Video Premiere: Sydney Wright Outs a Vicious Tenderfoot

In the Seventies, a savvy L.A. song pitcher might have sent Sydney Wright’s new single “Tenderfoot” to the Runaways to clang and bang. Follow-up to the local pop conceptualist’s instant-convert debut Seiche two years ago, its video rolls ATX barroom drama. See the livestream release party Thursday, June 11, 8pm, via the Wrighty Tighties Facebook Group.

“Shooting the video was pretty intense,” emails Wright. “We did it all in one day last October at Eberly in their Cedar Tavern, the Cannon Room, and the back alley.

“Since the song is extra dramatic, I wanted its video to match that element, visually. The group of creators and friends I asked to work with me on this really leveled it up and carried the project through. We shot it all in one day, and it was one of the smoothest crams I’ve ever been a part of.

“Everyone was such a pleasure and threw positive vibes all day, down to the very last shot. I feel really lucky to have such diligent, helpful collaborators to work with.

What influenced the song itself? It borders on the metallic side of the Runaways.

“I wrote the song about a person that couldn’t seem to conceive of conscientiousness, personal responsibility, or even one semblance of tact with which to navigate through life.

“Since the subject matter is relatively hot-blooded, I wanted the music to drive a little harder than my previous releases, so I chose Chris ‘Frenchie’ Smith to produce ‘Tenderfoot’ at the Bubble Recording Studio here in Austin. He’s produced the Toadies, Dandy Warhols, Slayer, etc., so he obviously leans rock. I felt confident that his vibe would fit and he’d be fun to bounce off of on this piece, and it did and he was.

“Einar Pederson was with us in the studio as well to add bass guitar and general razzmatazz.

“‘Tenderfoot’ is a word I learned watching westerns and perusing books of old cowboy stories in my dad’s office. The term usually describes novice characters that lack general sensibilities that they need to thrive where they are. In the video, Tenderfoot is a mysterious newcomer in an other-worldly, post-Earth saloon.

“Instead of the familiar character new to the ‘wild west’ like you’d read about in a western, our Tenderfoot is more of a vicious narcissist who lacks the integrity, self-awareness, and social maturity to relate to people he meets. From cheating at cards and stealing from the tip jar to his tawdry ‘show-off-my-gun’ move, Tenderfoot tries everyone’s patience until his own depravity finally takes him down and gets him out of their hair.”

And... roll credits:

MUSIC

“Tenderfoot,” music + lyrics by Sydney Wright
Produced by Chris “Frenchie” Smith
Mixed by Chris “Frenchie” Smith
Recorded by Christopher Messina
Mastered by Alex Lyons
Special thanks to Einar Pederson for his help in the studio and for being a pleasure to have around

VIDEO

Co-directed and shot by Kala Media @kala.media and Jacob Weber @jcbwbr
Co-directed and produced by Sydney Wright @sydneywrightmusic Edited by Jacob Weber
Wardrobe Design & Creative Direction by Danielle Nicole Sheperd
Tenderfoot: Tom Chants @tomchants
Bartender/Choreographer: Kelsey Oliver @kelsey___oliver
Lust Interest: Kevin Armstrong @kevinarmstrong
Card Dealer: Ciceley Fullylove @cfullylove
Patron: Brittany Malm @copperwire_productions
Beggar/Karma: Sydney Wright
Hair design: Savannah Johnson @savadele
Hair maintenance: George Clark @georgianna_clark
Make-up artist: Jonathan Krugman @jonathanmakeupartist
PA: Merri Palmer @merripalmer @colorcandybandy
Food: Heather Dupree @heather_feather
BTS Photography: Orion Weldon of Terra Purezza farm (@terrapurezza) and Ken Stahl of @kenstahlphotography

Shot at Eberly in Austin in Oct. 2019