“Lo-Res” live on WHYY</h1> <article> <h1>“Lo-Res” live on WHYY</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:09:10 +0000</p> <p><center> <param name="movie" value="http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fhightwo%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F550742%3Freferrer%3Dblip%2Etv%26source%3D1&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf" /><param name="quality" value="best" /></object> </center></p> <p>It was totally weird, but a great experience in the end. The night started out with me getting their two hours early (earliness being a chronic affliction I live with). The floor people were busy with shooting the pledge drive during an Andreas Bocelli concert. The Paul Green School of Rock kids and staff were manning the phones. They were pretty much “all business”… Not too interested in lonely little ole me. As time went by, I began to think about how I could get out of it… Maybe fake a sore throat, or break a finger or something… No dice. Then, someone banging on the glass in the front of the building sent alarm through the floor people. They were live on the air, after all. Lo and behold, it was Pierre Robert. In walked this crazy man, with his crazy hair and beard (and a huge brush to maintain it all). The place came to life. He was outgoing and sweet. Very interested and lively. He cursed every now and then.</p> <p>Sure enough I was no longer thinking things like, “the door slammed in my face, that’s how I broke my nose… Sorry I’ll have to be going… Don’t worry I won’t sue… I love public television…” This aired in the first break of the Bob Dylan documentary. I was home no<br /> more than 10 minutes later. Amy and I were watching the program and at the final break, while I was sitting on the couch eating a bowl of soup and a sandwich, Pierre Robert said a special thanks to Brian McTear.</p> <p>No sweat, Pierre!</p> </article> <article> <h1>“Peace is burning like a river” by Bitter Bitter Weeks</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:09:12 +0000</p> <p><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js?ver=2007082501"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=378709&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_378709"><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-BitterBitterWeeksPeaceIsBurningLikeARiver181.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_378709(); return false;"></a><br /><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-BitterBitterWeeksPeaceIsBurningLikeARiver181.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_378709(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> <p> </center> <div class="blip_description"><span><br /><strong><em>Peace is burning like a river</em></strong> was started in April, 2003 when Amy and I were on tour with <strong>Lefty's Deceiver</strong> and <strong>Matt Pond PA</strong>. We were just starting the tour when the war was imminent. By the time we were in the Mid west, roadside propaganda was terrifying. I think we all felt pretty helpless.</p> <p> Like a lot of my songs, I get about two lines into them, then get totally stumped, which makes it so at any time I am carrying around 10 or 12 songs in various states of completion. </p> <p><em>Peace</em> resumed sometime shortly after Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech, which of course is now commonly considered to be absurd, though at that time, we should all remember, the press bought it. A lot of people bought it… or decided to buy it. It felt like the nation had completely lost it's mind. We were helpless and frustrated and all we could do was try to live like life was normal. </p> <p> The song ends with a rearrangement of the spiritual hymn, <em>Peace is Flowing like a River</em>. Somehow, blindness seemed like a suitable consolation to complete loss of hope.</p> <p><strong>Albert Birney</strong> put together the video for <em>Peace is Burning Like a River</em>. I think he is AMAZING, and I am truly humbled by his agreeing to do this. Birney's work can also be seen in videos for Philadelphia greats <strong>The Spinto Band</strong>, and <strong>The Capitol Years</strong>.</p> <p> See also: <br /><a href="http://www.albertbirney.com/" target="_blank"> Albert Birney</a><br /><a href="http://www.capitolyears.com/" target="_blank"> Capitol Years</a><br /><a href="http://www.spintoband.com/" target="_blank"> Spinto Band</a><br /><span> </span></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>“Writing Letters” by Bitter bitter weeks</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:57:03 +0000</p> <p><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js?ver=2007062101"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=353228&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=mpeg4&player_width=480&player_height=320"></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_353228"><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-WritingLetterByBitterBitterWeeks722.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_353228(); return false;"></a><br /><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-WritingLetterByBitterBitterWeeks722.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_353228(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> <p> </center> <div class="blip_description"><span> I am so glad I asked Greg to shoot this! Over the past few years he’s described for me in great detail an idea he has for a film called <em>Children of Stone</em>. It’s unbelievably, awesomely disturbing and I know that despite the fact that it hasn’t been made yet. I can’t wait.