Divine Revelation Or Holy Terror? Lady Gaga's "Judas " Video

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Lady Gaga's new clip for her single "Judas" was set to premiere today on the E! Channel. Fortunately (for us anyway) it's leaked about eight hours early. Much tongue wagging has been made of the video's religious subject matter, as Gaga takes on the role of Mary Magdalene and sings of her love for the treacherous Judas.

When talking about the clip and its concept, the singer explained  "Well the video, in essence, suggests that [pauses] forgiveness and betrayal are hand in hand and that... how do I say this? The video puts destiny above all things and postures that the mistakes in your life are in fact not mistakes at all, they are just part of your overarching potential and your destiny."

"I want to allow the video to speak for itself but I will say that the theme of the video and the way that I wanted to aesthetically portray the story was as a motorcycle Fellini movie where the apostles are revolutionaries in a modern-day Jerusalem," she said. "And I play Mary Magdalene leading them into the town where we meet Jesus and I will leave the rest for you to see. But it's meant more to celebrate faith than it is to challenge it."

Personally I feel that the video is good, but not great. It contains many Gaga motifs--surreal theatrics, over-the-top outfits, garish makeup, dancers (the lipstick gun gets a definite thumbs up)--but the whole product doesn't come off with a bang the way previous epics like "Paparazzi," "Bad Romance," "Telephone" or "Born This Way" did. Casting the disciples as a modern-day biker gang  was a nice twist, but she should have scrapped the dance sequences and concentrated more on the overall storyline, which could have provided some great visual scenes. Perhaps the fact the video was being filmed on the same stage as Janet Jackson's "Escapade" inspired her to bust a move.

But a good Gaga video is still better than 85 to 90 percent of other music clips that are out there, so it's definitely worth watching. Maybe when the uncut version premieres later today, it'll contain some new surprises. Watch "Judas" HERE.

Versis: "Slow Down"

When comes to sex, many rappers broach the subject with lurid tales of menage`a trois, endless one night stands and other assorted stories of groupie love. Versis takes a more nuanced, lyrically dexterous approach to love and sex with the track "Slow Down," from his album. iLLCANDESCENT  While not denying  there's some ladies "that he wouldn't mind beseeching" he's also aware of the potential consequences of thinking with the wrong head. Watch the video for song below.


Versis "Slow Down" from JeromeD.com on Vimeo.

WATCH: Beyonce's New Video Teaser For "Run The World (Girls)"

Beyonce has released another visual morsel from her upcoming video epic "Run The World (Girls)" for fans to salivate over. Watch the short clip below. Another B-Day seems to be upon us.....

Vandaveer Drops "Dig Down Deep" Video, Kicks Off Spring Tour

Washington D.C.'s own Vandaveer have released a new video for their single "Dig Down Deep." Filmed in Long Island, NY in the freezing January cold with collaborators Pierre Dejon and Just Philippot, who also shot the band's previous clip for "The Nature Of Our Kind," the video follows the band on a trek towards the sea.

The brainchild of alt-folk musician Mark Charles Heidinger, Vandaveer features a revolving cast of musicians and singers, with vocalist Rose Guerin as the sole mainstay. The results of this musical melting pot can be heard on Dig Down Deep, the group's third album released late last month. Churning rhythms, piano and steady guitar provide a melodic backdrop for stories of war, loss and love.

Vandaveer is also in midst of an extensive U.S. tour, which kicked off yesterday in Boston. Watch the "Dig Down Deep" video and view the list of tour date below.




