The Oriental theatre was filled with artists, filmmakers and listeners from all walks of life to see the best music videos that the city of Milwaukee has to offer. Videos from 16 different artists from all different genres showed off their musical talents on the big screens, with their directors’ prowess being equally displayed. It was a proud night for the city; every single artist gave the fans a different reason to dive into the local music scene.
Video #1: “Milwaukee by Maritime
This video was the perfect way to start off the show. This Weezer-esque video took you on a fun ride all around the city of Milwaukee, taking you to every landmark from the art museum to the river walk. This jovial alt-rock track is an awesome anthem to the city, and Maritime performs it wonderfully. I strongly suggest this band if you like Weezer or Blind Melon.
Video #2: “High Life” by The Midwest Beat
This video is the definition of old school cool; it felt like something straight out of That 70’s Show. The whole video takes place in a slo-mo bar scene, with a bunch a friends hanging out, smoking and drinking Miller High Life. This twangy rock track perfectly complemented the video, and it really felt like it came out of Milwaukee. I recommend this band if you like 70s classic rock and classic country.
Video #3: “Casino” by Calliope
This video is hardcore, trippy and fast-paced just like this band. The song can best be described as psychedelic hard-rock track, excellently complemented by an incredibly colorful, mind-bending video which alternates between an girl listening to the song on her headphones, and a fortune teller staring right in your eyes. The director of the video described it as “gritty, just like the song itself”. I recommend this band if you like Wolfmother and Royal Blood.
Video #4: “Boyz” by GGOOLLDD
This incredibly fun song could be best described as electronic alt pop. The video takes place in an entirely blank background, with disco lights playing, as the band dances around with ballet dancers enjoying themselves. This video really looked organic and fun to make. I recommend this band if you like Tove-Lo and Passion Pit.
Video #5: “This is Our Year” by Lex Allen
One of my personal fa
vorites, this track and its video are incredibly uplifting and just make you want to party. This R&B hip hop hybrid track has a very distinct 90s vibe, with everyone in the group partying together. Lex Allen said that the video was “an homage to Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, and he captured that essence perfectly. I recommend Lex Allen if you like Pharrell Williams and other up beat hip hop.
Video #6: “Love of Mine” by Vic and Gab
This fun and quirky indie track takes place mostly in the cartoon world, and takes fun little jabs at romance. The singing in the song is really excellent, and the track has a way of somehow being fun and enjoyable, but bitter and cynical all at the same time. I recommend this group if you like the Juno soundtrack,.
Video #7: “Pieces” by Uncle Larry
This classic alt rock track takes a fun flashback to the 1950’s with an outdoor prom scene. The video felt very reminiscent of “Buddy Holly” or “In Bloom”, with all the band members dressed in cheesy blue suits. This was a really upbeat track that complemented the video excellently. I recommend this band if you like Weezer and Green Day.
Video #8: “Witch” by Tigernite
This punk/hard rock track is incredibly badass and in your face, both through the song and the video. This fast paced and choppy video takes place in mostly black and white, with intense flashes of spark and color. The singer will absolutely melt your face off with her awesome singing. I recommend this group if you like Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and other 70s hard rock.
Video #9: “Doomsday” by WebsterX
This incredible video almost feels like a short film, and was definitely my personal favorite of the show. This wildly experimental hip hop track is perfectly complemented by a beautifully shot video. According to WebsterX, the video was “inspired by the idea of dark and light”, and uses a seemingly empty Milwaukee landscape in WInter to create a dystopian vibe. This video is incredible, and I recommend WebsterX to anyone who likes hearing new things.
Video #10: “Burn it Down” by Sam & Margot
This intense video by New York artists Sam & Margot was dramatic, yet whimsical at the same time. This folky alternative track makes an interesting backdrop for the video, which takes place as alternating shots between the two artists traveling around the city, and committing a dangerous bank heist. I definitely recommend Sam & Margot as a great alternative group.
Video #11: “Wings” by IV Field Report
This spacey rock track perfectly complements its animated video. Seemingly centered around a cartoon astronaut mining on another planet, this video is beautifully trippy and tell an interesting story. The video does an excellent job of evoking emotions out of the viewers, and I definitely recommend this group.
Video #12: “Sunshine” by Kane Place Record Club
This was perhaps the most out-there video and song of the entire show. This fast-paced dramatic piano rock track plays as the backdrop for one woman’s terrifying dream sequence. Being part cartoon, and taking place in many different scenes from a fancy mansion to an operating room, this video takes you on a fun, outlandish journey. It’s hard to find a comparison to this group, but I highly recommend checking them out.
Video #13: “Carry Me” by Victor DeLorenzo
Performed by a member of the famous Milwaukee band The Violent Femmes, Victor DeLorenzo takes an incredibly interesting approach to the video. Accompanied by an experimental electro-rock track, DeLorenzo breaks the fourth wall in this video, walking around the video shoot and freaking out as everyone is frozen around him. This is definitely a badass track and an interesting video.
Video #14: “Drive Through Summer” by Wooldridge Brothers
A track that feels reminiscent of Blues Traveler without the harmonica, this incredibly fun song matches the video perfectly. The video takes place in a country landscape, with tons of cars coming to a drive in movie as the band performs. This song definitely makes you want to dance, and I recommend this group for a fun listen
Video #15: “Nothing Left” by Greatest Lakes
This light pop rock track works very well in contrast to a video that evokes a sense of childlike wonder and saddening loneliness at the same time. The video is centered around a little girl in a bunny suit frolicking around a school by herself. She later goes out into the world and goes to bed, which is when we find out that the little girl is homeless. This video broke my heart in the best possible way, and I definitely recommend this group.
Video #16: “Dreamy Bruises” by Sylanesso
In the video for this heavy electro pop track, the director said that he wanted to capture “People escaping to a communal place”, and it was done perfectly in the video. The video portrays people from all different walks of life coming together to see these majestic flying lights. This video makes a very deep human connection that everyone can appreciate. I definitely recommend Sylvanesso.
Unfortunately, this was the only showing of the Milwaukee Music Video Show, but you should definitely look for any of these bands performing near you, and look them up online.