Premiere: Walter TV’s Graceland

Today we’re watching the latest music video for Walter TV’s song “Graceland.” A hot-blooded, feral and fun tune, “Graceland” comes off the group’s new album Carpe Diem, which is out now via Sinderlyn. We talked to the video’s director, Rockaway mainstay Matt Volz, about his community-oriented video, which debuts acting from his neighbours, and local landscapers. Catch Pierce, Joe and Simon on their North American tour starting this week, dates listed below! 

Can you tell us about this story?

Matt: When I was about 13 I had an elderly neighbour that lived next door. No one had seen her in a few days, so my father climbed into her window to see if she was dead, while I waited by the window, cause he didn’t want me to see a dead body.

Where did you find the Pierce McGarry look-alike? 

Matt: I was staring at a customer at work saying to myself, “this dude looks like Pierce, and it would be funny to have him in the video playing Pierce.” I finally asked him if he was interested in acting. It was difficult to explain exactly what I wanted to do with the video, and this guy Barrie seemed a little hesitant, but interested. 

And who is the rest of the talent?

Matt: Maxine is my friend visiting from Switzerland. I’ve been filming her for a while, mostly trying things for the first time (pizza, snickers, candy corn, etc.) She has a great energy and a very pure beauty. The star of the video is Lennox. He works with me on the boardwalk, Lennox is the best dude, he’s from Jamaica and been living in Rockaway for 15 years. He’s 73 years old, but you wouldn’t know that chilling with him, he’s super proud of his kids and grand kids and has a great sense of humor.  He wants to film more, we’re working on a show together it’s gonna be great.

:)


Read this vintage interview we did with Walter TV at EM. 

Tour dates:

Oct 4th – Seattle – Chop Suey
Oct 5th –  Portland – Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 6th – Arcata – The Miniplex
Oct 7th – San Fran – Hemlock Tavern
Oct 8th – Santa Ana – Garden Ampitheater
Oct 9th – L.A. – Bootleg HIFI Bar
Oct 10th – Sand Diego – Blonde Bar
Oct 11th – Phoenix – LBX
Oct 12th – El Paso – Monarch
Oct 15th – Dallas – Armoury, D.E.
Oct 16th – Austin – Mohawk Inside
Oct 18th – New Orleans – Siberia
Oct 19th – Atlanta – The Earl
Oct 21th – Lexington – Al’s Bar
Oct 23th – Chicago – The Hideout
Oct 24th – Philadelphia – Space 1026
Oct 25th – Brooklyn – Alphaville
Oct 27th – Toronto – Smiling Buddha
Oct 28th – Montreal – Brasserie Beaubien