Drive-By Truckers - 'Ramon Casiano' (Live at Electric Lady Studios)

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At heart, Drive-By Truckers have always been a political group.

Sure, sometimes those sentiments have been rather oblique, but the American band have always rallied against the status quo.

New album 'American Band' makes this explicit - rallying in favour of the dis-possessed, the forgotten elements of American society, the band take a swipe at the political class and point towards a rich liberal tradition in the United States.

A powerful work, Patterson Hood explains that the album "is a sort of rock and roll call to arms as well as a musical reset button for our band and the country we live in.

Most of all, we look at it as the beginnings of some conversations that we, as a people very much need to begin having if we ever hope to break through the divisions that are threatening to tear us apart."

A plea for unity amid times of division, the material has been accompanied by some searing live performances. Drive-By Truckers have announced a string of UK dates, with Vivid able to share a new live clip ahead of this.

'Ramon Casiano' is a stirring, passionate, emotive piece of music, its title referencing the 15 year old boy killed almost 50 years ago by future NRA leade Harlon Carter.

Laid down live at Electric Lady Studios, this is the perfect way to catch Drive-By Truckers - visceral, and with a righteous cause billowing beneath their wings. Tune in now.

Catch Drive-By Truckers at the following shows:

March
1 Manchester O2 Ritz
2 Bristol Anson Rooms
3 London Roundhouse
4 Brighton Concorde 2

Foreign Fields - 'Correct Me'

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At some point in life, we will all experience grief.

It's natural, but that doesn't make it pleasant - it will always be a difficult event to process.

Foreign Fields will release new album 'Take Cover' on October 28th, with the duo taking their sound a little deeper.

They explain: "Making this album marked a shift in our approach with Foreign Fields. While our inspiration had derived heavily in the past from broad natural landscapes and lush dreamy moments this material felt more insular, more direct. We moved our focus away from big, lavish tones into a tighter, more percussive, more constrained sound."

Alongside the album, Foreign Fields have been involved in crafting a new video series, focussing on the four stages of grief.

Using their music to explore some often quite difficult feelings, the production pair have pushed themselves further than ever.

Vivid is able to premiere Pt. 4 - tune in below.

Arkells "My Heart's Always Yours"

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Arkells are once again highlighting a segment from their Morning Report, this time via a new video for "My Heart's Always Yours."

Sorry, no, Drake's dad does not make an appearance, but it is still a dramatic set of visuals. They come courtesy of Alyssa Pankiw (from media company Young Astronauts), and Arkells Max Kerman had this to say about the band's latest clip:


Making a video for a romantic song is hard. If you're not careful it'll quickly turn in to the trailer for A Walk to Remember. We loved (director) Ally's previous work, and when she pitched a treatment that was more abstract and less on the nose, we were immediately drawn to the idea. There's a visceral experience about being in an art gallery that I really enjoy. A lot of great art doesn't serve it right up to you - you have to patiently take it in and then unpack your feelings. That's what the video offers — it gives me the feels without any trite nods to romantic nostalgia.

You can watch how it all plays out below, where you'll also find all Arkells' upcoming tour dates.

Tour dates:

10/06 Detroit, MI - Saint Andrews Hall^
10/11 Rochester, NY - Main Street Armory^
10/12 Boston, MA - The Royale^
10/14 Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore^
10/15 New York, NY - Playstation Theatre^
10/16 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory^
10/18 Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel^
10/20 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
10/27 Athens, GA - The Georgia Theatre*
10/28 Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater*
10/29 Morgantown, WV - Mainstage*
10/30 Norfolk, VA - The NorVa*
10/31 Wilmington, DE - World Café Live @ The Queen*
11/02 Albany, NY - Upstate Concert Theater*
11/03 Ithaca, NY - The Haunt*
11/04 Toronto, ON - Massey Hall **
11/05 Toronto, ON - Massey Hall **
11/11 Detroit, MI - Magic Bag
11/12 Chicago, IL - Subterranean
11/13 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
11/23 Hamburg, GER - Molotow
11/24 Berlin, GER - PBHF Club
11/26 Munich, GER - Strom
11/27 Cologne, GER - Luxor
11/29 London, UK - Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen
11/30 Manchester, UK - Gullivers
12/02 Glasgow, UK - Broadcast
12/09 Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
12/10 Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
 
* supporting Frank Turner
^ supporting KONGOS
** with Frank Turner supporting

Amber Coffman "All to Myself"

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Though Dirty Projectors apparently have some new music to give the fans, longtime vocalist Amber Coffman is also ready to reveal some music of her own. Fittingly enough for a solo track, the singer/guitarist has just released a vintage pop-style ballad "All to Myself," which comes from a new solo album called City of No Reply.