</p> <p> Greg is a main figure in the great psychedelic folk band, <strong>Espers</strong> from Philadelphia. He also plays in a group that has written a new score for Jaromil Jires’ Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970) and is performing it live with the film under the name <strong>The Valerie Project</strong>. On top of that, Greg runs his own <strong>Hexam Head Studios</strong> where he has worked with Will Oldham, Fern Knight, Marissa Nadler and a ton of others.</p> <p> Additional performance footage (my weird mouth) was shot by Conrad Zimmer, who also edited the video.</p> <p> See also:<br /><a href="http://www.valerieproject.org/" target="_blank">http://www.valerieproject.org/</a><br /><a href="http://espers.org/" target="_blank">http://espers.org/</a></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>“Hanna” by Bitter bitter weeks</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:31:03 +0000</p> <p><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js?ver=2007062101"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=326873&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_326873"><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-HannaByBitterBitterWeeks596.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_326873(); return false;"></a><br /><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-HannaByBitterBitterWeeks596.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_326873(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> <p> </center> <div class="blip_description"><span>The video for Hanna was conceived and directed by film maker Jon Michals and was shot and edited by Conrad Zimmer. </p> <p> <blockquote> This song reminded me of long teenage early summer days before you have access to a car and when you are just beginning to cause havoc (on foot/bike). Like the feeling of the early 80’s cult classic <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCTaDgXrKQA&mode=related&search="> Over the Edge</a></em>. These memories have a perfect combination of extreme boredom and endless excitement. Even though at the time all you want is to leave, I would go back there if I could.</p> <p>The group of roving warriors appearing include my cousin Ashley and her friends Verity, Emme, Maddie and Mackenzie. Hopefully they will start a band together.</p> <p>I make TV shows and movies.</p> <p>Love,<br /> <strong>Jon Michals</strong> (aka Jonny Mikes) </p></blockquote> <p></span></div> </article> <article> <h1>“Sincerely, the last century” by Bitter bitter weeks</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:01:06 +0000</p> <p><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js?ver=2007062101"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=297343&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_297343"><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-SincerelyTheLastCenturyByBitterBitterWeeks503.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_297343(); return false;"></a><br /><a rel="enclosure" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-SincerelyTheLastCenturyByBitterBitterWeeks503.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_297343(); return false;">Click to Play</a></div> <p> </center> <div class="blip_description">Credits:<br /><span>Sincerely</span>, The Last Century</p> <p>His name is Joe Sullivan. He’s 57, and he’s been collecting trains for 53<br />years. He’s even talked to Neil Young.</p> <p>This footage was shot at the end of the Summer, 2006. Philadelphians,<br />particularly those familiar with Girard Avenue, will recognize the green 15<br />trolley, which was recently brought back to life here in the last two years.</p> <p>He’s an infamous figure in Fishtown, a talker with practically no<br />self-censorship (though he won’t curse around Amy). I’ve seen Joe in his<br />auto-repair shop across from the studio nearly every day since we moved here two years ago.</p> <p>Directed and Edited by Brian McTear</p></div> </article> <article> <h1>“Lo-res” by Bitter bitter weeks</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:45:56 +0000</p> <p><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=267649&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=mpeg4&player_width=480&player_height=320"></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_267649"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-Lores524.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_267649(); return false;"></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-Lores524.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_267649(); return false;">Click To Play</a></div> <p> </center> <div class="blip_description">The footage for “Lo-res” was collected in February 2007 by Quentin Stoltzfus (of Philadelphia’s Mazarin) and Scott McMicken (of new Philadelphia sensations, Dr. Dog). I love it because it is both colorful and colorless: Wallpaper, lights, empty trees, Philadelphia streets, the Fishtown cemetary.</p> <p>Additional footage was shot by Conrad Zimmer at the studio under oppressively hot lights. He is the real professional touch in all this! We have 3 more coming from him!