Breaking New Ground

Breaking New Ground
Oreo Blue’s new CD includes digital video track

Put Oreo Blue's new CD Ten Down in your CD player and you'll hear a lot of great rockin' blues tunes recorded live at the Kitchen Pass in Joplin this past New Year's Eve. But you'll not only hear great music, you'll see the first music video included on a local band's "Enhanced CD."

The video was produced by Jeannette Sinclair of Hot Java Studio in Fayetteville. Sinclair, who also designed the CD package and posters for the Ten Down release (as well as Oreo Blue's Ozark Music Award-winning CD cover for Rx for the Blues last year), used footage the band provided from previous shows as well as live footage from the night the CD was recorded and video clips from a photo shoot.

"I prefer to direct the action and start with a concept in place, but this was something put together almost completely from existing footage," Sinclair explained. "It turned out great. The band was thrilled with the final product."

The video showcases the OB's original tune "Two Frogs Boogie," an energetic rockin' blues tune written about a club in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where Oreo Blue likes to play. Why that song? Because it's Sinclair's favorite on the CD.

"It just jumped out at me, I guess because it's such a fun song," she said.

Oreo Blue may have created the song, but it's Sinclair's artistic touches that make the visual images so captivating. For example, the photo shoot took place in front of a blank white screen. Sinclair superimposed video footage over the image of the screen, which makes it look like the guys are standing in front of a projector. There are personal touches within that, as well. There's the shot of a clock with it's hands spinning around, symbolizing how time flies as the band celebrates their ten year annivesary this year. One of the biggest crowd pleasers in the video is the toy drummer, who keeps the beat at appropriate breaks in the song.

"I think it's only natural that - considering the level of musical talent in Northwest Arkansas - local bands begin showcasing themselves with music videos," Sinclair said. "It's the perfect way to completely capture a band's personality, style and musicianship."

In addition to the Oreo Blue project, Sinclair recently completed a music video starring Joe Giles and The Homewreckers singing Dire Strait's "I Want My MTV." The video, which is a blend of directed action and live performance footage, will be released on the Homewreckers' next CD project.

"The camera loved those guys," Sinclair said of the Homewreckers. "I had to scrub through a lot of shaky video because I was laughing so hard during the shoot. It was too much fun."

Bands interested in filming a music video can contact Sinclair at Hot Java Studio (587-1855) or email her at hotjavastudio@aol.com. To check out her current masterpiece - and listen to some pretty cool blues tunes as well - get your copy of Oreo Blue's Ten Down at Sound Warehouse, CD Warehouse, Hastings, Makin' Music, or order online at www.oreoblue.com or at any Oreo Blue live performance