The video first finds a solemn looking Coffman contemplating what's going on in her life and not wanting to feel blue. "I want to be swallowed up in an ocean of love," she offers up at some point, the vid being a bit on the nose as it presents Coffman facing the open waves.

The mood picks up by song's end, and you can see how down below.

"For anyone who's ever found themselves uncomfortably restless, sad and alone, or even temporarily doubting themselves and their dreams, this is a mantra, a pep talk, a love song to yourself," Coffman said in a statement. "It's a song you can slow dance by yourself to without feeling funny if there's no one else there. A small reminder not to spend too much time fretting and just to get out there, live your life and do what makes you happy."

Coffman directed the song's video, which was shot by Jake Magee.

Coffman's "All to Myself" is available digitally now through Columbia. At this point, it's unclear when City of No Reply will see release.

Skye Wallace "Blood Moon" / "Mean Song 2"

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Lining up eerily well with the arrival of Halloween, Vancouver songstress Skye Wallace will unleash a new album titled Something Wicked on October 29. Before the album arrives in its entirety, though, you can get a glimpse at two new tracks from the forthcoming LP and their accompanying music videos.
 
The album was recorded with producer Jim Bryson and offers up two distinct styles of storytelling on Side A and Side B. The first half bursts out of the gate with intense, catchy and upbeat numbers like "Blood Moon," while the flip side takes things in a darker direction with softer, slower vibes like those heard on "Mean Song 2."

 
Throughout the entire album, Wallace exudes a punk rock attitude atop folk-based foundations, sprinkling in influences from genres as wide-ranging as '60s psych, doo-wop and good ol' country.
 
Her unique sound has now been matched with equally eccentric and captivating video clips. "Blood Moon" is awash in blood-red lighting as a witch-like woman casts a spell over Wallace. "Mean Song 2" picks up where "Blood Moon" leaves off, finding the singer waking up next to the witch, who has seemingly been robbed of her powers. Wallace and a couple of accomplices indulge in pizza and tarot readings before dressing up the witch and taking a round of selfies with her.
 
Get in on the spooky fun by watching the videos for "Blood Moon" and "Mean Song 2" below.
 

 

Goat "Union of Mind and Soul"

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To borrow a phrase from Goat's "Union of Mind and Soul," it's time to "open your mind" and watch the free-spirited visuals the Swedish group have put together for their latest Requiem preview.

The video is scored by a flute-heavy, distortion-spiralling strum-out that urges us all to tap into our inner zen. As for the video, it finds one woman taking on a spirit journey of biking along highways and practicing her archery skills.


You can check it out below, while Goat's Requiem arrives October 7 through Sub Pop in North America. Standard Records issues the set in Scandinavia, while Rocket Recordings handles the release in the rest of the world.

Pixies "Um Chagga Lagga"

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Pixies returned with their latest LP Head Carrier last week, and now the group have unveiled some accompanying visuals for the previously shared single "Um Chagga Lagga."

 
The clip marks frontman Black Francis's directorial debut, and he went all in for it — taking on the role of writing, storyboarding, producing and directing the video. Described in a press release as "part concept, part performance," the clip juxtaposes black and white footage of the band playing with much more colourful shots of a red dress and feather boa-sporting lady trying to hitch a ride and turn a trick at the side of the road.

 
Watch the video for "Um Chagga Lagga" below. Head Carrier is out now via Pixiesmusic/Play It Again Sam.
 

FLIPTRIX (freestyle)

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The freestyle sits at the heart of any rapper's repertoire.

Sure, you might go off in the rave, but unless you can lock yourself inside a booth and spray then the game is, frankly, bust.

High Focus label-head Fliptrix has always kept this in mind, always been aware that no matter where his art takes him he needs to maintain a link to his roots.

So, with new album 'Patterns Of Escapism' set to drop on November 25th (pre-order LINK), he's done exactly that.

The rapper has recorded a new freestyle, a confident display of technique and execution, alongside some of that trademark wit.

Laced with inventive and barely contained energy, the clip is as raw as they come. Recorded in collaboration with HF TV, you can check it out below.

Related: 7 Of The Best - New Voices In UK Hip-Hop

Sneaks - 'Tough Luck'

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Washington D.C. artist Sneaks' debut album 'Gymnastics' seemed to bowl over everyone who heard it.

Literally packed with ideas, the LP lasts a mere 14 minutes but fuses skeletal post-punk with more pop melodies that you could shake your bootie to.

Merge have stepped in for a full re-issue, with 'Gymnastics' set to hit record racks all over again from November 11th.

Addictive album cut 'Tough Luck' has received the visual treatment, with director Jamie Wolfe crafting a cool-as-hell animated clip.

