Video Premiere: Summertime Dropouts "1999"

Heads up pop/punk fans: Minneapolis rockers, Summertime Dropouts have dropped a new video for their friggin-fantastic new song, 1999, and trust me when I tell you that this song deserves a spot on your next mixtape. It's really tremendous. The crew here at HIP Video have had the song on repeat for days now. Check it out below, share and support these dudes!

Sanders Bohlke WINS mtvU The Freshmen Competition!

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. That's right!

Sanders Bohlke won last week's The Freshmen Competition and has secured a spot in regular rotation on mtvU with his most excellent music video for the unbelievably wonderful single, "Serious!" This dude seriously deserves the recognition - no pun intended. His debut album "Ghost Boy" is one of the best records to come out in years.

Thanks to everyone who voted. Let's keep this winning streak up.

STOKED again,

HIP Team

World Premiere: Brian Kroll "Flight Deck (For Christmas)" on FEARnet.com!

NY-rocker, Brian Kroll's unbelievably entertaining, stop motion/puppet, Christmas (with-a-twist) music video, "Flight Deck (For Christmas)," just premiered on FEARnet.com and it's already turning heads all over the internet! Who would have thought one of the best music videos of 2013 would drop on December 20th? 

Well, it has... and it's AWESOME.
Click HERE to check it out in all its glory!

Watch: Jodi Good "HIP Spotlight"

We were thrilled to meet up with upcoming NYC-based singer/songwriter Jodi Good in Manhattan last month to film her first official HIP Spotlight! She was wonderfully candid in detailing who she is/where she's coming from as an artist, what values she holds true in her work, how proud she is of her awesome "Definitely Different" video, and a whole lot more. Check it out below!

www.JodiGood.com

bree To Model for Gibson!

  Up and coming Nashville rock goddess, bree, has been asked to model for Gibson's newest versions of their Explorer and Thunderbird Bass, and we can't wait for the results. We're quite confident they'll be absolutely badass! We'll keep you posted on when they drop.

For now, follow bree on Facebook HERE. And if you've haven't been paying attention, peep her killer new video for "I'm The Boss" below:

Show Alert: City Rain @ Kung Fu Necktie!

Heads up Philly rockers, City Rain are coming to Kung Fu Necktie to bring the noise. They're playing with a ton of amazing bands, perhaps most notably, Brick + Mortar from NJ. 

Trust us, it's gonna be an incredibly good show. 

Don't sleep on it. 

Get your tickets HERE!

Merry Christmas! Watch: Sariah "Santa Baby"

Multi-talented Dance/Pop Artist Sariah exploded onto the Scene in 2010 with her Billboard Club Chart hit “Deep N Luv,” and celebrates the Yuletide with exciting array of Producers, including Ru Samath, Russ Desalvo, Jeff Franzel and Jimmy Greco. Three years after Sariah’s explosive emergence with her Billboard Club Chart hit “Deep N Luv,” the multi-talented dance/pop artist—known affectionately as the “Queen of Hearts”–is still grooving and celebrating, ringing in what promises to be another joyful holiday season with a true Holiday Heart.

A playful and infectious showcase for her sexy, shimmering and seductive style, Sariah’s debut Christmas EP on Reigning Heart Records includes fresh, adventurous twists on six well-known holiday standards and the newly-penned, club-ready original lead single “Only One Wish,” which breaks new ground as the perfect introduction to Sariah’s wild, one of a kind world. “There’s something on there for everybody,” she says. “As a whole, Holiday Heart has a big sound that’s fresh and fun. ‘Only One Wish’ is about the transition I’ve been having in my personal life. I’m becoming more independent as an artist and a woman, and I’m finally standing up for who I am and what I need. There’s a fun melody to it, and we wanted to make something unlike everything else you hear during the holidays.”

Sariah, The “Queen Of Hearts” is already celebrating the holiday season as she debuts her video for the classic song “Santa Baby” from her EP Holiday Heart. The video was shot in New York City and features a number of seasonal scenes as well as the chance to hear Sariah lend her voice to an American classic which was originally composed by Joan Javit, Philip Springer and Tony Springer. Sariah’s version of “Santa Baby” featuring Duwende was produced by Ed Chung (who is part of the group Duwende) and the video was directed by Brian Jenkins and Jonathan McHugh of J2 Music.