05/03: Boston, MA @ TT The Bears #
05/04: New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall #
05/05: New Hope, PA @ Triumph Brewery #
05/06: Brooklyn, NY @ The Rock Shop #
05/07: Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillobox #
05/10: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern #
05/11: Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle #
05/12: Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop #
05/13: Newport, KY @ Parlour @ The Southgate House #
05/14: Lexington, KY @ Natasha's #
05/15: Louisville, KY @ Uncle Slaytons #
05/16: Nashville, TN @ The Basement #
05/17: Winston-Salem, NC @ Krankies # *
05/18: Roanoke, VA @ Kirk Ave Music Hall #
05/19: Richmond, VA @ Sound Of Music Studios #^
05/20: Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar #
05/21: Washington, DC @ IOTA #
05/22: Baltimore, MD @ The Metro Gallery #

# w/ Ferraby Lionheart
* w/ Marcus Hodges
^ w/ The Low Branches

Vid Pick: Vincent Minor "Late Night Show"

In his surreal new video for "Late Night Show," Vincent Minor swims with an octopus, dresses up as a Union soldier and parties with a giant goldfish. Good times. The video features loads of whacked out, psychedelic animation reminiscent of  Peter Gabriel's sledgehammer or Michael Jackson's "Leave Me Alone, and also includes a cameo from comedian Nadya Ginsburg. Vincent Minor's self-titled debut album is out now. Watch below.

Vid Pick: Tahiti 80 "Easy"

Take a look at the clip for Tahiti 80's song "Easy." Directed by Daisuke Kitayama, the quirky video features plently of intricate animation for graphic design geeks to pour over, while providing a perfect compliment to the track's breezy dance pop sound.

Holy Ghost! Premiere "Wait And See" Video

With their self-titled debut finally unleashed on the world and fresh off a tour with Cut Copy, Holy Ghost! are plowing ahead with a performance at Music Hall of Williamsburg this Friday, April 29, and also gearing up for a European tour before crossing back over the pond for some U.S. gigs. In the meantime the band has released a new video for the single "Wait And See."

Set in the duo's familiar NYC stomping grounds, they decided to include some very special guests for the clip. "For a long time Nick and I joked that our dads should take our press photos," Alex Frankel said. "At some point our go-to director, Ben Fries, came up with the idea of actually making a video with playing us and "Wait And See" seemed like the perfect song to do it for."

While both dads were a little nervous about their cameos, Frankel assured them they weren't butt of the joke. "My dad was appalled at the sizing options at American Apparel. But when we explained that the joke wasn't on them--that it was actually kind of making fun of us getting older and still living like teenagers--they were game. For the record they agree: We need to grow up."

Watch the video below.








Holy Ghost! - Wait & See from DFA Records on Vimeo.

Double Vid Pick: Xzibit Ft. Young De "Man On The Moon"/G-Side "Came Up"

Having come across two clips today that I found pretty cool, I thought I'd do a rare double vid pick. First up is a new video from rap veteran Xzibit and Young De for the new single "Man On The Moon," the first offering from his upcoming album MMXI. The clip shows the rappers underwater brandishing different objects for both serious and comic effect. It's simple but effective.



The other vid pick is Alabama duo G-Side's documentary-style clip for "Came Up." Far from a glammed up hometown trip through the hood, with scenes filmed in rundown project hallways and buildings. The visuals are made all the more poignant by the track, which features melancholy violins and atmospheric keyboards. ST 2 Lettaz told Spin "We went back to the block. We back to where we came from -- back to the basics to show where we came up from." Adds Yung Clova, "We wanted to show people our hometown."

Watch the video below.

Vid Pick: Superhuman Happiness "GMYL"

Check out the quirky visual feast that is Superhuman Happiness' new clip for "GMYL." Band member Stuart Bogie the unique (yeah that's the right word) inspiration behind the clip, directed by Brooklyn filmmaker and photographer Tatiana McCabe.

"We've been dreaming about this video for years. Night after night you find yourself at the bar with the lumberjacks and just when you think it'll be a quiet night, you curiously call to them," he explains. "Like mischievous gnomes they appear and seduce you with the sweet musk of beer and the lure of laughter, exclaiming "We've all been waiting for you!"
Watch below.

Remix Of The Week: Janet Jackson "Rhythm Nation"

Check out this version of Janet's "Rhythm Nation," remixed for the classic album's 20th anniversary back in '09. Watch below.

