Without too much backstory on each contribution, let’s send some attention to newly released local, or locally tied music, via video and audio links. What a world of plenty!
Molly Simms, “On The Way”
A video for Miss Molly Simms debuted via RFT Music earlier this week. According to Daniel Hill: “The video is for the title track of Simms’ LP and was filmed by Brandon Sloan of Dancing Shoes Productions, who has shot video for Prince Ea, Al Holliday, Cara Louise and more. Scenes were shot on back roads in Marquand, Missouri, and at Simms’ home, as well as a few beloved Cherokee Street watering holes.” True enough.
J’Demul, “Moon”
Sent in with just a wee bit of supplemental info is this new video for J’Demul, compliments of the ever-hardworking, slightly mysterious hip-hop video artist known as Louis Quatorze. Though essentially shot at night, “Moon” still has that local feel (hello: brick houses and 314 area codes), a hallmark of the director’s style. And if the Cotton Belt’s not the most photographed building in town, we don’t know which would get that title; try to spot its cameo in the clip above.
St. Louis expat Courtnie Henson was kind enough to send along a note that read like so: “My name is Courtnie. As a St. Louis native, I vowed that when I had a new release I would reach out to you guys. My friend Mvstermind was sweet enough to send me your contact info! I have a new project coming out soon, and I'm releasing the first single called ‘Heart's Desire’ on Wednesday, July 27. You can check it out here. I'd love to know what you think and if you're down to post it/do a write up I'd be HONORED!” No, no, we’re the ones honored to share this track ably produced by Brandon Combs, even if it’s a week late. Whoops!
Finn’s Motel, “(It’s a) Sign of Weakness”
It’s been a too-long decade since the last Finn’s Motel full-length, but bandleader Joe Thebeau’s been highlighting individual cuts from the next release with occasional social media teases. The pop/rock act subtly offered a track via Facebook earlier this week, with the note: “Just for the fun of it, here's a Finn's Motel tune that we mixed last year. It's sitting in the vault waiting to be part of an album once we get all this stuff mixed and sequenced.”
John Donovan, “Life is a Wave”
Consistently producing new music and sharing it via Soundcloud, this local songwriter’s prolific stream has seen at least five songs added in the last month, with several more in the month prior to that. Also a member of the St. Louis group Trotting Bear, Donovan’s home-produced sketches are always an interesting treat. We’d say we’re sharing his latest cut, “Life is a Wave,” but he may have already posted something new in the meantime.