October 2018’s Best Music Videos with Thom Yorke, The 1975, Vince Staples and More

The following is a selection of some of the best indie music videos dropped during October 2018, including videos from Thom Yorke & Greenpeace; Vince Staples; The 1975; Weezer and others.

Subscribe and like and share our IndieRockTV Music Videos channel with more Best Indie Rock Music Videos of 2018 plus many other types of playlists. We try to pick only the best videos and songs.

Thom Yorke – “Hands Off The Antarctic”

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke dropped a new track, “Hands Off The Antarctic,” in collaboration with Greenpeace in October in suport of the organization’s appeals to the Antarctic Ocean Commission to create an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. The song is a hypnotic, pulsing instrumental with muffled electronic drums. The song was released with the above video footage recorded by the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise.

Yorke’s statement: “There are some places on this planet that are meant to stay raw and wild and not destroyed by humanity’s footprint.” On October 26th, Yorke released his soundtrack album to Suspiria and will embark on a North American tour beginning later this month.


Vince Staples – “Fun”

Prolific producer Kenny Beats recently worked with hiphop artist Vince Staples on his latest album, bringing back some of the West Coast/HYPHY sound that made Staples his name in the world of hiphop. The album features the track “Fun” with the fresh accompanying music video above.


1975 – “Love It If We Made It”

The 1975 have already released – count it – five singles from their upcoming album, and this, “Love It If We Made It” is the third video from the album. For an album that hasn’t been released, that’s revealing; just goes to show how ‘sacred’ albums are nowadays.


Cheval Sombre and Dean Wareham – “Grand Canyon”

Not only is this a great song from two artists – Cheval Sombre and Dean Wareham – that don’t get enough notice, but we love the time-sequencing, colors and the graphical transformation from the dazzling sunset in the desert to the dark inky canvas of night dabbled with shimmering stars and finishd with the cold thin brush of a crescent moon.

To add to the credits, Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields, Future Bible Heroes), wrote the song. For all that have had the fortune of visiting the Grand Canyon, this track and song will likely have a special meaning.


Weezer – “Can’t Knock The Hustle”

This video, featuring Rivers Wentz, of Weezer’s new single, “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” the first from their impending Black Album (no release date yet), is kind of funny, if not a bit overstated. Still, anyone who has been an Uber or taxi driver for long enough has probably had a few such fares.

The single is produced by TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek. Weezer is gearing up for a spring 2019 tour with the Pixies. That’ll be a show to see. Although one does wonder if Weezer was the best pick for the Pixies’ opener.


Other Videos

See more videos and playlists via IRC’s IndieRockTV Music Videos channel



London Band Curse of Lono Drop Videos for ‘Saturday Night’ Indie Short Film and Debut EP

The UK rock band Curse of Lono has been releasing a visually striking series of music videos that are part of a four-chapter, 18-minute short film and accompanying debut EP.

This newest, and third chapter, of the short film is “Saturday Night”, was inspired by a waitress that songwriter Felix Bechtolsheimer met while he was living in a sober house.

“I wrote [“Saturday Night”] for a beautiful waitress I met while I was living in a sober house…[she] died of a heroin overdose less than a year later and the song spent years sitting on the shelf gathering dust.”

Years later, he says, “When I stumbled across ‘Saturday Night,’ I had a big smile on my face. Lyrically there’s a lot of sexual innuendo but under the surface it sums up the sense of weariness and nihilism that surrounded my group of friends when we were in our teens and early twenties.”

The compelling, at times even dazzling, video was created with director and cinematographer Alex Walker (A Bird’s Nest, No One Will Know) and was shot by cinematographer Bart Sienkiewicz.

The collection of songs that emerged since then has formed a stunningly cinematic EP that combines spaced out, melodic, harmony-laden indie roots with driving, gothic guitar alt-rock elements, and a visually compelling story from start to finish.

Bechtolsheimer formed Curse of Lono in London in 2015 following the breakup of British roots pioneers Hey Negrita. Last summer, ex-Hey Negrita drummer Neil Findlay; lead guitarist Joe Hazell; bassist Charis Anderson and keyboardist Dani Ruiz Hernandez all joined Bechtolsheimer to complete the band.

Listen to more on the Curse of Lono’s Soundcloud page

Curse of Lono official website

New Music Videos from Ash, Surfer Blood, Matt & Kim, Monsters of Folk, Japandroids, Fool’s Gold and Little Comets


MP3: “Joy Kicks Darkness” (sample) – Ash

With the introduction of their unique A-Z singles subscription service last month, members of the indie band Ash have created a new type of music distribution model. For a one-time subscription fee of approximately $20, subscribers will receive 26 vinyl and digital copies of new songs – one every two weeks – until October 2010. Regardless of when subscribers sign up, they will receive all 26 vinyl and/or digital singles. The first single, “True Love 1980”, was released last month.

