A Cool Stick releases video for “Water”

With a minimal budget and a so-crazy-it-just-might-work concept from director Mikey Van Beuren,  A Cool Stick has stepped up their game with the release of “Water”, the first single from their debut album, Bird’s Eye View. Frontman Luke O’Brien answered a few questions for us.

Who came up with the concept?
Basically, Mikey and myself and the ACS guys wanted to make something that was different as far as a rap video goes, and something that we were proud of. The song itself, “walking on water” becomes a metaphor for fame, glory, or having “made it” in the music industry. “The look of the pavement” is where I am now. Although I love my position and see this all as part of the ride, at times I feel vulnerable, and extremely human. However, where I can envision myself high stepping on H20. But, no matter what gets thrown at me; fame (blue) money (gold) or women (red) I will remain “grounded and well rounded”… the final scenes are of myself, immersed in the water, and when you look close there are “demons” or negative influences closing in on me. It is the same regime that kidnapped me in the beginning of the video and represents The Industry. I break free from the ropes and it is assumed that I escape these demons and maintain my values like love, passion, family, true friends, and good music… Or will I??? deep right?

Mikey played a big role in conceptualizing which was really cool because he took that away from the song and brought it to me. Mikey is not just a great person but an amazing videographer. He’s passionate, insanely talented, and currently living in Brooklyn doing what he loves; video. Check out some of his other work in his vimeo page.

What was the budget / total cost?
The only major cost for the whole thing was an underwater camera rental from borrowlense.com. that cost us $400 but I think it was well worth it. That was used in all the shots during the bridge. The verses and such were done in a more gorilla fashion and involved fish tanks, LED lights, gaff tape, food dye, weights, and sandwich baggies… and a bunch of other shit…. Film professor’s would have been proud of us. So the total was roughly $437.56 and a lot of well spent time and energy.

What comes to mind when you hear the song now?
People have told me the video is kind of “scary” and “out there” and I think that is true. The song is definitely on a positive note but I love doing something visually that is unexpected and still meaningful and relevant. I still hear and feel the same message when I listen to the song. I hope that this video gives the song more exposure because I think the concept of staying true to who you are and knowing your roots is universal and I think we captured that in both the video and audio. Glad you like!

A Cool Stick
Website | Facebook

A Cool Stick returns to The Grape Room on Friday, March 2. Also performing that night: Ditto Demi, New West, Sunshine Superman and James Suit.

The Tressels: WMMR’s Artist of the Month

From WMMR.com:
“It’s Jaxon’s Local Shots Podcast! Here’s another one from January’s Local Shots Artist of the Month – The Tressels! It’s Tell Me a Secret, the 4th track off their new album American Sunset. The band is from Drexel Hill, PA. You can catch them when they play The Grape Room Friday, February 10th. Check out our Artist of the Month page HERE for a bio, streaming music, photos and more from The Tressels. You can also ‘pay what you like’ for their new album American Sunset HERE. Enjoy!”

The Tressels will return to The Grape Room on Friday, February 10. Also performing: The Kalob Griffin Band, Johnny Action Figure, Andrew Jude and Matt Spitko.

‘You, Me, Them, Everybody’ with host Brandon Wetherbee stops in Philly

‘You, Me, Them, Everybody’ with host Brandon Wetherbee stopped by The Grape Room on Saturday, January 21. In front of a live studio (er, 2nd floor) audience, Wetherbee riffs about Philadelphia and other topical nuggets. Guest interviews with local author Doogie Horner, local comedian Carolyn Busa (her recent performance at The Grape Room was excellent, FYI) and The War on Drugs guitarist Robbie Bennett.

Check out the show HERE.

