Twin Brother’s emotionally-wrought and all-around wonderful 2014 album Swallow The Anchor was a coming of age record that vaulted the fringe Milwaukee folk act to greater local consciousness and near the top of numerous year-end lists last month (including ours). One thing the band didn’t get around to during its breakout year was filming a music video. However, a contest for a Tiny Desk Concert at NPR’s studio prompted Twin Brother to finally get in front of a camera.
Milwaukee filmmaker Sean Williamson—who frequently directs Altos videos and made a feature film called Heavy Hands—shot the eight-minute desk-adjacent music video for “If Heart Was Enough” at the band’s downtown practice space. Perhaps the most somber song on an altogether sad record is rendered extra touching in the dim studio during the dead of winter. Submissions for the contest, which is accepting entries through the end of today, will be judged by a panel that includes master looper and Comedy Bang Bang! co-star Reggie Watts, Thao Nguyen, and producer John Congleton (of pAper chAse). In addition to getting to lay down a Tiny Desk session, the winner will also get to play a SXSW showcase in March.
Even if Twin Brother doesn’t win, Milwaukee gets a belated video from the band to hold us over until new material comes arrives. Check it out.