Out of Focus: Walker Lukens, Three Bones and More

Out of Focus

There are a lot of videos coming out of Austin these days, so we’ve decided to make life easier for you by compiling some of the most notable into a recurring feature called Out of Focus.

Walker Lukens- “Every Night”

 

It’s not every day that I have to worry about “spoiling” a music video, but such is the case with Walker Lukens’ new “Every Night” clip. Trust me when I say the overwhelming cutesiness of a couple spending an entire day on Facetime with each other goes in a different direction than you probably suspect. Lobo Sucio Creative continues Lukens’ streak of fun, inventive videos and even before things change direction, the team has done a great job curating a certain kind of Austin experience as Walker and his ladyfriend dare each other to do more and more outlandish stuff, from sneakily putting shots in people’s coffee to shoplifting entire costumes from Lucy in Disguise. But before I say too much, just go watch it.

 

Three Bones- “Hold On to Ya”

 

Three Bones’ video for “Hold On To Ya” kind of makes me wonder if they’re repositioning themselves as a guitar pop YACHT. Hear me out: the group has adopted all white suits and weird hair, there are artsy projections behind them and they seem to be involved in some cult ritual where they exorcise emotional demons through primal screams and paint drops and bad dancing. I think this is a good direction to ride out, personally, so I’ll stick around and see where it takes them. Teaming up with Gene Bigio for co-direction and cinematography, the video certainly has a ’70s art film charm to it but without as much pomposity or inexplicable nudity, making it a more entertaining experience than “band dances in front of a screen” videos typically are. That said, I’m hoping the next video venture will set the band free from the confines of a warehouse with a bedsheet and out into the world.

 

Leach- “Grown Up”

 

 

Musically, Leach has the sound of Animal Collective and Passion Pit constructing perfect bedroom pop without interruption, sweet synth sounds for the shy and awkward footed. But Leach’s “Grown Up” video is that awkwardness made maximum, just Leach skipping rope and mouthing his lyrics as the song plays on. The effect is akin to a Miranda July performance art piece, though I’m not certain that’s intentional. Regardless of whether it is or isn’t awkward on purpose, the video nonetheless fits the message, basically arguing that being “Grown Up” means embracing your fun and rolling with the verbal punches, ignoring whoever’s out there ready to judge you for skipping rope like no one’s watching. It’s a simple, basically static video but it’s hard to take your eyes off of it because it’s just so endearingly honest.


Nick Hanover got his degree from Disneyland, but he’s the last of the secret agents and he’s your man. Which is to say you can find his particular style of espionage here at Ovrld as well as Loser City, where he mostly writes about comics. You can also flip through his archives at  Comics Bulletin, which he is formerly the Co-Managing Editor of, and Spectrum Culture, where he contributed literally hundreds of pieces for a few years. Or if you feel particularly adventurous, you can always witness his odd .gif battles with his friends and enemies on twitter: @Nick_Hanover