Guinevere "Ran For My Life" is Video Of The Week on FEARnet.com!

That's right! Guinevere's amazing (and terrifying) zombie killing masterpiece of a video, "Ran For My Life" is currently featured on hugely popular FEARnet.com as 'Video Of The Week'!

Check it out HERE.

And of course, like Guinevere on Facebook, ya hear?

Word.

www.Facebook.com/ThisIsGuinevere‎

Sanders Bohlke Competing in THIS WEEK's mtvU The Freshmen Competition!

We're happy to report that singer/songwriter and longtime HIP FAVE, Sanders Bohlke is competing in this week's The Freshmen competition. His video for the "Serious" is fantastic and definitely deserves to be seen.

This message is a call to arms for all fans of Sanders Bohlke to follow the link below and vote as many times as you possibly can to secure this huge opportunity for this super-deserving artist. 

Show some love.

VOTE HERE!

Arborea "Fortress of the Sun" --- One of Allmusic.com's Favorite Albums of 2013!

We're thrilled to report that one of our all-time favorite music websites -- AllMusic.com -- has included one of our favorite clients of 2013 -- Arborea (and their amazing new album, Fortress of the Sun) as one of the top releases of 2013. Kudos to AllMusic for recognizing this wonderfully poignant, mesmerizing and straight up beautiful record; it's truly one of the best releases of the year. Check out the list here!

And if you've been sleeping, follow Arborea online and see what all the talk is about.

Introducing Valley Lodge

Combining influences such as rock, pop, and also pop rock, New York City’s Valley Lodge has managed to create one of pop-rock’s most exquisite albums in the form of their third full-length release Use Your Weapons. HIP Video Promo is pleased to introduce the video clip to their wildly energetic single, “Go!”

According to the band’s bio, this unstoppable album is what would happen if the members of Cheap Trick, T. Rex, Thin Lizzy, and Big Star were lost at sea on a pirate ship captained by Michael Jackson in his prime. Tracks include infectious pop hooks, “7-Eleven parking lot-worthy” grooves, and face-melting guitar solos at every turn. Valley Lodge is comprised of singer and lead guitar player Dave Hill, known for his work with HIP alumni Cobra Verde and the Walter Schreifels Band, drummer Rob Pfeiffer, ex-Sense Field, guitar player Phil Costello of Tragedy and Diamondsnake, and bass player Eddie Eyeball from 2 Skinnee J’s and Gordon Gano. Guitar player and founding member John Kimbrough, best known for his work with Tenacious D, provides additional rock heat and spiritual guidance via his Los Angeles bunker.

Directed by Tim Fornara, “Go!” is a wildly entertaining music video that will leave you wanting more. Rich with comedy and social stirs, the clip highlights the best qualities of this eccentric band. The video starts with a heated bike race between Hill and Costello and not long into the race their eyes are caught by a pair of beautiful Japanese women in traditional dress. They are soon in hot pursuit, because something about these ladies has to be theirs. We’re talking about their clothes! The way it plays out is incredible to watch, and the conclusion is pure gold. “Go!” is a song that captures the best of Valley Lodge and serves as a teaser to fans that do not know their forthcoming album Use Your Weapons. With a style that is incomparable to any mainstream band nowadays, “Go” is a necessity for any car drive. Click here for the full bio.

Introducing High Class Music Group

Today, the radio is filled with all kinds of similar sounds. Hip hop has never sounded more imitated; recycling producers, lyrics and ideas between artists from every generation. But not in the High Class Music Group studio. More or less a laboratory, HiCMG takes the construction of each song seriously. So much that, popular sound engineer Arkhitect is the resident producer of endless, memorable tracks. Through these doors come artists who are motivated by much more than money and fame, they all possess a burning desire to make their own mark on the hip hop scene, each one mastering their unique sound in the process. The end result is the new track “Sippin’” which showcases the entire roster in an anthem that perfectly encompasses what HiCMG is all about. Click here for the full bio.

Watch: Eddie the Brave "Running, Flying, Jumping!"