Watch The Mynabirds Mini- Tour Doc/Music Video "La Rain"

 
Photographer/filmmaker Shervin Lainez captured some behind-the-scenes footage of The Mynabirds as they played several shows as the opening act for Bright Eyes, of which frontwoman Laura Burhenn is currently a member. New material from The Mynabirds will be coming soon--Burhenn is currently writing new songs, while the band is planning to head back into the studio with Richard Swift in September. Watch the black-and=white documentary/music video set to WWLITFWGITF's "La Rain" below:

New Video: Mary J. Blige "Someone To Love Me (Naked)"

Mary J's new single didn't knock me over at first, but after a few listens it's started to grow on me, despite the fact that it features Diddy (yes I know he helped create certified R&B classics What's The 411? and My Life, but ever since he's been the oil to Mary's water when it comes to collaboration. Love and Life anyone?).

Lil' Wayne also dropped a guest verse on the track, which has bouncy, bass-driven beat but still manages to have a haunting edge to it. It's reminiscent of My Life/Share My World-era sound. According to Vibe, Mary's working with Ne-Yo, Raphael Saadiq and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. With Beyonce working with noise pop masters Sleigh Bells on her new album, it looks like 2011 could be the year of the R&B diva. Watch the video below:

Vid Pick: Vandaveer-The Nature Of Our Kind

Take a look at the video for alt-folk artist Vandaveer's single "The Nature of Our Kind." French duo Pierre Dejon and Just Phillippot directed the clip,capturing footage of vocalist Mark Charles Heindinger and bandmate Rose Guerin backstage and onstage during their U.S. tour back in January.

"The Nature Of Our Kind" is the first offering from Vandaveer's forthcoming album Dig Down Deep, set for release on April 26th. The band will also be hitting the road on May 1st for a spring tour with Ferraby Lionheart. Watch the video and view the full list of tour dates below.



04/08: Toulouse, France @ Le Saint Des Seins *
04/09: Pau, France @ Le Showcase *
04/10: Marmande, France @ Off Garorock Festival *
04/11: Bordeaux, France @ Secret Soiree: Drenched In Bordeaux *
04/12: Saint Nazaire, France @ Le VIP *
04/13: Clermont Ferrand, France @ La Coopérative de Mai *
04/14: Besancon, France @ Les Passagers du Zinc *
04/15: Lyon, France @ Festival Echo Orange *
04/16: Paris, France @ Café de la Danse *
04/17: Paris, France @ La Blogotheque’s Secret Soiree *
04/19: Palma de Mallorca, Spain @ Café Lisboa *
04/23: Rouen, France @ Le 106 *
04/24: Lion sur Mer, France @ Le Fabrique *

05/01: Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie #
05/03: Boston, MA @ TT The Bears #
05/04: New York, NY @ Venue TBA #
05/05: New Hope, PA @ Triumph Brewery #
05/06: Brooklyn, NY @ The Rock Shop #
05/07: Pittsburgh, PA @ Brillobox #
05/10: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern #
05/11: Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle #
05/12: Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop #
05/13: Newport, KY @ Parlour @ The Southgate House #
05/14: Lexington, KY @ Natasha's #
05/15: Louisville, KY @ Uncle Slaytons #
05/16: Nashville, TN @ The Basement #
05/18: Roanoke, VA @ Kirk Ave Music Hall #
05/20: Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar #
05/21: Washington, DC @ IOTA #
05/22: Baltimore, MD @ The Metro Gallery #

* w/ Cheyenne Marie Mize
# w/ Ferraby Lionheart

Video: Dot Freestyling In The Studio

Watch this video of Dot busting out a freestyle in the studio. The NYC rapper is set to drop a video for his next single "Sunset In New York" soon.

