TIME MACHINE (POP UP VIDEO)

During the editing of this video, there were a lot of Easter Eggs thrown in. (Hidden gems and secret bits) and it felt necessary to point them all out using this format that was popular on VH-1 called Pop-Up Video.

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Pop-Video was a way to showcase fun fact, trivia and silly things about the images and song details that you may not have know about when watching the video. It died off but this video is an attempt to bring it back, at least for this one special version of Dear Stella's great new track, Time Machine from Time Zones.

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Enjoy!

Nadja Dee

Purveyor of Power Pop 

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HOP ON POWER POP

TIME MACHINE

Sometimes a song will take us here at Hop On Power Pop by storm. So much so, that we get inspired to create a music video. The latest release, debut album TIME ZONES by DEAR STELLA's son TIME MACHINE is one of those songs. 
If you've read our review (And hopefully you have) then you'll know that this song is a huge work of art by William James “Bleu” McAuley III, Jesse McGinty and Stefanie Drexler. It's one of those Magnum Opus songs that feels like a nod to the huge progressive rock meets Power Pop from bands like Jellyfish, Klaatu and Tears For Fears. It feels like every instrument was utilized on this song, including the kitchen sink. 
As we became more and more familiar with the song (One of 2020's best) these images of all the Time Travel movies and television shows flashed through our minds. It felt like the song was writing the video, the video was writing the song. 
The result is this fan video* 

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Hope you enjoy it,
Nadja Dee
Hop On Power Pop

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*(We call it a fan made video because Dear Stella had nothing to do with the making of this video. In fact, this video uses clips from all kinds of property and licensing that we did not have permission to use and none of this is the blame of an members of Dear Stella. It's made with fair use, that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as for commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, parody or scholarship.)

making of: the wavemaster

In July of 2020, I was asked by Rex Broome & Christina Bulbenko to design the album cover for the next BIG STIR SINGLES compilation, this one to be The Seventh Wave. 

This is the story of how the idea was formed, the challenges and successes of the build and how the final album cover came together over the next 3 months.

telling my secret

The members of The Pozers made a new video, synced up to their track "Telling My Secrets" from Crybaby Bridge. They wanted to do their part, as Jim Richey put it, "Since we can’t play live together we thought this would be the next best thing...also try to raise awareness and maybe make a few people smile." 

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Looks like they had fun doing it, while staying safe. It's during this time that people are learning how to make do with what they have, how to embrace technology and how to keep the music alive.  Thanks Jim for keeping the fire burning and I promise to spread your "secret" far and wide. (That just sounds wrong!)

hackensack

The surviving members of Fountains of Wayne,  Chris Collingwood, Brian Young and Jody Porter plus Sharon Van Etten (On bass and backing vocals) reunited to perform HACKENSACK in support of New Jersey 4 New Jersey COVID-19 relief benefit show.  It was, of course, dedicated to Adam Schlesinger, their bandmate and friend. In case you missed it, here it is (Until we get told to take it down). This post is not for profit, but for anyone who was unable to see it when it aired. 

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Personal note: The heartfelt performance will forever change the way I see this song Hackensack. Before, I saw it as a song about a guy longing for his lost lost girl to return back home. Maybe she went off to college, maybe she moved to Hollywood and pursued a career in film and worked with Christopher Walken. But, after today's performance, I will always think of Chris and Adam in a classroom together when they were kids. Maybe passing notes back and forth that contained possible lyrics for a song. I'm sure, since Adam's passing, all of us are "Now I see face in the strangest places, movies and magazines." It's a constant reminder of what we lost, a kindred spirit, a talented musician, a benign being. Now when I hear the words "But I will wait for you, as long as I need to..." I will only think of Adam. 

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Donate to the cause New Jersey Pandemic Fund Relief: https://njprf.org/

SUNSHINE ROCK

So pleased to share this BOB MOULD LIVE track from the Seattle show at Neumos last night. As usual, Bob Mould rocked the socks off the place with his Power Trio. Some call his music punk, some call it Power Pop (If the Power was turned up to 11) but whatever genre you put his music, you can’t deny that it rocks and makes you feel happy.

While in line, I looked at all the folks with grey hair waiting to see Bob and thought, “I wonder if there will be a mosh pit?” Our new friends commented, “ Naa. Most people would be screaming Oww My sciatica!” But, halfway into the show, guess what? There they were...60 year olds mosh pitting and stage diving. Hope they had good insurance. There’s going to be a line at the chiropractor this morning.

girlfriend

Despite a smaller than deserved crowd, Matthew Sweet put on a fantastic show. He still sounds great as evidenced by this footage at Seattle’s Neptune Theater October 2018

sick of myself

Despite a smaller than deserved crowd, Matthew Sweet put on a fantastic show. He still sounds great as evidenced by this footage at Seattle’s Neptune Theater October 2018

i love you

Took a bullet to capture this one. The security was yelling at everyone. I know it's super annoying to have people with their phones out, but I wanted YOU FOLKS here on Hop On Power Pop to enjoy this entire song, Care Of Cell 44, off the brilliant Odessey & Oracle album. Hard to believe Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone are in their 70s and still rocking it! Music keeps you young.

SONGS -VS- PERFORMANCE PIECES

Years ago, I created a video to visually illustrate Jon Brion's (2006) interview by Greg Kot & Jim DeRogatis from Rawktumblr 99% Invisible on Sound Opinions regarding his views on how Songs differ from Performance Pieces. He covers Led Zeppelin, Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Kurt Cobain (Specifically "Lithium"), George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk. Put to images.

It's a very interesting topic to discuss or even think about on your own. 

it's about to go down

The Eyelids previewed a song called “It’s About To Go Down” off an album that’s not going to be out until February 2019! Pretty amazing since the show was also an album release party. They dedicated it to Tommy Keene! 

SLOW IT GOES

EYELIDS from my birthday show at Seattle’s High Dive, performing Slow It Goes and killing it!!

HIDEOUT

Here’s The Pop Cycle (Minus their drummer) playing Hideout at The High Dive last night. I’m so excited because David Thompson from the band agreed to be my first podcast interview! Stay tuned.

solar sister

Ken dedicated Solar Sister to his birth mother. They also played a short film about a great non profit SOLAR SISTER which empowers women with economic opportunity in harsh environments. Check them out https://www.solarsister.org/

SUDDENLY MARY

I had the privilege of seeing The Posies again (Probably my 8th time) at Seattle’s Neptune Theater. They were celebrating their 30th Anniversary and were ON FIRE. After the show, I got to once again meet Jon & Ken. I asked Jon if he would be interested in playing my wedding anniversary in 2020 and he said “Yes”. Holy cow I almost died.

THE LOOK YOU GAVE THAT GUY

I always thought this song sounded like it could've been in the movie Music & Lyrics. It could have replaced the song Don't Write Me Off Just Yet written by Power Pop genius Adam Schlesinger.