After deciding they would never again release a traditional LP record, and instead only put out series of singles, Ash devised the A-Z subscription series (see the promo video below). By doing so, the band has set out into a brave new world where the musicians take back more control of their work while simultaneously focusing on building a stronger relationship with their most dedicated and loyal fans.

If you think about it – from a marketing standpoint, and other angles like promotion, fan retention and publicity – the idea is genius. Don’t be surprised if other artists and bands follow a similar path to releasing new music (we’ll have more about this later in a feature called “Is the LP Concept Dead?”).

To find the subscription that works best for you – including iTunes – visit the band’s official web store. Check out the FAQs page for full details.


There are hundreds of new music videos that have come out in the past few weeks and months, but the following are favorites here in the cafe. Included in this installment of New Music Videos are song reels from the awesome ‘buzz’ band Surfer Blood, plus Matt & Kim, Monsters of Folk, Japandroids, Fool’s Gold, The Horrors, Little Comets and an album promo video of Julian Casablancas‘ Phrazes for the Young. First, though, check out this just released (11/16) video of Beck and The Record Club (including Wilco and Feist members) covering former Moby Grape and Jefferson Starship member Skip Spence‘s “Little Hands,” followed by an MP3 of the original song.


MP3: “Little Hands” – Skip Spence


MP3: “Swim (To Reach The End)” – Surfer Blood


MP3: “Daylight” – Matt & Kim


MP3: “Say Please”Monsters of Folk


MP3: “Crazy/Forever”Japandroids


MP3: “Whole New Way” – The Horrors


Julian Casablancas – Album Preview Video for Phrazes for the Young
MP3: “11th Dimension”Julian Casablancas


MP3: “Surprise Hotel”Fool’s Gold

In Case You Missed:

Names in Songs, Mix II: Freelance Whales, Conor Oberst, The Kinks, Animal Collective, The Dodos & Yo La Tengo

The Musical Genius of Singer-Songwriter Will Stratton

Today’s Best Indie Rock Releases: Zack Martin, Anders Ponders, Tommy T, Pants Yell and Bears In Heaven

The Interestingly Eccentric Indie Rock of Brooklyn’s One Man Band Brad Oberhofer

Indie Cover Songs, Vol. V: The Format, Ruby Weapon, Radiohead, Broken Social Scene, Dr. Dog & Band of Horses

Band of The Week: Long Beach Folk Pop Band Avi Buffalo

Today’s New Indie Releases: Orba Squara, The Swell Season, The Whigs, I Love You, Glass Ghost, Pugwash, Lullwater & More

New Videos from Grizzly Bear, Yo La Tengo, No Age, Beck and The Record Club and The Valentines


“Ready, Able”Grizzly Bear from Veckatimest (2009)

Kicking off this latest installment of Indie Rock Videos is the just released official video (above) of Grizzly Bear‘s “Ready, Able” from their highly acclaimed 2009 LP, Veckatimest. Check out Yo La Tengo performing “Here To Fall” from their latest LP, Popular Songs, on a rooftop in Brooklyn last month for Pitchfork TV.

Following Yo La Tengo is another Pitchfork TV premier of No Age‘s video for the title track off their latest EP, Losing Feeling. Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman Billy Corgan stopped by David Lynch Foundation’s studios recently to talk about the song crafting process, including his contribution to Lynch’s film soundtrack for Lost Highway.

Beck and The Record Club continue to dazzle with their cover versions of Leonard Cohen songs; during the summer, the club launched their project with various cover songs from The Velvet Underground. Featured below is the video for the Cohen cover of “Sisters of Mercy,” (plus the original track) featuring Beck, Devendra Banhart and MGMT. Lastly, watch a new video from The Valentines, a UK rock band that you probably unfamiliar with, but hopefully will hear more from in the near future. The vid was sent in by director Liam Simpson.


“Here To Fall”Yo La Tengo from Popular Songs (2009)


“You’re A Target”No Age from Losing Feeling EP (2009)


“Eye” Smashing Pumpkins from Lost Highway soundtrack (1996)


“Sisters of Mercy” (Original Version) – Leonard Cohen from Greatest Hits (1975)


Stream “We Are The Band” and other songs from this up and coming UK band (not to be confused with The Valentines band of four decades ago).

