The votes are in, and you selected Back Pocket Memory’s “Bergerac” as the Best Video of 2010! We chatted with the band about the video and more as we ring out 2010 and ring in 2011…

 

Leona Laurie: Last time we spoke, we talked mostly about the band & your upcoming plans (http://bestnewbands.com/bands/item/838-back-pocket-memory-does-a-mini-residency-on-bestnewbandscom). This time, I’d like to know more about “Bergerac” and the video that won you the prestigious spot at the top of the Best Videos of 2010 list.

Chris: The inspiration behind the song’s title is from the Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac. The main character (Cyrano) goes throughout his whole life being in love with a woman (Roxanne) but, never expressing his true feelings for fear of rejection and ridicule… his insecurities about his physical appearance triumphed over his love for Roxanne.

The song itself is a story about a situation where the opposite occurs. Rather than dwelling in doubt and wonder why not get those feelings out in the open? Tell that person you love them, tell them that without them there is an emptiness that cannot be ignored let alone be accepted when they are right in front of you. Regardless of the outcome, it is better to know than to not know, right? Who knows, the reaction of the one you love may very well be the reaction you’ve yearned for for some time. The song’s core, however, is not about the outcome, it’s about building the courage and making the most of a moment you may never obtain again.

LL: What’s the story behind the video? When did you shoot it, and what was the experience like? Are there any little anecdotes from the shoot or details in the video you’d like to bring to our attention?

Ian: The video shoot was something else! We decided (obviously) to go with a live shoot at one of our shows. The concept was really just to have fun, and capture what it’s like for us to play to our friends and fans, who are amazing. Their energy is always unprecedented, and I think the video really captures this.

Rob: We shot it in August of this year, at the Mosaic Cafe, a local non-profit venue in Tujunga. The experience was great. The venue was small and intimate, and it was very simple — just band and audience. Nothing else needed.

I: No real anecdotes I can think of, except that also playing that show were our great friends, A Four Star Affair, an awesome band from San Jose. So it was really cool to have them be a part of that night.

C: I can tell you one thing, driving to a friend’s party afterwards, we were on cloud nine. Ian and I couldn’t stop talking about how great of show that was, and how awesome our friends were in the crowd. We ran into Eddie and Rob at Carl’s Jr. and I think we scared the employees with our excitement.

 

LL: Your fans played a big role in your selection for Best Video of 2010. How have you built your fan base? What can you tell us about them?

C: Our fans are our friends. Everyone of them. What I mean, is that we make every effort to talk to and hang out with every single person who comes to see us play, or listens to our music. Thusly, fans become friends. And to boot, they’re all great people. Seriously. Playing a local show to us in like playing to 200 of your best friends. Music is about a community, and that is something we strive for. The support we get from our following is nothing short of humbling, and we can never thank them enough.

 

LL: Do you have any other videos you’d like to share with our audience?

J: We don’t have any official music videos besides this one, but we do actively upload things on our youtube page, as well as facebook and myspace.

There are always random little snippets up there. We’ll be doing another video later into to 2011, but nothing concrete is planned as of now.

 

LL: What are the band’s plans in 2011?

C: 2011 is going to be a great year. We’ve been writing new music, and we’re really excited to share these songs with everyone. Starting in February, we’ll be recording a new EP with Producer Erik Ron (After Midnight Project, Four Year Strong, Panic at the Disco, Foxy Shazam). The EP is likely to be released in mid-2011, but let’s not put cart before horse. Erik is a great guy, and does amazing work, so we’re incredibly stoked to be working with him. There will be plenty of writing sessions and in studio updates that we’ll post online early next year, so people can stay tuned. After that, we’ll be hitting the road hard — playing venues, houses, and festivals. There is nothing we love more than to bring our music to new ears and cities.

 

Congratulations, BPM!