He explains: "The video is built out of a series of vignettes, each directly playing off the repetition and rhythm in Eva’s beats. Each frame is hand-painted in sumi ink, and then colored digitally. At the beginning, I listened to the song on repeat, and painted whatever came to mind. Tons of morphy dancing bodies and gestural, abstracting forms. I animated my favourites."

Tune in below.

Photo Credit: Timothy R. Mahoney

Garbage "Magnetized"

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Garbage returned with their latest LP Strange Little Birds earlier this year, and now album cut "Magnetized" has been given the music video treatment.
 
The clip comes after visual interpretations of "Empty" and "Even Though Our Love Is Doomed," and was filmed by director Scott Stuckey at Pancake Mountain headquarters in Los Angeles. The absurdist, sci-fi tinged story delves into the wonders of science and the supernatural making for a creepy, colourful and totally magnetizing viewing experience.

 
"We wanted to create an ode to the magic of science and the mysteries of love," singer Shirley Manson said in a statement.

 
Watch that vision come to life below. Strange Little Birds is out now through STUNVOLUME.
 

Ancient Shapes (Daniel Romano) "Fearless Death Tomorrow"

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Daniel Romano made sure to bring out unrelenting drums and brazen guitars as Ancient Shapes earlier this summer, and in a new video for album cut "Fearless Death Tomorrow," something a little more strange has come out of the sky.


The short clip, shot entirely in sepia, finds a group of mermaids awaking on a rocky shoreline. While fishing in the water, a pterodactyl-like creature crashes into the sea, with the group taking it ashore before hurling rocks at it.

Take in the video for the rocking tune in the player below.

Adam Hanney & Co. "Cede"

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Winnipeg's Adam Hanney & Co.'s last video arrived as a two-parter for"Howl" and "Howl Pt. 2," and now the band are set to unveil some fresh visuals for another cut off of 12/12.
 
This time it's "Cede" that's been treated to some fancy camera work, capturing the band's on- and offstage outings along Canada's West Coast from earlier this year. Fans on the other side of the country will soon be able to take in the sights and sounds of Adam Hanney & Co.'s live show for themselves, as the band will be taking their music on tour further east this fall.
 
Find the full list of upcoming gigs listed below, then hit play to check out the video premiere for "Cede."

 
Tour dates:
 
10/12 Winnipeg, MB - The Good Will Social Club
10/14 Regina, SK - Creative City Center (BreakOut West)
10/15 Regina, SK - Crave (BreakOut West)
10/26 Thunder Bay, ON - The Foundry*
10/27 Sault Ste Marie, ON - Loplops*
10/28 North Bay, ON - Raven & Republic*
10/29 Ottawa, ON - Avante-Garde Bar*
10/30 Montreal, QC - Brasserie Beaubien*
11/02 Halifax, NS - Gus's Pub*
11/03 Charlottetown, PEI - Baba's Lounge*
11/05 Kingston, ON - Clark Hall*
11/06 Hamilton, ON - The Casbah*
11/07 Toronto, ON - Smiling Buddha
11/10 Regina, SK - Artful Dodger*
 
* supporting The Tourist Company
 

JACK GARRATT ft. Little Simz "Far Cry"

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‘FAR CRY’

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Jack Garratt teams up with North London wordsmith Little Simz for the brand new music video to their joint effort entitled ‘Far Cry’.

This track is something special as the pair confess their feelings and identify their flaws as they seek something deeper.

‘Far Cry’ is taken from Jack’s ‘Phase’ album – released during the first quater of the year, but the original doesn’ seem to feature the fenominal verse from Little Simz, regardless enjoy the video and go get the album if you feel this!

The Dirty Nil - 'Friends In The Sky'

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Canadian group The Dirty Nil owe their superlative chops to one thing, and one thing only - relentless practise sessions in a basement in their Dundas, ON hometown.

But those sessions tended to be driven by their sheer love of music, their lust for simply cranking up the amps and kicking out the jams.

Debut album 'Higher Power' was a hi-octane introduction, all fizzing pop hooks matched to dirty punk riffing.

Out now, the band have their sights set on the UK, announcing a string of European dates that will showcase their lean, taut, gripping live show.

Before that, Vivid is able to premiere the video for 'Friends In The Sky'. The clip is a homage to The Who's (in)famous debut appearance on American television, where they verbally (and literally) tore apart The Smothers Brothers.

The Dirty Nil's Luke Bentham comments: "Can silver pants from China give you cancer? I don't know. What I can tell you however, is that speaker cones will catch fire if you subject them to the business end of a smoke grenade."

Check it out now.

Catch The Dirty Nil at the following shows:

November
17 London The Macbeth