vidiots unite!

So the other night I was flipping channels and ran across a show I often watch whenever I happen to find it on, 'New York Noise' on NY-74 - Its really great, because it is all music videos by NY bands, or bands loosely associated with the independent music scene here. So, here I present two of the videos I happened to catch that really got my attention:

"Only Ordinary" by Burnside Project -- BP are Richard Jankivich and fellow multi-instrumentalist Gerald Hammill, who are joined on stage by keyboardist Paul Searing. When they recorded their first record, they also had other friends come over and join in on the sessions, including Shannon McArdle of the Mendoza Line, who lent her vocals to five of the songs, as well as the ML's guitarist, Pete Hoffman. This particular video isn't that great, though I still like it - it was the music itself that really stood out to me here, because its got a great charged feeling to it. The fast pace, the rumbly bassline, and the slightly-fuzzy but still clean guitar that starts up half-way through... its just solid. If you like it too, then check their site for more songs and a video for "Cue the Pulse", and buy the album The Network, the Circuits, the Streams, the Harmonies from their label, Bar/None Records!

"Jessica" by Adam Green -- So, thus far anyway, I haven't really gotten into the whole NY anti-folk scene, or the Moldy Peaches, of whom Adam is one half. However, when I saw this video (which followed an amazing dangerous-truck-driver vid by Bonnie "Prince" Billy), I was definitely struck by the obviously bizarre lyrics, and by the great 60s-pop string arrangement that makes this more than a simple little song. The video itself is also just really good. And weird. If, like me, you find yourself turned by this song and video, then do this goofy Brooklynite a favor and buy his album, Friends of Mine. Also, I think he's still out touring the US, and I've only heard good things about his live shows.