HIP Picks – The Weekly Client Roundup – Friday 9/7

Right here in New Jersey, we’re lucky to be surrounded by a plethora of great music. But other cities in the US have plenty of talent, and you’d be a fool to ignore all of the exciting tunes coming from overseas! The latest HIP Picks – Weekly Client Roundup shows artists from near and far, so read on to see what we’ve got to share!

Experimenting with pop, future bass, and deep house, Sean Darin is an Eastern European producer with international influence. He’s been producing beats since 2013 and has released songs on the labels of successful artists like Armin van Buuren and the late and great Avicii; his single “Sit and Wait” has gotten 9 million streams on Spotify. Sean Darin’s latest effort is “California”, which sees him team up with Hungarian-American singer and songwriter Kállay Saunders. With shots of the Pacific Ocean and gorgeous coastline, “California” shows the world the state’s beauty in a real way – no fake smiles, filters, or artificial beauty.

One look at Man Made Time’s new video for “Insanity” makes it easy to see why this duo is on the rise. The clip begins with Hillary Grace (singer/songwriter/producer) waking up locked in the backseat of a car driven by musical cohort Albert James Babanian (synth/songwriter/engineer-producer); a palpable tension builds on screen over an ethereal acoustic backdrop. Yet while “Insnity” is simply and elegantly shot, no one wants to be on the ride Hillary’s on. Will she ever be free?

What does it mean to be a Jersey boy? If ever in doubt, ask The Vice Rags: all four members of this Asbury Park group had previously been in other bands and made names for themselves in the Jersey scene. The clip for “Jersey Boy” is simple – showing the group in their element at practice, having a good time – and the story is one that any Garden State native can relate to.

Nuke The Soup’s Mark Davison first felt the blurring of the lines between war and commercialism during the first Gulf War; since then, the lines has been all but erased. Their new single “Network” is a cheeky but stinging examination of our society. In the “Network” video, Davison is both helpless consumer and puppet master, as he’s in front of a wall of TVs showing what’s happening on the battlefield (the events are courageously covered by keyboardist/vocalist Brian Simms, who plays a field reporter).

New Jersey native Eliza Arnone released her debut album Red Coat in 2017, when she was only a sophomore in high school. Of course, with highly respected studio owner and music educator Jody Joseph has her mentor and vocal coach, it’s no wonder she’s succeeded! Now, she’s back with a video for her newest single, “10 Feet”. The clip takes place at the Art Factory in Paterson, and sees Eliza surrounded by lightbulbs dangling from strings and hung up around her, adding an intriguing and elegant touch to an otherwise industrial space.

In his exuberant clip for “Shakey Ground” – his version of the Temptations classic – Jimmy D. Scott feels the love from all quarters of Detroit. Born in Mississippi, he’s not technically a Motor City native – but with roots deep in gospel and a funky and soulful feel, his music is steeped in the traditions of his adopted hometown. He’s had plenty of practice, having collaborated with the likes of Bootsy Collins and the Memphis Horns and opening shows for the Jackson 5 and Funkadelic in his five-decade career. While “Shakey Ground” is full of Detroit’s notable sights, it’s also a work of fantasy – and it’s clear Jimmy D. Scott is right at home.

That’s our list of HIP Picks for the week! What videos have you been enjoying lately? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!