Luke Schenk.

Director - Luke Schenk
Assistant Director - Dallas Mix
Director of Photography - Luke Schenk
Editor - Luke Schenk
Camera 1 - Luke Schenk
Camera 2 - Dallas Mix

Lead Vocals - Jared Salte
Lead Guitar - Cameron Strohschein
Guitar/ Keyboard/ Vocals - Peter Mol
Bass - Derek Gust
Drums - Matthew Peters
Drums - Taylor Fawcett

Painter - Stephanie Penner
Christmas Gift Man - Dallas Mix

Meet up w/ $99 Crew @ The Deli Best of NYC Festival

Sat, 02 May 2009 18:10:41 EDT

That’s right, $99 Music videos will be hanging out at the Deli Festival this week. Well, Jack and Melissa will be, April will be in San Francisco, but she’ll be there in spirit. :)

Here’s the scoop.

The Deli Live Fest is happening at the end of next week (May 6-10), with shows by Chairlift, Crystal Stilts, Blank Dogs, Takka Takka, April Smith, Elizabeth and the Catapult, Angel from Dirty Projectors and many more NYC bands. We’ll be showing videos in between the bands, some you’ve seen and some premieres!

If you’re in NYC and are interested in meeting the $99 crew or The Deli’s writers, we’ll be hanging at The Bell House front bar from 7pm on Friday May 08 and from 5.30pm on Sunday May 10.

Admission to the bar area is free of course..alas the drinks are not…

If you have videos or music you want us to check out bring them along!

Hope to see you there!

Music Video Roundup #6: Twitter Edition

Fri, 01 May 2009 19:33:00 EDT

When we ask you something on twitter, we mean it! We threw “What the best music video you’ve seen in the last week? Curious minds wants to know!” out into the universe and were looking forward to the answer. The outcome? Not disappointment! All the music videos featured in this week’s muic video roundup (in addition to our upcoming special event band’s music videos), are from you folks, so thanks. Below are our favorites. (Click through to see the embedded videos!)

@merti - Firekites “Autumn Story”
Besides the obviously large time commitment dedicated to making this music video, we’re totally impressed with its attention to detail and lovely illustrations.

@andrewhuntre – Maria Taylor “Cartoons And Forever Plans”
It’s only the sweetest music video concept we’ve seen in basically forever. See if you can get through this one without cracking at least a smile, or unless you’re really cynical, a good eye roll. We prefer the former.

@kestrin - his Orchestra, “Black Coffin”
The delicate tune’s sublty is only emphasized by the dark lyrics and theatrics of the actual music video. Bravo. And if you can’t tell from 6 of these music video roundups, we REALLY love music videos that feature dancing.

And now, to turn your attention to NYC. The best of NYC actually. It’s one of our favorite subjects, The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest! After posting fun music videos from the bands performing May 6th at Southpaw, May 8th at The Bell House we’d now like to present you with the coup d’etat, a fantastic smattering of bands performing May 10th at The Bell House. As follows:

Chairlift “Evident Utensil”

Takka Takka “Silence”

Angel Deradoorian on the Inlets’ Take-Away Show for “Roots on Sidewalks”

The Secret Life of Sophia at SXSW 2009

Are you convinced yet? Go get your tickets. And don’t forget to give Jack and Melissa a high-5 when you arrive.

The Deli’s Best of NYC Festival, May 6th- 10th
Chairlift, Crystal Stilts, The Secret Life of Sofia, Takka Takka, as well as $99 Music Videos bff’s Lowry are just a few of the bands playing, at venues such as Southpaw, The Bell House, and Joe’s Pub in NYC. $99 Music Videos is an official media partner for the festival, so we will be there, in person, projecting music videos between sets. Come say hi!

Today’s “In the Spirit” video: Stars and Sons

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:47:58 EDT

Today’s “In the Spirit” video is Matthew Anstee’s low-budget music video for the single ‘In the Ocean’ by Brighton based STARS AND SONS.

Matthew tells us that the video was filmed with the lead singers (Mike Lord) Dad’s DV camera for practically nothing. “A veritable Michel Gondry-on-a-shoestring freak-fest” Paul Lester - The Guardian.

This video totally rocks! So does the band!

Confessions of a Music Video n00b

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:41:00 EDT

During a recent NYC trip, I had the pleasure of getting a peek into what happens during a $99 Music Video shoot. As the San Francisco-based community manager, I get to help with the finished product so it was quite a treat to get to sit in on an actual music video shoot. I even ended up with a cameo in this week’s Neil Halstead music video, albeit my acting chops clearly sub-par. That coffee barista at 0:37, yup, that’s me. I was trying to look surprised.