Eddie the Brave is this year’s most noteworthy animated sensation. The first single “Running, Flying, Jumping!” of the virtual band is becoming recognized by thousands of people around the world. HIP Video Promo is pleased to introduce the hottest video clip for this fresh new single.

A brave and cute Chilean piglet named Eddie has left the comforts of his farm in search of freedom from his future—being cooked into bacon. Soon he learned that he could travel around the world just by becoming a determined little piggy. Now, Eddie breaks the rules and decides it is time to create his own band, Eddie the Brave. Their first single “Running, Flying, Jumping!” is a cheerful pop song that talks about the inner value inside each one of us and how this spirit can make our dreams come true and address life’s challenges. It is a catchy song and a positive message that is available in 4 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.

The English and Spanish versions are both interpreted by three promising Chilean artists: Andres Vilensky, Sebastian Osses, and Souvenir Versatil. Kawlinz, a Canadian artist, is great for hip- hop sung in English. In addition, the Japanese artist Toshiro Murata, who is a multifaceted singer, sings the Japanese version. No matter the language of the song, the spirit remains the same: “With courage we can address the challenges and make our dreams come true.”

Watch: London Rose "Kick Drum"

London Rose brings soul to pop. The Indianapolis based singer/songwriter will release her debut single “Kick Drum” on November 26th and true to the Thanksgiving holiday spirit will donate proceeds from sales of her song to the Philippine Red Cross. “I was fortunate enough to have lots of support in making this record and want to pay it forward, even if it’s in a small way,” London says.

London grew up with a deep passion for everything from Motown to blues. At 17-years-old, she formally kicked off her musical career. Over the next few years, she cut her teeth playing hundreds of gigs and supporting legends such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Morris Day & The Time, KC and the Sunshine Band, and more. Meanwhile, the Pacers and Colts personally tapped her for multiple events including national anthems, and she garnered honors at the Great American Song Contest and the Unisong International Songwriting Competition. However, 2013 saw her songwriting talents bubble up to the forefront.

Heading to New York, she teamed up with the likes of Greg Camp [Smash Mouth] and Jeff Franzel [Josh Groban, N*Sync] to pen what would become “Kick Drum.” In the process, she harnessed her own sound. “Kick Drum has an energetic and really fun dance vibe, but there are some very emotional lyrics and ballads on the EP,” she affirms. “I wanted to do something that incorporated the energy of the music I grew up on with a modern feel.”

Watch: Corvus "Breathe" Music Video

Corvus is one of Arizona’s finest metal bands. They’re a great live act and are proficient songwriters, and have completed six albums in less than five years time. Heavy riffs, melodic solos, great vocal melodies and, what most fans consider the best aspect, lyrical imagery, are what make up the elements of this unique band. HIP Video Promo is pleased to introduce the positively radiant video clip “Breathe.”

Introducing West Without

Hailing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, West Without is an indie-alternative rock that blends soulful male and female vocals with a luscious guitar-driven soundscape. With a tangy, sultry vibe, the band’s latest single “Give Me Your Heart” is shaking airwaves, and HIP Video Promo is pleased to introduce the new video clip.

After forming in Baton Rouge in 2012, West Without spent a year in the studio recording and perfecting their sound. The group’s seven-song EP was released independently in May 2013 and is available on iTunes. Individual tracks have been made available through Soundcloud, YouTube, and the band’s Facebook page.
The band has been performing the self-titled EP live since July of 2013, and have been touring throughout Louisiana and Texas. West Without is currently working on material for the anticipated full-length album, which will be a first for the band. In the meantime, they have teamed up with Rougarou Films to create a short film for the single, “Give Me Your Heart.”

The clip was shot on location across Mississippi and Louisiana. “Give Me Your Heart” has a playful, yet dark thriller theme in which we witness the witch-like character of lead singer Raine Landry rise from the dead of her final resting place in a lake and hunt down and punish the four men who put her there (played by the rest of the band). These men have done a very evil thing and Raine is there to make sure they atone for their wrongdoings, with a swift and deliberate punishment. In the midst of flashbacks and current scenes, the sultry sound of the single makes the video all the more haunting and sends viewers to the edge of their seats. This song has been stuck in our heads since the moment we heard it and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Introducing The Crying Spell

The Crying Spell is a textbook case of a band that has been able to evolve and roll with the punches over the years, always staying one step ahead of the musical trends and managing to position themselves as trailblazers of sorts. Members Eric Snyder, Len Hotrum, and Chase Culp have been the core members for nearly 20 years dating back to their youth in Seattle. Their first effort was days away from signing a major label record contract until the label was merged into the Universal camp and dissolved. Instead of being discouraged they regrouped and rebranded themselves as a hard rock outfit called PointOne (whose “Monochrome Mistress” video HIP brought you in 2007) and they found fast success, touring with bands like Godsmack, Sevendust, Buckchery, and many others.

