Aaron James – Page 2 – Memphis Flyer

Today’s Music Video Monday takes it all back home.

“I feel like to some people in Memphis, I’m seen as ‘that kid from Pennsylvania’, but I don’t think anybody actually knows what that means,” sats Aaron James. “Pennsylvania is very different from Memphis, and sometimes I worry about how my music will resonate with people that have grown up in this city, when a lot of my inspiration comes from the rural area I grew up in, and being in that nature.”

James—with a little help from his friends and his father—shot the video to “Ends/Means” last December while visiting his family. He and his friends hike through the bucolic environs of Amish country, build a fire, and catch up. “It’s just us being us. Intentionally not fancy, because I just want people to see what it means to be me. It’s a very raw insight into my home, friends, and life, and because of that it’s very special to me.”

Music Video Monday: Aaron James

If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com

Today’s Music Video Monday will make you go “A-Ha!”

The University of Memphis’ music department has its own record label—Blue Tom Records, which gives students invaluable, hands-on experience in the chaotic world of the twenty first century music industry. Their biggest annual event is the Hear901 Festival. Now in its third year, Hear901 features the University of Memphis’ best bands, all on one stage. This year’s festival will take place on Friday, April 28 at The Bluff on Highland (formerly Newby’s for all you old schoolers out there). Sharing the stage with Haley Daniels, Flirting With Sincerely, Sonic Pulse, Kyndle McMahan, and headliners The Band CAMINO, is Aaron James. The indie folker serves up polished tunes on his new Blue Tom release Caught In The Corner of a Half Moon.

James’ new music video takes a page from the classic MTV playbook. “The Wile” combines hand-drawn rotoscoped animation by Shakeya Merriweather with live action footage of dancers Rachael Arnwine and Fannie Hortonm, shot by Eli WIlson. The effect will be familiar if you’ve ever seen the 1985 classic “Take On Me” video from Norwegian synth popsters A-Ha, but these young filmmakers take the trope to a new, intimate place.

Music Video Monday: Aaron James

If you would like to see your music video appear on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com