Milwaukee has really stepped up its music video game lately.
With the number of talented directors and skilled filmmakers in town routinely putting striking visuals and innovative concepts to music, it’s only natural that musicians from other places should look Milwaukee’s way for help with their videos. Last month, Sylvan Esso premiered a video that doubled as a Bay View love letter, and utilized Milwaukeeans for its cast and crew. Tuesday, Entertainment Weekly debuted another video by a non-Milwaukee artist with area ties.
In his music video for “Motion Lines,” Los Angeles rapper Busdriver enlisted the directorial acumen of Milwaukee rapper and filmmaker WC Tank. Increasing the local connection even more, the projector- and butt-cheek-heavy video features Milwaukee’s own Becky Cofta in the role of the woman scorn. Busdriver and Tank previously worked together on the Hellfyre Club video for “DVT,” which came out in January. Tank is also in the process of editing a feature-length Hellfyre Club documentary, which he shot while on tour with the L.A. collective last winter.
Another unrelated bit of local relevance: Busdriver’s latest album, 2014’s Perfect Hair, also features beats from Milwaukee producer Riley Lake on the song “Colonize The Moon.” See Busdriver with Clipping and (Milwaukee expat) Milo Thursday, October 23 at Cactus Club.