Other Posts You Might Enjoy:

In The Reels: ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ and Karen O and The Kids Soundtrack

New Music Videos from The Bright Light Social Hour, Pearl Jam, The Flaming Lips and IndieDoc Film ‘East of Sunset’

Indie Cover Songs, Vol. V: The Format, Ruby Weapon, Radiohead, Broken Social Scene, Dr. Dog & Band of Horses

Ears To The Music, VIII: Mountain Goats, Chll Pll, Shaky Hands, Mission of Burma, Land of Talk, The Very Most & More

Today’s Best Indie Releases: Julian Casablancas, Yeasayer, The Swimmers and the Nocturnal States Compilation

Band of The Week: Long Beach Folk Pop Band Avi Buffalo

Special Playlists:

Alternative and Indie Christmas Songs Playlist Mix Series

The Definitive Collection of Indie Halloween Songs

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In The Reels: ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ and Karen O and The Kids Soundtrack


The long-awaited major movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak‘s timeless classic Where The Wild Things Are premiered in theaters nationwide this weekend. As everyone who has fond memories, and some scary ones too, of the words and illustrations that made the wild things an unforgettable tale, we are excited to see the much anticipated film by accomplished director Spike Jonze. The clip below shows Jonze and Sendak discussing the adaptation and also delves into why Sendak feels the film is a great compliment to his original work.

You can also view a number of HD You Tube video clips from the movie itself and view some of the related links we thought you might appreciate.
There is another vital aspect about the film that has received plenty of attention. The soundtrack. If you haven’t already heard, the soundtrack for the film is the work of an impressive line-up of indie musicians, include Karen O herself, the lead singer for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the following artists:

Bradford Cox (Deerhunter)
Brian Chase and Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Dean Fertita ( The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs)
Aaron Hemphill (Liars)
Greg Kurstin (The Bird and the Bee)
Jack Lawrence (The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs)
Oscar Michel (Gris Gris)
Imaad Wasif (New Folk Implosion, Alaska)

“All is Love”Karen O & The Kids from Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack (2009)
“Igloo”Karen O & The Kids from Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack (2009)
“Rumpus” Karen O & The Kids from Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack (2009)
“Building All is Love”Karen O & The Kids from Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack (2009)
“Hidaway”Karen O & The Kids from Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack (2009)

Buy the album here.

This is the Arcade Fire track “Wake Up”, that has been used nationwide in television and other media channel promotions for the Where The Wild Things Are.

Songs not associated with the official soundtrack:

“Where The Wild Things Are”Patrick Watson
“Where The Wild Things Are (Overture)”Randall Woolf
“Where The Wild Things Are” Chenard Walcker
“Where The Wild Things Are”Metallica
“Where The Wild Things Roam”?Mystery Artist?

The following is a great behind-the-scenes video with Sendak talking about Jonze’s film adaptation:

There’s a lively debate about Sendak’s comment in the Oct. 19 issue of Newsweek that parents concerned with the darkness of the movie “can go to hell.” Geez…

YouTube official clips from the movie:

This is Our Family

The Sun Will Die

What’s Your Story?

Dirt Clod Fight

Still Shots from the movie

Here’s an older video animation adaptation of Wild Things Are using artwork from the original book; and, here’s another.

What a Metromix review of the film.

President Obama reading Where The Wild Things Are to school children at the White House. Check out that Secret Service guy on the right side of the screen. He’s creepier than the monsters in the book.

Stream the entire album via Imeem

Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack

New Music Videos from The Bright Light Social Hour, Pearl Jam, The Flaming Lips and IndieDoc Film ‘East of Sunset’


“Back and Forth” – The Bright Light Social Hour from s/t EP (2009)

The first video presented in this special indie and alternative rock video special feature is from the Austin band The Bright Light Social Hour who created quite a buzz at the Austin City Limits Festival on Friday, grabbing the Sound & Jury award.

Also check out new music videos from Pearl Jam, The Flaming Lips, Sufjan Stevens, The Dodos, Yo La Tengo, The Antlers, Fanfarlo, Portugal The Man, Port O’Brien, Volcano Choir, Sunset Rubdown and a special preview of the new indie rockumentary East of Sunset.













The new indie film East of Sunset examines the indie rock music scene in communities east of the Sunset Strip, such as Silverlake and Echo Park. The film features LA-area popular bands like The Happy Hallows, The Henry Clay People, Le Switch, The Transmissions, The Movies, plus bands and artists that broke out from the strip to a national and international audience over the years, including indie rockers like Silversun Pickups, Everest, Beck, Elliott Smith, Earlimart and The Airborne Toxic Event.

In addition to performances, the film features interviews with Los Angeles music writers and DJs as well as band members of some of the most popular of the hundreds of bands and artists making the scene in east LA. The film was produced and directed by Ryan Maples and it is being distributed in partnership with Thrillhouse Productions. Check out