The Get Up Kids, The Epitome, The Freedom Affair, and more of the best local music videos

Illustrated by Katelyn Betz

In this latest Cine Local roundup of the latest in local music videos, we have songs of love—both complicated and pure—and protest music. That pretty much sums up where we are as summer begins to fade and transition into red and yellow falling leaves. Whether you’re a rocker, boogie aficionado, folkie, or indie fan, we’ve got something for you.

The Get Up Kids, “Holiday” 

The Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About celebrates its 25 anniversary this year. If you’d like to feel old as you search the archival footage assembled by Director Shawn Brackbill for this first-ever music video for album opener “Holiday,” you’re welcome to do so, but feel free to revel in how hearing that pick slide that kicks off the song makes you feel like a teenager again and see how much of that youthful joie de vivre carries you through the rest of your day.

The 25 anniversary deluxe edition of the Get Up Kids’ Something to Write Home About is available from Polyvinyl Records.

pure xtc, “Mood Ring” 

“We love each other even though we’re fucking crazy.” That’s a line about an ex I think everyone can identify with in some way or another. Taylor Hughes’ latest as pure xtc is a synthy banger with a killer hook, and the Phillip Arthur Dixon-directed video manages to capture both the excitement of a pure xtc performance and the madness of dealing with randomly running into your ex unprepared. Props to the prominent product placement of my current favorite cheap beer, Montucky Cold Snacks. Love it when someone provides free beverages to keep a bunch of extras lubricated through a long shoot.

pure xtc plays Mid-Missouri PrideFest on Saturday, September 28. Details on that show here.

The Freedom Affair, “Love Is Love” 

The Freedom Affair leans into all eras of soul and R&B, but there’s no denying that their recent single, “Love Is Love,” feels like it could’ve easily come out alongside fellow Kansas City purveyors of smooth jams Bloodstone’s “Natural High” and nobody would’ve blinked an eye. The dancing, kissing, swaying, joyous array of couples on the dance floor in this video from Director Dave Brick and Director of Photography Chris Durr is pure joy. And there’s a Soul Train line? Grown folks get down.

The Freedom Affair plays a Light Up the Lawn show at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art at Johnson County Community College on Friday, August 23. Details on that show here.

The Epitome, “What Are We?” 

Following on the heels of “Way Up,” “What Are We?”—the second single from the upcoming Boujie in Venice—is an emotionally-open re-telling of a conversation between two adults, both openly sharing their feelings, but not angry or cruel to either party. The video by Viewpoint Visuals, and directed by Melo Mike, plays like a real conversation, back and forth between Glenn Robinson and Tianna Dejae, who plays the woman in question. Unlike anything you’ve heard or seen from the Epitome, it’s low-key, but, again, it’s raw and real.

The Epitome plays the Amira Wang-presented Titties & Tequila Festival at Lemonade Park on Saturday, August 31. Details on that show here.

CJ Lawrence, “The Battle” 

Am I featuring this video because it has a serious pro-LGBTQ+ message? Yes. Am I featuring this video it’s pro-Palestine? Yes. Am I featuring this video because it’s just a generally positive message to keep fighting, regardless of your battle? Yes. Also, I’d like to encourage more singer-songwriters to make music videos because there’s something powerful about adding a visual to your words and music. The simple collection of sticker slaps, boxing footage, and performance imagery from Director Carol Carpenter makes for a potent combination with Lawrence’s words.

The Rainmakers and Friends, “Waiting on a Wave” 

Joining Bob Walkenhorst and company of friends are a large crew consisting of David and Jimmy Nace, Sunae Fisher, Betse & Clarke, Kelley Hunt, Kadesh Flow, Danny Cox, Sunny Snoderly, and Joseph Snoderly-Cox. In this video they exhort listeners to get out and vote in the upcoming presidential election. It opens with a literal blue wave, which might be a little on the nose, but protest music has never been subtle, nor should it be. Add in some stellar production from David George, and this is a potent message. I mean, c’mon: Kelley Hunt, Bob Walkenhorst, and Danny Cox singing together and a Kadesh Flow interlude? You can’t ask for more than that.

Are you a local artist with a new music video to share? Email nicholas.spacek@gmail.com