</p> <p>Video Footage:<br />Quentin Stoltzfus and Scott McMicken<br />Edited by Conrad Zimmer</p> <p>See also:<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/mazarinband" target="_blank">http://www.myspace.com/mazarinband</a><br /><a href="http://myspace.com/drdog" target="_blank">http://myspace.com/drdog</a></div> </article> <article> <h1>“Danger in the halls” by Bitter bitter weeks</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Tue, 15 May 2007 12:30:46 +0000</p> <p><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=250815&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=mpeg4&player_width=480&player_height=320"></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_250815"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-DangerInTheHalls191.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_250815(); return false;"></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-DangerInTheHalls191.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_250815(); return false;">Click To Play</a></div> <p> </center> <div class="blip_description">“Danger in the halls” is a song about ghost dreams. I have them all the time, and only recently learned they were partly the result of opening my eyes while I am asleep. The footage was shot in September 2006 in the home that my dear friend Brian Christinzio of the band <a href="http://bccamplight.com">BC Camplight</a> grew up in. According to him, it was haunted, or at the very least his childhood was.</p> <p>Video footage: Brian McTear and Brian Christinzio<br />Edited by Brian McTear<br /> See also: <a href="http://bccamplight.com">BCCamplight.com</a></div> <hr /> To post this to your blog or web site, paste this code:<br /> <span id="more-6"></span></p> <form><textarea name="NAME" cols=40 rows=8><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=250815&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_250815"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-DangerInTheHalls417.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_250815(); return false;"></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-DangerInTheHalls417.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_250815(); return false;">Click To Play</a></div> <p> </center></textarea></form> </article> <article> <h1>“Once and for all” by Bitter bitter weeks</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:50:34 +0000</p> <p><center> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=214267&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=mpeg4&player_width=480&player_height=320"></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_214267"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-OnceAndForAllByBitterBitterWeeks942.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_214267(); return false;"></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-OnceAndForAllByBitterBitterWeeks942.mp4" onclick="play_blip_movie_214267(); return false;">Click To Play</a></div> <p> </center> <div class="blip_description"><span><P><strong><em>Once and for All<br /></em></strong>Song and Video #1 from the new album.</p> <p> This was shot mostly by my brother, Ryan McTear. The performance footage is from Amy’s and my studio, MinerStreet Recordings. The rest of the imagery comes from the Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia, and a beach under the flight path of LAX. <P>The video was shot in September 2006. The band was rehearsing for its first show in New York at Pianos. Though great attempts were made to perform with the album version of the song for the video (in a lip-sync fashion), most of it came from the rehearsal itself. The line-up, at the time, was Patrick Berkery on drums and John Sheehan on bass, as well as Amy Morrissey on keyboards and Brian McTear on guitar and vocals (Hey, that’s basically the Novenas lineup…).<P> Video Footage:<br />Ryan McTear<br />Brian McTear<P> Edited by Brian McTear<code></code></p> <p>Actors:<br />Brian McTear: <em>Himself<br /></em>Amy Morrissey: <em>Jesse Gallagher<br /></em>John Sheehan: <em>Mike Fleming<br /></em>Pat Berkery: <em>Ric Menck</em></span></div> <p> See also:<br /><a href="http://RyanMcTear.com">RyanMcTear.com</a><br /> <a href="http://TheNovenas.com">The Novenas</a></p> <hr /> To post this to your blog or web site, paste this code:<br /> <span id="more-5"></span></p> <form><textarea name="NAME" cols=40 rows=8> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=214267&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height="></script> <div id="blip_movie_content_214267"><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-OnceAndForAllByBitterBitterWeeks914.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_214267(); return false;"></a><br /><a href="http://blip.tv/file/get/Peaceisburning-OnceAndForAllByBitterBitterWeeks914.flv" onclick="play_blip_movie_214267(); return false;">Click To Play</a></div> <p> </center></textarea></form> </article> <article> <h1>New site!</h1> <p>hightwo@hightwo.com (High Two) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:12:14 +0000</p> <p>This is the new video blog to document the videos created by Bitter Bitter Weeks for the band’s third album, <em>Peace is burning like a river</em>. The 10 videos created for the album will be posted here up to and after the album’s June 12, 2007 release date.</p> <p>Please come back and/or subscribe for updates. We have installed RSS syndication to notify you of new posts and made subscribing to the video series possible by the podcast subscription service of iTunes.</p> <p>We will also have information for you to post Flash versions of these videos on your blog or MySpace page.</p> </article> </main></body></html>