But despite all of this, something didn’t feel right and they decided they would once again shift gears and embrace their love of new wave acts like Duran Duran, The Cult, The Cure, while drawing inspiration from club acts like Skrillex and Deadmau5. Add in keyboardist Kevin Preston, and what began as a side project turned into a full-fledged devotion and The Crying Spell was born. They even coined a term for their sound, they call it “Modwave!” They’ve already had the pleasure of sharing the stage with acts like Killing Joke, Julien-K, and Filter.

Their newest album, Spectrums of Light, features an eclectic mix of new wave and rock, showing a clear development of their sound. The standout track of the bunch has to be the new single “Elemental.” It embraces all of the adjectives we’ve used so far, combines it with a killer hook, and sure enough you’ve got yourself a hit!

Happy Holidays from HIP Video Promo!

As 2013 draws to a close, we couldn’t be more excited to be entering into another wonderful Christmas season filled with close family and friends, delicious food, beautiful snowy days, plenty of gift-giving, and of course, great holiday music! And what better way to kick off the season than by presenting two brand new, completely enchanting Christmas videos that are sure to get you in the spirit of the season. So without further adieu, please allow us to bring to you, Robby Word and Alex G’s beautiful holiday mash-up, “Let It Snow/Baby, It's Cold Outside” & Branden James’ enchanting rendition of “Silent Night.”

A true match made in heaven, rising teenage singer/songwriters, Robby Word and Alex G have joined forces to produce, “Let It Snow/Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” a fresh and uplifting, mash-up of well-known, Christmas classics, “Let It Snow” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” The song has just the right blend of familiar musical elements from each classic tune, features magnificent vocals by the young talents, and seriously has what it takes to be a bonafide classic in its own right. The chemistry between Robby and Alex is breathtaking and will have you feeling the holiday cheer in no time. And to top it off, the video itself follows the two singers as they sing and dance throughout a dazzling house that’s decked out with a glorious display of Christmas magic.

Branden James, the gifted, Cali-based singer and recent America’s Got Talent finalist, delivers a super delicate and incredibly powerful take on “Silent Night.” The song is quintessential Christmas, and couldn’t be more ideal for he holidays. It should be no surprise to hear such a captivating voice, as Mr. James has trained at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and privately in New York City, as well as regular gigs for the Los Angeles Lakers, a longtime affiliation with The 12 Tenors, and a performance for Pope Benedict XVI for his 80th birthday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. His stunning version of the Christmas classic from his new album, The Voice of Christmas, features breathtaking vocal performances by himself accompanied by a chorus of mesmerizing singers. The beautiful video is shot inside a gorgeous church and will certainly get you in the mood for Old Saint Nick.

Watch: Tay Allyn returns with "Clean Ma Room" Music Video

Get ready world! 

The Summer 2013 Viral Pop-Superstar, Tay Allyn, is back with
the follow-up to her smash "Mass Text,"
and as expected, it's another irresistible pop gem that her fans are guaranteed to love and obsess over.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you....

"CLEAN MA ROOM"

www.TayAllyn.com

Listen: Friend Slash Lover "Don't Retouch Me There"

Friend Slash Lover dropped a brand new single last week, entitled "Don't Retouch Me There," and as expected, it's smart, unbelievably addictive, and comes highly recommended from HIP Video Promo. Don't just take our word for it, peep it here!

Check it out: Street Corner Renaissance on NBC's the Sing-Off!

Get ready for an absolutely breathtaking rendition of One Direction's hit, "What Makes You Beautiful" performed by none other than doo-wop masters (and past HIP clients), Street Corner Renaissance, on the hit NBC show, the Sing-Off! 