Help a Local Musician Fighting Breast Cancer

In recent months our good friend, guitarist Marisa Salazar from Da Rezarekt, has been fighting breast cancer. For only .99 (or more if wish to donate more), you can download the new track, “Fight” by Da Rezarekt. All proceeds will go to Marisa who’s financial well-being has also been compromised courtesy of her inability to work at this time. Please help. We know that you can.
Download here: www.darezarekt.bandcamp.com

One Of Philly’s Best Kept Secrets – Curt Chambers

From philly360.com:
“His guitar can be heard on various projects with artists like Anthony Hamilton, Ledisi, Heather Headly, Musiq Souldchild, Jaheim and Eminem.  He is a part of the elite–but not elitist–crew of Philly musicians who grew up musically at an event/movement called the Black Lily, which was a weekly show that gave a stage to new artists like Jazmine Sullivan at age 13, Jaguar Wright, Kindred the Family Soul and too many more to mention.”

Read more HERE.

Rock Ridge Music Taking Hotel Carolina To Philly

From antimusic.com:
Rock Ridge Music is expanding the Hotel Carolina brand by starting an new event weekend scheduled to take place at the Grape Room in Philadelphia on January 27 and 28, 2012.

Like the original South Carolina event (which has taken over The Windjammer on Isle of Palms for three years in a row in late summer), the Philadelphia event will feature the best in touring singer-songwriters.

Read more HERE.

Hymn for Her: Hometown Show This Saturday

From phillyburbs.com:
For months, they’ve been calling anywhere they can park their 6-foot long, 1961 vintage Bambi Airstream (complete with dog and baby) home.

But on Dec. 10, Lucy Tight & Wayne Waxing, otherwise known as the duo Hymn For Her, will truly be home as they return to Philadelphia to perform at the Grape Room.

The multi-instrumentalists formed their duo in the City of Brotherly, looking to ply a sound they’ve dubbed “stomp-grass punk folk with a hint of Americana.” Lucy plays a three-stringed broom handle/cigar box guitar, banjo and sometimes even a glockenspiel as she shares vocal duties with Wayne, who also plays acoustic guitar, banjo, dobro, and/or harmonica all while handling percussion on bass drum and hi-hat.

Read more HERE.

Danny Newport: Computer In My Pocket

Danny Newport has been an open mic night fixture at The Grape Room since almost the beginning. So much so, he even steps in as host once in a while. Newport, who usually starts the night off with a Long Island Iced Tea, will become everyone’s welcomed friend before taking his turn on stage. In recent months, he and Zach Lentine (aka Inner Astronaut) have been collaborating on a new song, Computer In My Pocket. The duo have just released the official video.

Danny Newport’s ‘Power of Love’ remix of doom:

Big Fat Marker more than a funny name

From nj.com:
Band names run the gamut from simple to complex to mysterious.

But one local group’s name can be catagorized as comical.

Big Fat Marker — a name which came about during a “very intoxicated conversation” — was the result of indecision, said Keith Colella, vocalist and guitar player for the band.

“We couldn’t decide on a band name for months, and Big Fat Marker just stood out and we all liked it,” said Keith Colella. “It eventually ended up as a lyric in one of our songs, ‘Timelines.’”

Colella and band mates Kyle Jaep on vocals, keyboard, guitar; drummer/percussionist Tad Lecuyer; Keith’s brother bassist Andrew Colella who also adds vocals and plays the cello and singer Emily Costantino, a multi-instrumentalist who joined the guys in the summer of 2010 make up the band’s self-described sound of “indie folk-rock — characterized by tight vocal harmonies over ringing guitar lines and driving rhythms.”

“Also, it’s awesome,” added Keith.

Big Fat Marker was created when Constantino joined the ranks, and since that time, the group has been performing and recording. They will release their official EP “Timelines,” Saturday at The Grape Room in Philadelphia.

Read more HERE.

A Cool Stick: Bird’s Eye View EP available for free download

A Cool Stick would like you to know all the words to their new jams for when they play The Grape Room on Wednesday, November 23. Check out their freshly minted EP, Bird’s Eye View here.

Also performing on November 23: Grind City, Rowboat Casino (featuring Sib from Spanish Blue), Justin Phillippi and Keystoned (unplugged).