One week after releasing the music video for their new single “Shallow Graves”, Capetonian alternative rock band, Metro Villa, have cemented their status as one of the most exciting upcoming bands in SA.
After being featured on Apple Music’s flagship playlists ‘The New Rock’ and ‘New in Rock’, “Shallow Graves” climbed to #34 on the MixFM Top40 on its second week on the chart.
It’s also the first time the band has charted on the station, after lead singer Cameron Jenkins was interviewed by presenter and music aficionado, Kerry-anne Allerston on her show #TheHangOut.
The music video for “Shallow Graves”, has also been received incredibly positively, racking over 12,000 views in its first week of release.
Directed by Adam Hansen alongside Alex Ortscheit, the video was filmed at The Old Woodmill in Stellenbosch, with gear supplied by Zootee Studios and the dreamy lenses courtesy of cinematographer Daniel Walsh.
Metro Villa guitarist Daniel Nuttall comments
“We’re super stoked about the reception so far. For a rock band in SA, it’s kind of like a shot in the dark when you release a video, but we tried some different tactics that paid off for us and it’s given us a massive confidence boost!”
Written in 2022 when Cameron was going through a chaotic time in his life, “Shallow Graves” was almost forgotten until drummer, Jonathan Raath, remembered that he had taken a video of Cameron Jenkins’ impromptu performance.
After bassist Damon Bendel and guitarist Daniel Nuttall heard the track at a subsequent band practice, they collectively decided that it had to be released.
Cameron Jenkins comments on the track
“This is a very personal song and it was very therapeutic to write. It’s really just about the façade of the people around us eventually crumbling down.”
Check out the video for “Shallow Graves” below:
You can stream the track HERE.
After winning Texx and the City’s Band Or Bust Vol. 1 at The House Of Machines in 2023, Metro Villa went on to open for rock legends Fokofpolisiekar at Woordfees in Stellenbosch, and indie darlings Desmond & the Tutus at District in Cape Town, while honing their live set across different stages around the country and they’re looking forward to doing more touring in 2024.
You can catch them live at That 70s Fest Cape Town on the 27th of April 2024 or at Daisy Jones Bar in Stellenbosch on the 4th of May 2024.
Watch this space for updates in the Music Videos category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
