Stereo League's "Money in your Mouth" Video Highlights Camp & Reckless Indifference
Stereo League, photo by Bob Sweeney
By Emily Herbein
Pulling classic camp elements from vintage cop shows, Stereo League teams up with videographer Bob Sweeney on the theatrical video for their most recent single, “Money in your Mouth.” It’s our first look at their forthcoming EP, Endless Mirage, and this driving track fully emphasizes the band’s synth-leaning, provocative R&B sound while still remaining consistently catchy.
Produced by Eraserhood Sound — also the band’s label — mixed by Dan Scott, and mastered by Ryan Schwabe, this track is truly the product of in-house collaboration.
“We wanted to create a modern sound that paid homage to some of the best music that Philly has ever produced. We subtracted the classic orchestration from Philly Soul and added vintage synth tones and a sprinkle of Bowie. We couldn’t be happier with how this EP came together and look forward to future collaboration with Eraserhood Sound. Vince and Max are incredibly focused. Their production style is a perfect complement to our songwriting style,” singer Alex Savoth says.
With vocal tones reminiscent of Dan Auerbach and a backing soundscape that relies heavily on grooving bass tones and bouncing, synthetic lines — telltale aspects of Eraserhood’s other artists like Lady HD and Kendra Morris — “Money in your Mouth” is a track that sets the narrative’s high-energy, smooth-criminal tone.
The video opens with masked bandmates Alex Savoth and Dan King running down an empty street with a suitcase full of cash, very Miami Vice-style. The opening credits wipe across the screen as the band sprints away from the crime scene, paced to the beat of the introductory drum loop. There’s a stolen car, celebratory shots, and near-murder. The feeling of anticipatory chaos is so palpable as the camera angles dramatically — and comically — switch between juxtaposed Super 8-style takes.
"’Money in Your Mouth’ has evoked a 70's heist vibe from the moment Vince and Max shared their initial sketch of the song,” Savoth says. “We've been dying to work with Bob Sweeney on a video and figured this was the perfect opportunity. The video was shot entirely on film and Bob nailed the aesthetic that we were hoping for. We had so much fun on production day and I think that it shows in the final video. Grindhouse meets slapstick for the win."
However, the true villains are not our masked criminals, but the mysteriously seductive Turquoise Cobb and Mary Sharples, who invite the guys inside to celebrate their heist, only to be duped into losing out on all their cash. The running theme of the song is vividly expressed through that moment of confusion and betrayal, addressed with an air of humorous indifference as Savoth and King shrug, light up a cigarette, and the camera pans away.
You can watch the video below, and stream the single anywhere you find music. Tickets for their upcoming show with Lady HD at Ortlieb’s on October 8th can be found right here.