Check it out below and spread the word! 

www.StreetCornerRenaissance.com

Justina drops two magnificent new clips!

When we last saw Justina, we were introducing you to her by way of her video for “Halloween” which was a raucous and rambunctious clip that was a direct shot at all of the fake phony frauds who hide behind layers of makeup, ridiculous outfits and basically anything to avoid showing their true selves. Justina is all about embracing her true self and who she is, and the video was rousing sensation with our programmers, as well as a nice peek at what was in store for her new EP, Valentine.

Fast forward to now and look back at the past 4 months to see just how hard this girl hustles. Since the “Halloween” video she has spent two months on the road opening 27 dates for Mike Stud on The Relief Tourand another week opening for Hi-Rez on the F— Hi-Rez Tour. Her Valentine EP, which features collaborations with multi-platinum producers Infamous, Shy Boogs, and The Heatmakerz, also debuted at #38 on the iTunes R&B Chart, proving that this hardest working girl east of the Mississippi is the real deal! And while “Halloween” was a light-hearted good time from beginning to end, for her next two videos, Justina has decided to offer us a glimpse into the deeper side of her persona.

The first clip “That Ring” is an emotionally draining clip that reminds us that for all of her bombastic traits and larger-than-life persona, she still has a big heart. And with big hearts sometimes comes big heartbreak. “That Ring” doesn’t pull any punches or speak in riddles and mysteries. It’s a straightforward ballad about how sometimes no matter how much you love someone, that sometimes things are beyond repair and that even a beautiful diamond ring is only masking the real problems. The song and video shows an incredible level of depth of introspection and seeing her intimately delicate delivery makes us the viewer feel as though we’ve been witness to something incredibly personal.

For the second video “Unbelievable” Justina puts a little more sass in her step, reminding us that she is still a tough cookie that you don’t want to cross. The video features some of her most striking looks yet, as she teamed up with Priscilla Lomotey of Shop Saiko & fellow NYC designer Mishka, to fit Justina with the sexiest outfits yet. The song itself is a soul-soaked kiss-off to those that have done her wrong and who she is determined to cut out of her life. Justina knows that she can do bad all by herself, and that in the end friends are supposed to be the ones who help, not do constant harm.

Introducing Bernard Hyppolite

The country of Haiti is a beautiful place on earth. It is filled with soaring mountains, pristine beaches, and some of the most beautiful climate on earth. It is also home to a very proud and strong people who through the years have faced hardship, most notably the devastating earthquake in 2010 that decimated the land and ravaged the population. Combine that with the string of hurricanes that passed over the island in 2008, this beautiful country has been put to the test, but the people of Haiti (pronounced “Ayiti” in the homeland) are resilient and upbeat through it all.

Bernard Hyppolite is a Haitian-American artist whose pride in his homeland runs deep. “Ayiti” is his tribute to the land he called home where he “grew up with Auntie” and where “music would run free.” The content of the song is a nostalgic and personal look at one man’s journey as well as a musical history lesson that references Haiti’s forts, castles, the strong presence of Christianity and faith, as well as the darker, yet inspiring history of Haiti’s roots of a slave population that fought and won their freedom from the French. The lyrics of “Ayiti” are powerful enough to make us feel like we are at one with the people of Haiti and are being given a guided tour through the land.

The video for “Ayiti” is equally as powerful with its visual presentation of the people and the land that Hyppolite sings about. His goal with this video was to celebrate everything about Haiti, and with the stunning combination of natural beauty and deep culture he has accomplished just that. The video starts with Hyppolite acknowledging the past by being dressed like a slave from Haiti’s past, complete with chains, handcuffs, and even lashes on his back. As we follow him through the land he shows us the people of Haiti finding freedom and finding salvation. Faith has always been a powerful part of Haitian culture and has been the strength upon which they’ve drawn in times of both struggle and triumph. This video is not the end of the story, but rather a middle section of a long story that still has many more beautiful chapters to write.

