Tom Gallo is the host of Look At My Records! on Radio Free Brooklyn.
Bushwick Daily is proud to premiere the brand new video for “Bottom Feeder [Version 2]” by Brooklyn indie rock outfit, LAPêCHE. The video is the group’s first from their new EP Spirit Bunnies and requires a close listen to peel back its multi-faceted, deeper meaning. In the video, the band connects a single shot, modern-day home recording focused on childhood innocence and juxtaposes it with the song’s darker lyrical content.
The video, when paired with the instrumentation and lyrical themes of the song, tackles contrasting themes of optimism and innocence with self-destruction and sadness. Conceptually, the band set out to illustrate the dissonance within the song by incorporating an uplifting visual element to pair with the track’s anthemic instrumentation, both of which contrast sharply with the dark lyrical content. Bassist Dave Diem notes that, “the music and melody have brooding moments but, in our opinion, it’s more so upbeat and revealing.”
Though visually the video is simple, following a young child as she runs through a playground, the warm, home-video style presentation also adds a special element to the work’s competing themes, as it evokes feelings of innocence and nostalgia for the simple, carefree nature of childhood. This contrasts with lyricist Krista Diem’s words, which tell the heart wrenching story of the self-destructive “Bottom Feeder.” Diem notes that the band set out to “shine light on the hope we all have in youth,” and contrast it with the portrait of a “life lost to self-destruction” painted through the lyrics.
Catch the band performing live at Gold Sounds this Saturday, April 27 with Pink Avalanche and Superblonde.
The band is also touring with Jawbox in June. Catch them in Brooklyn and at several other venues along the East Coast:
June 14, 15: Boston, MA at The Sinclair
June 21: Philadelphia, PA at Union Transfer
June 22: Brooklyn, NY at Brooklyn Steel
June 27: Brooklyn, NY at Gold Sounds with The Pauses and Death Cults
June 28, 29: Washington, D.C. at 9:30 Club
You can also purchase LAPêCHE’s latest EP, Spirit Bunnies, via Bandcamp.
Spring has arrived in Bushwick, so make sure you’re out and about at one of these great gigs:
Wednesday, April 24
Injury Reserve at Elsewhere, 8 p.m.
The Tempe, Arizona based hip-hop trio, Injury Reserve, are performing in Bushwick on Wednesday night for a one-off performance that coincides with the recent news that their debut self-titled album is set for release in June. Earlier this year, the trio shared the first single from the album, “Jawbreaker,” and followed that pulsating track with their second single, “Jailbreak The Tesla.”
Thursday, April 25
Poppies, Operator Music Band, Dig Nitty, Dave Hill (DJ set) at Alphaville, 8 p.m.
Bushwick based indie-pop trio Poppies are throwing a release show for the follow-up to their infectious 2017 debut EP, Good. The new seven-song collection entitled, Bed Music, features more sweet melodies and dreamy guitar-driven songs, including “Dum Dum” and “Pink Hum Punch Out.” Operator Music Band, who are known for their art-punk synth-heavy songs, are also on hand for the festivities, along with Dig Nitty, a local lo-fi garage rock quartet. Comedian and musician Dave Hill will be DJing all night long.
Friday, April 26
Surf Thugs, Shy Baby, Bad Kiss, True Dreams at The Footlight, 8 p.m.
Surf Thugs headlines a stacked Friday night bill at The Footlight that features acts of the surf rock, punk, and garage persuasion. You can prep for this gig by checking out Surf Thugs and Shy Baby’s short, but catchy 2017 EPs Just Sad and PBR Tallbetch, respectively. Make sure you arrive early enough to catch Bad Kiss. The band just released their second EP II, four songs of distorted, fast punk rock. Local duo True Dreams play femme-punk with snarling melodies, which is just the right combination to kick start the night.
Saturday, April 27
Juan Wauters at 3 Dollar Bill, 8 p.m.
Captured Tracks recording artist and Ridgewood resident, Juan Wauters, released his first-ever Spanish-language album, La Onda de Juan Pablo, in late January. Wauters recorded the album in several different Latin American countries over the last two years, employing minimalist recording techniques and crafting songs that stylistically reflect the surrounding areas he recording them in. Wauters will be performing several songs from this critically acclaimed record on Saturday at 3 Dollar Bill, a brand new Queer bar and performance space in East Williamsburg.
All images courtesy of bands and mentioned venues.
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