During the shoot, it was interesting to read the music video treatment and see how the director and producers went through their list of shots, capuring each in their desired assortment of angles, whether it be a close-up of someones face or a more panoramic shot. It was also pretty cool seeing how easy some of the special effects, like the ghost walking through walls, were actually rather simple to shoot. Take video of the ghost walking through the open door. Take more video of just the door, closed. Edit it afterwards. Boom. Impressive effect.

One thing that managed to catch me by surprise was that for every $99 Music Video, there is a second camera filming bits for the Making Of episode. So not only is the director filming for the music video, but he’s also being filmed for the making of, which I believe makes for a very self-aware film shoot!

All in all, a great experience. Next time you see a twitter about $99 Music Videos shooting somewhere in New York, GO! Because you’ll get to watch the magic in the making and who knows, maybe you’ll even get a two second piece of $99 Music Videos history.

And hey, even though I won’t be there, if you’re in the NYC area between May 6-10, you should definitly go to at least one (or all!) of the shows for The Deli’s Best of NYC Festival. I’m more than a little jealous of all the talented bands performing. So go say hi to Jack and Melissa!

(April)

Notes from the Director: Chris Piazza on "Elevenses"

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:11:11 EDT

For the video I did with Neil Halstead, we definitely scraped by on a series of soft bribes – for instance, I drove my friend Matt to the beer depot to pick up a keg for his party and, in exchange, he agreed to be an extra in the video.

But aside cashing in all the owed favors from everyone that I know, my special effects designer (and all around wizard) Jayel Draco and I definitely had a few low-budget tricks up our sleeves from our years working together on video projects. Jayel was eager to show me this live-action animation technique he’s been honing on another gig for a while. Using After Effects, he was showing me how he could “nudge” live action footage to exaggerate things like facial expressions and body movements – think the “Black Hole Sun” video but less 90s. So when I was coming up with the concept for Neil’s video, I really wanted to find a way to use that. I felt like giving a really cheap-o looking ghost some really expressive (and blinking!) eyes could look pretty neat and, if I do say so myself, the final product IS pretty neat. I love the idea of throwing a lot of subtle special effects into videos – especially if it’s a mixture of animation (like the eyes) and compositing (like the ghost walking through the girl’s bedroom door) or old-fashioned camera tricks (like the split screen at the end to “eliminate” the ghost’s reflection from the mirror. I feel like the best special effects are the ones that you DON’T notice – personally, I get numb looking at an all CG action sequence. So when I make a video, even if it’s only for $99, I like to mix it up, keep the audience on their toes, asking “how’d they do that?”

PS: How great is the Project Jenny, Project Jan video for “Junk”? Kathleen, Kit, the crew, the dancers and the band totally rocked that one.

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: Garage Dance Party

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:30:01 EDT

Before Dawn is two people. Who apparently have a great music video idea and can execute near flawlessly. Their music has a bit of a Von Iva feeling to it, which makes me dance in my chair. The only regret for this video is not having been invited to the raging dance party.

About the music video: The theme of “Drowning” is the eruption of a spontaneous dance party in a suburban home garage. We spent most of $99 on refreshments for the dancers so they would let loose a bit.

Band - Kate and Rob Houle
Director - Rocky Hopson
Camera - Chris Gibson

Music Video Roundup #5: Passion Pit, Crystal Stilts, Wave Machines, Blank Dogs

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:32:48 EDT

There seems to be an accidental common theme in this music video roundup. Most of these videos look like they took FOREVER. They also don't really involve any straight up images of the band. And I'm pretty sure each of them involves paper, whether drawing on it, cutting it up or ripping it up. And who are we to complain? Because each one of these music videos are notable in their own quirky way.

Motionographer: Moray McLaren "We Got Time"

Artistry. That's all I could think about upon viewing this one. In a little known technique, the filmmaker David Wilson, uses animation and a praxinoscope (???). Not only is it a lovely and intriguing music video, but the making of "We Got Time" is pretty entertaining as well. There's nothing better than an awesome Making Of video.

The Fader: Passion Pit "The Reeling"

There aren't many places this music video hasn't been and for good reason. 1- the band is hitting critical point for popularity 2- because their music is so much fun 3- and because they make great, entertaining music videos like this one.

TyWhite: Wave Machines "The Greatest Escape We Ever Made"

Another time consuming, hand cramping and totally awesome music video from a band whose music I rather enjoy. It's funky in a non-groovy way.

