Video of The Day: The Shivas

There’s a bunch of videos out there. Some of them are good. Some of them are a cut above. I like to think my picks for Video of The Day are a cut (or two) above.

With a sound cheerfully blending together surf, doo-wop, and a glint of psych, The Shivas has struck some kind of gold with new nugget "Playing on The Radio." Playful and catchy as can be, this is one of those songs that is not only likely to get stuck in your head for days at a time, but also the kind of song to lead to spontaneous dance moves during your commute. Or in your house. Or in the grocery store. You get the idea.

For the video, directed by Omar Cervantes and Rafael Guzmán, the Portland band used Mexico as their setting, having toured there frequently and wanting to dispel negative imagery certain quarters spew forth on the regular. "Some people up North, force-fed hollow, one-sided, and manipulative media narratives, think of Mexico as a dangerous or scary place, when really the music and most things there are luminous, vibrant and full of life. We wanted to show some of the all-too-often ignored bright side, all the while making constant reference to the fact that our getting-to-know, visit, meet people, and experience things firsthand, was made possible only through music and community. Both of which we found on our trip, and continue to find as we travel around the world."

With the aid of some vibrantly colored scenery, locals with rad dance moves, and the final scene that brings it all together, I'd say this one's mission accomplished.

You'll find "Playing on The Radio" on the forthcoming Shivas record Dark Thoughts, out later this month (and available to pre-order now).

[posted 10.16.19]