Plains
Presenting Plains, L-R: Travis Swinford, Tony Hernandez, Drew Price, & Sam Douglas; photographed by Philip Palma.
Originally featured off of last summer’s album Delicate Living from Happenin Records / Lolipop Records; Plains today premieres the smiley-faced mask romanticism in the video for “Oh Camina”. Directed by bandmate, local Birmingham, Alabama legend, & solo artist in his own right Drew Price; we are treated to a romantic afternoon in Avondale Park with Plains leader Travis Swinford strumming his guitar, hanging with his pooch, skating about, while wooing the lovely Camina. Price’s timeless vintage style displayed in the analog video texture, classic shot composition, camera handling & editing techniques perfectly alludes toward the natural, organic, time-warp-radio-station sound of Plains.
The romantic interlude aspect of “Oh Camina” is played up to the hilt, where the entire loverly lounge quality is brought to the green pastures, forests, brush, lakes, and trails of Avondale Park. The calming chords, and soothing half-awake delivery delve into those lo-fi places of intimacy, like those favorite obscure Ebay purchased classic & clandestine stacks of wax that you reserve only for play while by your lonesome (and every so often reveal such wonders to a trusted party/best friend/lover. So spend a day in Avondale Park with Travis & the woman after his own heart, Camina, as they spend hours getting to know one another on a bench, a wall of stones, and in the company of trees. Wearing an emoji smiley mask for the bulk of the video, a boat ride journey out on the lake is initiated with the invitational of “let’s mess around,” where Travis, Camina, & company are all seen donning yellow-cartoon-faced emoticons displaying varying visages of happiness. Once our adventure and heart warming tale draws to a close, we are treated to an arbitrary obituary for the GOP candidate/ real estate magnate Donald Trump that makes for a ridiculous closing non-sequitur. Read our interview with Plains’ Travis Swinford right now.
Tell us whose idea it was with the whole smiley-face mask component here, & describe the Avondale Park video shooting event for “Oh Camina”, and what you all really love about the park.
Drew and I came up with the idea of the video as soon as we saw the emoji mask. We took it to Avondale Park because we needed a nice nature spot and it’s located very close to us. It’s a beautiful park! There are lots of secret spots to chill/grill and let your dog off the leash.
Plains’ Travis Swinford; photographed by Neil Jackson.
How did the the death of The Donald come about with the video?
We were pretty—leveled up—and had just wrapped up editing the video when I suggested that Donald dies in the video. I tried to put the years he was alive, but I couldn’t remember when he was born. I think he was 16 or 17 years old when he left us. :/
What else is in the works from both Plains and Drew Price?
An EP is going to drop at any minute. Who knows? ? Plains also has a quickie little getaway tour coming up. We’re going through a few chill towns to play with some friends, visit some new spaces and enjoy spring in the south. We have some great Birmingham shows coming up with Mild High Club, Colleen Green, Ben Katzman’s DeGreaser and Laser Background!
What else are you all excited about right now music/film/book-wise?
I (Travis) have been into Anderson .Paak and Knwledge’s collaboration called NxWorries. Especially the song “Link Up”. It samples a beautiful song called “Onda” by Cassiano. Also into Tiny Buzz on Facebook [laughs].
Plains’ album Delicate Living is available now from Happenin Records / Lolipop Records.