Vid Pick: Kutiman "My Favorite Color"

Take a look at this fantastic new video by musician/producer Kutiman. "My Favorite Color" is the latest clip in the artist's "Thru-You" video series, in which he samples footage posted by amateur musicians on YouTube and mixes them all together into one jam session. In other words, what you see on screen is also what you hear. It's pretty cool. "My Favorite Color" uses this unique formula to create a jazz-oriented sound. Watch below:

Vid Pick: Daddy Lion "Falling To Pieces"

Daddy Lion use a wealth of found footage--from Frankenstein and Dracula to collapsing buildings and little kids breakdancing--in the video for "Falling To Pieces." The diverse montage of images really fit together, creating a good visual companion that adds an extra emotional weight (and the occasional dash of humor) to the song's somber message.

Listen to the song here, and watch the video below:

The Drums Announce NYC Gigs, Summer Festival Dates

Indie pop darlings The Drums will have a busy summer ahead of them, as the band will perform at Lollapalooza Chile, Australia's Groove In The Moo Festival and at the Gaymers Stage in London for LOVEBOX. American fans can catch the band at Coachella, Sasquatch and Bonnaroo Festivals.

All of this is in support of the band's critically-acclaimed 2010 self-titled debut, a collection of track that marries the innocent swing of Sixties pop with the dark romantic nuances of Eighties new wave to create a sound that is both retro homage and modern innovation.

The Drums will kick off their tour with a series of intimate shows at the Tribeca Grand in New York beginning March 25th. View the full of list dates, as well as the video for "Me and The Moon" below:

3/25: New York, NY @ Tribeca Grand w/Big Trouble & DJ Patrik Cleandenim
3/31: Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Estúdio Emme
4/3: Santiago Chile @ Lollapalooza
4/7: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ iO Echo SOLD OUT!
4/11: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory w/Matthew Dear
4/15: Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/28: Richmond, VIC, Australia @ The Corner Hotel
4/29: Richmond, VIC, Australia @ The Corner Hotel
4/30: Bendigo, VIC @ GROOVE IN THE MOO FEST
5/1: Townsville, QLD @ GROOVE IN THE MOO FEST
5/4: Brisbane, QLD @ The High Fi
5/7: Maitland, NSW @ GROOVE IN THE MOO FEST
5/8: Canberra, ACT @ GROOVE IN THE MOO FEST
5/9: Sydney, NSW, Australia @ The Metro
5/10: Adelaide, Australia @ Uni Bar
5/12: Perth, WA, Australia @ Astor Theatre
5/14: Bunbury, WA, Australia @ (GROOVE IN THE MOO FEST)
5/16: Singapore, SG @ TAB
5/18: Tokyo, Japan @ Club Quattro
5/19: Tokyo, Japan @ Duo
5/20: Nagoya, Japan @ Club Quattro
5/21: Osaka, Japan @ Club Quattro
5/24: Bangkok, TH @ Ratchaprasong Urban Space
5/25: Jakarta, Indonesia @ Blowfish Club
5/26: Hong Kong, China @ KITEC
5/29: George, WA @ Sasquatch Festival
6/9: Nashville, TN @ Bonnaroo Festival
7/16: London, UK @ LOVEBOX

Vid Pick: Scattered Trees "Love And Leave"

Check out the Star Wars-inspired clip for Scattered Trees "Love and Leave," if only for the fact that it proves Stormtroopers are really just depressed hipsters who need love just like the rest of us. Oh, and for the Darth Vader-style death scenes. Plus the song's great too. Watch below:

Vid Pick: Planningtorock "Doorway"

While I live for videos packed with multi-layered concepts, complex symbolism and a good dance routine (looking at you Lady Gaga), sometimes simplicity can work as well as the best over-the-top theatrics. Such is the case with Planningtorock's new video for her single "Doorway." A few changes of color hue, striking mirror-image shots and prosthetic makeup all combine to create a clip that is haunting and captivating. Watch it below, and download it here.


DOORWAY from planningtorock on Vimeo.

Vid Pick: Jennifer Hudson "Where You At"

J-Hud shows off her slimmed down physique in the video for her new single "Where You At." While the video's story is the standard breakup-worthy fare, it is beautifully shot, allowing Hudson's powerful pipes to take center stage. Watch below: