As music videos get played less and less on television, they’re gaining more prominence in our culture. Stuff changes fast. Local artists are taking notice, releasing music videos left and right. Here are three that have recently come across my desk.




OKC acoustic pop singer/songwriter Denver Duncan shot this whole video on a Nokia N8 phone, similar to Dr. Pants’ iPhone 4 video I wrote about previously.

Norman-based Psychedelic band Ghost of Monkshood dropped this trippy video recently, which features mirrors, masks and a pair of disco ball glasses.

Oklahoma transplants Shiny Toy Guns dropped this absolutely gorgeous video and track to announce the return of former lead singer Carah Faye to the band.

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While you’re here, grab these free MP3s:
“Highrise” — Glorie. Instrumental music with a unique vibe that doesn’t go immediately for the epic.
“Lower Away” — Sunshine Factory. The band’s name is truth in advertising. Their picture (above) is not.
“The Big Show” — The Extraordinaires. Funky, jazzy, vintage, poppy and head-bobbingly enjoyable.

After The Non's fantastic set, it was time for some food and beer. No better time to check out Norman's newest Main Street bar and restaurant The Garage, right? Right, especially since it's freaking awesome. I had a fantastic onion buffalo burger that smacked of "made, like, three minutes ago" freshness. I went cheap on the beer (I will not reveal my shame), but my friend had a Spaten Optimator with his buffalo burger. Yes, it's that kind of place. The atmosphere is excellent, too; I hope that it lasts a long time.

Thoroughly revitalized with beer, water and food, I ventured out to K.C. Clifford's set at Brewhouse. David Broyles of Dr. Pants is married to K.C. Clifford, so I saw him for the second time in three hours. He did not dance. He did, however, play acoustic and electric guitar accompaniment to Clifford's acoustic country and folk songs. Clifford's songwriting is of the Blue Door, catch-every-word variety, so it was a bit out of place at the Brewhouse (she mentioned as much, noting that she'd probably never played at a place with so many TVs before). But her sonorous voice, engaging stories and vibrant songwriting kept people focused on her and not the draft. Her lyrics were some of my favorites at the fest. Highly recommended.

I caught a bit of Foot Patrol's set somewhere in the course of the afternoon, and it was about as weird as I expected a foot-fetish dance band led by a blind keyboardist to be. If you were there, you know what I mean. Funky, dancy, weird. Good horn section, too.

Tulsa's And There Stand Empires was another incredibly memorable set from the fest. If The Non had jazzier roots and a tendency to freak out sporadically, they might be an approximation of ATSE's wild instrumental amalgam.

These songs felt like compositions as opposed to rock tunes; highly technical chops combined with heavy breakdowns made for an experience I will not soon forget. Their control of mood was impressive, making quiet sections just as intense as brutal freakouts that ended in knocked-over equipment. If you're into heady music like JFJO and The Non, but wish they were heavier, ATSE may satiate you. Or if you like two bassists playing at once, like I do.

O Fidelis — “Mad World”
Normally, married Okie folkers’ songs occupy the opposite side of the emotional spectrum as this 1982 Tears for Fears track (which you might recall that Gary Jules covered for the cult film “Donnie Darko”), but this cover suits them quite nicely, I think.



Dr. Pants — “Calling Chewbacca”

Don’t neglect to read the story behind this one. It’s a doozy.


Two Suns — “Not the End” and “Nostalgic”
“Dream Familiar,” the debut LP from Jake Davidson’s Norman recording project Two Suns, is now up to five tracks available for listening in his ongoing-release model. Check ’em out, as well as our review of the entire record.



Larry Chin — “Days and Nights”
While not a new song, this dreamy, drippy guitar track from Kyle Mayfield (né Larry Chin) is now available for free download, with the message that he’s working on a new EP. Gives a new meaning to the phrase “chin music.” Anyway, this one gives a local lease on the excellent major indie band Real Estate.


Jack White — “Love Interruption”
Let’s just say I liked Jack White better when he sported red and white and distorted blues guitar. This clarinet-blue-shaving-thing just isn’t working out for me.


Dr. Dog — “Be the Void”
OKSee’s groovier, hippie tendencies got really excited last week when we found out Delo Creative shot the video for the first single on this record. With the whole album now available to hear, we’re happier than a dog off his leash.

Shearwater — “Animal Joy”
Looking for a high-concept indie record about nature? Look no further.

Air— “Le Voyage Dans La”
This first track “Astronomic Club” goes from sounding like My Morning Jacket’s weird single “Holding On to Black Metal” into some kind of oddball spaghetti Western twang. Welcome back, Air.

Fucked Up — “Zodiac”
A couple of rare tracks from Canadian hardcore sextet about the Chinese zodiac. Nifty.