Nialler9: The 202s "Ease My Mind"

While I would never want to take the time to draw something like this in a phone book, again and again, I certainly respect anyone with the cajones to sit themselves down and animate the heck out of something otherwise very boring. Unless you're the Rainman.

And as you've been hearing, we're media partners with The Deli for their Best of NYC Fest. It's only fitting that this week's music video roundup also have some great videos from bands performing at The Bell House on Friday, May 8th. So enjoy a taste, circle the date on your calendar and get yourself some tickets. It's gonna be a GREAT show.

Crystal Stilts "Prismatic Room"

Blank Dogs "Setting Fire To Your House"

Religious Knives "Downstairs" live at The Echo Curio

Dinowalrus "BEAD (flashback)"

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: I Want to Get Away

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:38:00 EDT

It’s never surprising when two talented people get together and make something beautiful. So when we watched the music video for “Get Away” by Andrew & Julia, the well done production and soulful ballad made sense to us to feature in our “In the Spirit” of $99 Music Videos. It’s slow and smooth like honey and has achieved a specific look without spending a lot of time or money. Which is something we obviously love. So thanks Andrew and Julie, for bringing us this awesome music video. You make it look easy!

About Get Away (from Andrew's submission): My friend Julia and I produced this song and video entirely by ourselves over a 24 hour period with no crew assistance and no budget. Costumes were our own, and we shot at a beach town nearby (Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada). "Get Away" is the third in our series of music videos that we have produced by ourselves. We embody the essence of "99 Dollar (or less) Music Videos".

Music produced with Logic Pro. Camera is Canon HF10. Editing done on Final Cut Pro.

Andrew Gunadie & Julia Bentley - lyrics & music
Andrew Gunadie - editing

The Depreciation Guild Play Tonight!

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:06:07 EDT

For all of you who are in NYC, The Depreciation Guild is playing tonight at The Bell House.

For all of you who aren’t in NYC today, check out their album In Her Gentle Jaws. If you love it, you can download it for free.

We’ll be at the show so come out and say hi!

NYC Bands! Get your video shown at The Deli's Best of NYC Festival

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:31:58 EDT

$99 Music Videos and the Deli are putting together a collection of videos by NYC artists that will be projected in between bands during the nights of The Deli’s Best of NYC Fest (May 6-10) There is room for 3 more videos - one of them could be yours! Here's how! All “proper” videos in youtube format submitted to The Deli’s Open Blog Channel before April 24th will be considered for projection during the Deli Fest (VIDEOS OF LIVE SHOWS WON’T QUALIFY!).

By submitting your video you’ll also enter in a competition to win a Line 6 Pod Studio GX! More info about this here. If you're in NYC, come out to see the shows. There are so many awesome bands and we'd love to meet u!

PJPJ Fan Mail

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:10:40 EDT

A fan sent this to Project Jenny, Project Jan. We thought you’d enjoy it. We did!

The Fan wrote: “was shopping on broadway yesterday and came across this shirt by ‘junk de luxe’ thought you might enjoy. ps - note the price!”

The Deli's Best of NYC Festival - May 6-10

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:01:31 EDT

Q: What are you doing May 6 - 10?

A: Nothing?

Wrong! You’ll be hanging with us at The Deli’s Best of NYC Festival!

Chairlift, Crystal Stilts, The Secret Life of Sofia, Takka Takka, as well as $99 Music Videos bff’s Lowry are just a few of the bands playing, at venues such as Southpaw, The Bell House, and Joe’s Pub.

The Deli is a magazine and website exclusively focused on the NYC music scene, with a focus on emerging music. The festival features live performances from some of the top artists in The Deli’s Best of NYC 2008 Poll.

$99 Music Videos is an official media partner for the festival, so we will be there, in person, projecting music videos between sets.

So what are you waiting for? Click the link. Check out the shows. Buy your tickets!

See you there!

Music Video Roundup #4: Moby, Mia Riddle, Kaiser Cartel, Lowry

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:23:00 EDT

Aside from the usual suspects, we’re featuring not just awesome music videos released this week but also awesome music videos from bands that are playing The Deli’s Best of NYC Festival in a few weeks. Check it…

Stereogum: Moby “Shot in the Back of the Head”

We dig floating heads. We also dig David Lunch. And Moby. So together, this is a whole big beautiful mess of a music video.

