Watch Bright Light Social Hour Transform Into Weed Martyr and... Horses, I Think

Austin’s cosmic conjurers rein in their sound

Ever seen a horse so deeply and spiritually moved by a piece of art that a single tear wells up in its big sideways eye and streams down its furry face? Quite a compelling visual, that.

Wait, why’s a horse at an art show? And is it even really a horse or are these equines the terrestrial afterlife manifestation of those guys in the hooded black cloaks? Neigh, that can’t be it, they’re animals too, except with rubber faces and concerning party habits. I guess that’s where the term “high horse” comes from.

Horsin’ around: Weed Martyr and Comanche (r).

After a dozen screenings of the Bright Light Social Hour’s surrealist combo video for “Guillotine Billionaires” and “Responsibility,” I’m left with more questions than conclusions. Perplexing plot aside, I can confirm that the galloping sounds of TBLSH’s gnarlier alter ego Weed Martyr makes a stellar soundtrack for this peculiar pony show. Bassist/vocalist Jackie O’Brien, who directed the short, which he wrote with Sara Barr and drummer Zac Catanzaro, sheds light on the hard-charging lead single, which rides the ominous line, “They’re lookin’ out for blood.”

“Inspired by the events of Jan. 6 and the French revolution, ‘Guillotine Billionaires’ is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the inevitability of populist violence snowballing into reckless bloodlust, no matter the original cause,” emails O’Brien. “We wanted the film to portray similar frustrations, fears and absurdity, and the horse – named Comanche – could not have delivered more perfectly.”

Pony up for TBLSH’s Enter Weed Martyr release here.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
More The Bright Light Social Hour
Review: The Bright Light Social Hour, <i>Emergency Leisure</i>
Review: The Bright Light Social Hour, Emergency Leisure
Emergency Leisure (Record Review)

Raoul Hernandez, Aug. 4, 2023

Texas Platters
The Bright Light Social Hour
Missing Something (Record Review)

Alejandra Ramirez, Oct. 26, 2018

More by Kevin Curtin
The Austin Chronic: I Really Needed a Lazy Day at Lazy Daze
The Austin Chronic: I Really Needed a Lazy Day at Lazy Daze
An Amsterdam-style coffee shop where you can smoke inside

May 31, 2024

Jon Muq Album Release, Hole in the Wall Anniversary, and More Crucial Concerts
Jon Muq Album Release, Hole in the Wall Anniversary, and More Crucial Concerts
All manner of sounds for every ear

May 31, 2024

KEYWORDS FOR THIS POST

The Bright Light Social Hour, Weed Martyr, Jackie O'Brien, Curtis Roush, Zac Catanzaro, Comanche

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle