Video - Exit: Pursued By A Bear

Cork veterans Exit Pursued By A Bear have just released their new single, Hug. The track, and the accompanying video, are of such fine quality that they definitely deign a mention here on the D.

The band have always skittered around the electronic and the ambient, and Hug is a perfect example of how their sound is becoming ever more cohesive. The track is bathed in reverb; heavily effected guitars slink behind the loose drums and immediate vocals. The song’s bassline and pre-chorus breaks are a definite homage to reggae and dub. The track has a few peaks and troughs, but never really takes off, preferrring instead to give little crescendos then run back behind the wall of reverb and effects. It’s not a pop hit, but it’s an incredibly strong track that demands further listens.

The track’s elegant music video was directed by Cork up and comer, Shaun O’ Connor. Shaun has had a long standing relationship with Exit Pursued By A Bear, having directed two videos for them previous to this, as well as working with other rising Cork bands like Toy Soldier. And with works from Echogram, Ladydoll and Dave Hope and The Henchmen on the way, he’s definitely carving himself out a position of respect in the local scene.

In this case, the video reflects the mood and subject of the song very well. It’s shot in faint slow motion, echoing the laidback, almost lazy feel of the track. The heady emotions that go hand in hand with sexuality are expoused throughout. The excitement, the fear, the embarassement, the lust, the anger, the frustration and the intimacy are all very distinct in the short video. It’s beautifully sharp, and very well executed.

It’s indicitive of the state of the music industry in Ireland, and in general, that a independently shot music video has become part of the ‘package’ as much as having good music, good recordings, and guitars. Now if every band could put out the as high quality audio and visuals as Exit Pursued By A Bear have done here, we’d all be better off.

You can download Bug now directly from iTunes, or follow the links on the band’s Facebook here. Check out more from Shaun O’ Connor at his website here, and stay tuned for his new videos.

Published on Drop-D.ie, 9th August, 2011