MBV: Empire of the Sun “Walking on a Dream”

While it wasn’t actually released within the last week, it was brought to our attention within the week. Considering ourselves very observant, it was surprising that this one slipped by. Better later than never, eh? Now this is a band that has their kooky image down pat, and it works for ‘em!

Rhett and Link cover The Jefferson’s “Movin’ On Up”

Also not a typical feature but even though this one was released this week, it’s a cover of a television show theme song! Let just say Leaf Trombone, you watch it, and we’ll leave the awesomeness at that.

And now for the SPECIAL FEATURE! This nice assortment of bands all have one thing in comon. They’ll be playing together on May 6th at Southpaw in Brooklyn. Based on the rockin’ music videos alone, this is poised to be a killer show. We’ll be there. These bands will be there. So go buy your tickets!

Mia Riddle “Open Wide”

Kaiser Cartel “Oh No”

The King Left “The Storm in a Tea Cup”

April Smith “Bright White Jackets”

Elizabeth and the Catapult “Last Opus”

Lowry “Whiskey”

Notes from the Director: Kathleen Grace on Project Jenny, Project Jan

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:40:14 EDT

Jack and Melissa asked me to explain how spam, twitter, and Windows95 pop-ups play into "Junk." So not get all post modern mind f***, I see my laptop as a fourth screen that I digest (iphone, tv, cinema). It's another window from which I see the world. With the advent of Twitter and the endless update, I found my windows being broken- in the middle of the night on my phone because my friend was on a quest in Tel Aviv. So many 140 character updates were crowding out the real story. So when I heard Junk and the lyrics:

Spiders in my mailbox
Spiders in my bed
Sick of killing all these spiders in my head
They keep me up all night
I try to kill them in my sleep

It reminded me of the frantic feeling I get from these updates. Then I wanted to make them organic and come alive. I wanted them to attack us. Hence the dancers. Oh and the milk...that is longer story.

Featured tweets are from:
@epicfu
@zadi
@caseymckinnon
@newteevee
@rocketboom
@andrewbaron
@feliciaday
@mdfsmash
@sarahcooley
@sharonfeder
@savvyauntie
@kathrynjones
@iJustine
@scobelizer

In the Spirit of $99 Music Videos: It's Cartoon Time!

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:07:19 EDT

Both of the featured music videos for this week have something blaringly obvious in common. They are both animated. They are both awesome. And neither one particularly follows the $99 Music Video rules. But we can't help ourselves. AMY! by the Toilet Cartoon Shower Band and Fearless by Migrating Birds are therefore perfect canidates for our "In the Spirit" award.

In no particular order, let's discuss their various merits. AMY! features just about the cutest bathtub band this side of the Mississppi and the adorable bathtime pals look and sound like a wee Weezer band. The goo, the drain, what's not to love? As for Fearless, this music video features the cartoon duo Boxhead and Roundhead. It was expanded from another clip and its fun to join Boxhead and Roundhead on their adventure. Bravo, my good animators!

About AMY!:

A cartoon band consisting of animated bathroom products performs over live action footage (Roger Rabbit Style) of one of the more disgusting looking bathrooms in a prewar Greenwich Village apartment. Complete with animated germ puddles which come to life and wreak havoc as the band tries to perform.

Directed, animated, composed, performed, edited and filmed by Pete Scalzitti

About Fearless:

An animation by Elliot Cowan to Migrating Birds song Fearless. It was made for $400 dollars ( but if you squint really hard it looks like $99 ).

Directed by Elliot Cowan

This week’s $99 Music Video band, Project Jenny, Project...

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:39:00 EDT

This week’s $99 Music Video band, Project Jenny, Project Jan, has some very big news today (besides the release of their Making Of ‘Junk’, of course). It just so happens that this wily duo have a brand new release out today called The Colors EP. What’s it got in it, you ask? This collborative effort features Project Jenny, Project Jan working with their esteemed buddies Fujiya & Miyagi, fellow $99 Music Videos band Mixel Pixel, So Percussion, Adam Matta, Clack Singles Club and vocalists Katie Hasty of Numbers and Letters and Kellie Rae Powell.

Watch below for an idea for the level of music video perigree these guys have already achieved with their music video for ‘Pins and Needles,’ the song collboration with Fujiya & Miyagi. Just wait til you see what they’ve got up their sleeves this Thursday as they premiere a $99 music Video for ‘Junk’.

If this wasn’t enough to convince you to go pick it up, a percentage of the EP sales will be going to the 826NY Organization, so go get one for you and a friend.

Plus...

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:38:00 GMT