Introducing Gaunt Story

What is a gaunt story? Pick the words apart and you have a thin tale, a bedraggled novella perhaps. Turn your ears towards deepest darkest East Lancashire, however, and you will find Gaunt Story is the musical moniker of one Rob Ashworth. Ashworth creates songs that are stories indeed, but far from thin or bedraggled. With a lyrical cryptic intimacy that is comparable to Joanna Newsom or Justin Vernon, Rob Ashworth’s songs have both the delicacy and strength of a finely-spun spider’s web. Gaunt Story’s strength is Ashworth’s multi-instrumental talent, and within the space of three minutes (or fewer) you can often find yourself tapping along to a traditional 4/4 beat before being tugged into a loop of chimes and seesaw rhythms, pulling you through a soundscape as pretty as any northern sky. There is no room for filler or ego-centric fretwanking here, as Ashworth packs his vignettes fit to burst with intrigue and leaves you wanting more. Sometimes jaunty melodies and haunting, baffling, words that rebound off each other in a dance or battle – at other times a simple phrase that twists and turns itself inside out.

Comparisons with other northern troubadours such as Badly Drawn Boy are inevitable, perhaps, but will be somewhat off the mark – Gaunt Story is in a class of his own, and has made himself quite comfortable there. With each Gaunt Story song there is a spark, a cheeky wink, that lets you in on Ashworth’s secret. And what is that secret? That Gaunt Story has deciphered something singular within the human condition and isolated it within the simplicity of a song. (Huge thanks to Ian Adamson for providing the excellent write up of Gaunt Story you’ve read above!)

For his new video “Companion Waves” has kept with his unique ability to be the sole driver and focus of the video. It is a skillfully shot clip that takes everyday trivialities and adds a cinematic element to them so that everything from lounging out on the couch and watching tv to preparing a small meal and going out for a daily jog is a visual treat. Rainbow prisms and kaleidoscopes of color fill the screen. But if you watch closely everything is not quite as it seems, and there is something decidedly darker and more complicated happening in this story. While it may appear on the surface to be a simple concept of a video, if you pay attention to the details you’ll notice the deeper story happening. So keep your eyes peeled on this one!

Introducing The Skys

The country of Lithuania is a small country nestled on the shores of the Baltic Sea, and although it is usually overshadowed by its larger neighbors this is a country with a rich culture and history of their own. The Skys are a product of that culture and since 1995 the band has been cultivating an ever-expanding and loyal fan base throughout the European and western Asian regions.

Over this time they’ve garnered recognition everywhere from their home country, to festivals such as Crescendo Festival in France, Posinger Open Air in Germany, Eastern European Music Fest in Russia, and a spot at the New York International Music Festival where they won the Best International Band award!

The Skys’ music is a nod to some of the best elements of classic rock, honing in on the ethereal and ambient sounds reminiscent of the Gilmour and Waters classics of the 70′s. Soaring instrumental breaks, sparse yet powerful vocals and restrained tempos are the calling cards of their newest album, Colours of the Desert. The release caught the attention of Cinderella Records, whom the band signed an exclusive distribution deal with to get their music heard! The first video from the album is for the standout track “When the Western Wind Blows” and is a six minute gem you won’t want to miss!

Watch: Hunna "Rescue Me"

The natural need to rock. That was the sole reason behind Hunna’s birth in 2011. Formed by five young musicians from Rio de Janeiro – Magga (vocals), Fifo (guitar), Thiaguinho (guitar), Dov (bass) and Teo (drums) – the band mixes elements of classic rock bands such as U2 and Guns N’ Roses with brand new influences from Foo Fighters, Coldplay, John Mayer, Incubus and Kings of Leon. All pieces put together turn into a fresh and unique sound, never heard before from a Brazilian band.

Hunna’s songs were written based on everyday reality and personal experiences from the band members, disregarding any language barriers for either Portuguese or English. One song in particular jumps out in that regard, the delicately written, but hard-hitting song for “Rescue Me” which deals with losing the one true person you’ve loved like no other. The song occupies the spot somewhere between rock and roll and ballad, but much too articulate and nuanced to be considered a power ballad. Magga’s vocal delivery portrays a true sense of loss and remorse, and an honest introspection realizing that sometimes we only have ourselves to blame.

Watch: Pickwick HIP Spotlight!

We had a great time meeting up with Pickwick to film their official HIP Spotlight a few weeks ago. We got the whole scoop on their amazing music video for "Hacienda Motel" and we highly recommend you check it out!