Backlash: bak·laSH/ noun 1. A strong adverse reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political development.
Backlash is the title of the new video now available from Brian Larney of The Town Hall,
from his new indie alt-rock album “America Needs The Town Hall.” The
video, whose song is available on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify
retail-streaming sites world, was released today on YouTube.
The
video captures a live performance by Larney and friends at the Factory
Underground Studio in Norwalk, CT. An unique event that was a record
release party and video shoot rolled into one synonymous with Larney’s
tendency to think far outside of the box. The final edit rendered in
black and white, is both moody and stark, while remaining intimate with
an adoring audience.
The music video, co-directed by Larney with Marc Alan, filmed by Aidan
Gerety and Tom Stewart, edited by Larney himself, features Larney on
acoustic guitar and vocal, joined by Adam Strange on keyboards, Joel
Kelley on electric guitar, Kenny Cash on bass, and Jeff Hatcher on the
drums.
The
emotionally charged “Backlash” is a uniquely authored reflection of the
songwriter’s own despair over the current state of American media and
politics. Larney sings about the hate and anger that we all seem to
share these days regardless of which side of the aisle we are on:
feelings honed by the constant bombardment of the media, turning to
detachment and isolation in almost a benign effort to cope. Infusing
these emotions in a song with a melody that is at times melancholic as
uplifting, that somehow leaves us with a bit of hope at the end, is all a
part of what makes Brian Larney brilliant and unique as a songwriter.
In
some ways, the new video may be Larney’s own artistic Backlash to the
first video he released from the album last month called “Flickering.”
That song is yet another reference to the constant glare of the media
dominating our attention, a theme clearly on the mind of this very
relevant and thoughtful artist.
Though
“America Needs The Town Hall” is not an overtly political album, there
is no getting around Larney’s own hard left stance on most political
issues; though he tends to keep his lyrics poetic and therefore not so
specific that the listener can’t paint their own picture:
“I
see the look before in your eyes, filled with gloom. The TV is on in
the room. A thousand yard stare I just can’t get through, you’re not
alone in this cold room, Don’t get tangled or torn up in two, caught up
in a backlash…"
Backlash
is the second song from the new album released by Larney, who is most
well known for his work in the alt-folk group Lines West. The Town Hall
is the songwriter’s first solo record since starting Lines West with
partner John Radzin. As a solo artist, Larney has been compared to
Father John Misty, City and Colour, Hozier, and the Lumineers.
“I
have released a couple of albums as Brian Larney, but I wanted this to
be a band record, so I had to give it a name.“The Town Hall” spoke to
me. The original title of the record was “The Charm Offensive,” but that
became “America Needs the Town Hall” based on a political button I saw
that said, “America Needs J.F.K.” That was it,” Larney said.
America Needs The Town Hall. Indeed.
BACKLASH: New Music Video from The Town Hall Band Featuring Singer Songwriter Brian Larney, From his New Indie Rock Album "America Needs The Town Hall"
www.TheTownHallBand.com
BACKLASH: New Music Video from The Town Hall Band Featuring Singer Songwriter Brian Larney, From his New Indie Rock Album "America Needs The Town Hall"
www.TheTownHallBand.com
