This weirdly affecting video for Michigan trio Breathe Owl Breath’s “Boat” was directed by Weston Currie, who recently brought us two views of Abe Vigoda. Micah Middaugh (vocals, guitar), Andrea Moreno-Beals (vocals, cello), and Trevor Hobbs (percussion) hang around by an autumnal lake and forest on the grayest of days, all shadows and fall trees. There’s a cloak, an old-fashioned colorful bonnet, and something hiding in a box awaiting its chance to fly. The most striking moment occurs after a minute or so of the members smiling, laughing or staring into the distance when they finally start their singing: “What if the sound waves to you / ‘Bye bye for now,’ / and leaves you.’” It’s reminiscent of stripped-down Poi Dog Pondering, if those folks started out in East Jordan, Michigan and not Hawaii. And you wouldn’t be wrong to hear Jonathan Richman (via Bowerbirds) in Middaugh’s intonations. Get your feet wet:
The Ghost Glacier EP is out now via eMusic Selects. You can hear more at the band’s MySpace.
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I have loved BOB for awhile now and it is great to see them getting some love!
Same. Great little Michigan band that deserves more attention.
As a proud, sullen Michigander, I really want root for the home team here but I can’t help but be incurably disgusted at the singer’s completely shameless Bill Callahan impression down to the PHRASINGS! I know others have slung this mud in the past, but it really is irritating. There are dozens of voices in every larynx–choose a different one.
Great video, great song.
I’m on a boat!
Beautiful song. I do say, that lanky fellow wading through the water has a magnificent beard!