Readers, this is a real treat. AUK-favourites, The Avett Brothers, have released a video for ‘Matrimony’, recorded all the way back in 2005. This never-before-seen footage was long thought lost and transports us to the band’s early days, when they were on the rise. Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Tim Nackashi and transferred by Pro8mm, the grainy Super-8 film recaptures The Avett Brothers’ dynamic performances and reinforces that nostalgic feel. Nackashi shares: “We shot on Super-8 with long lenses in a very run-and-gun fashion. We only got a few takes in before we ran out of filmstock. I got the film developed and then moved across the country and kick-started a new career… Those precious film reels lay dormant in a storage facility. The energy of The Avett Brothers’ performance leaps right off the emulsion. They were screaming their hearts out over the business district of Athens, GA. Damn, that was a great day.” And, damn, it makes for a great video.
Scott Avett adds, “We filmed this video in one afternoon and took twenty plus years to edit and release it. We just wanted to make sure it was perfect.” The song first appeared on “Four Thieves Gone: The Robbinsville Sessions” and in the two decades since, ‘Matrimony’ and The Avett Brothers’ other early songs have become classics, inspiring many artists, continuing to captivate audiences and retaining their power. The song itself is full of propelling energy and unstoppable momentum. Insistent rhythms and strumming patterns drive forward with dynamic movement while the vocals over the top are brilliantly characterful – absolutely captivating.
Dolphus Ramseur, the founder of Ramseur Records and the long-time manager of The Avett Brothers, recalls the spirit of the time: “I first saw The Avett Brothers live in 2002. What captivated me was their unique blend of alternative rock and rock ‘n’ roll, all performed with acoustic instruments. They evoked a strong resemblance to the Violent Femmes. I vividly recall Scott Avett excitedly telling me that The Avett Brothers had a song that perfectly encapsulated the ethos of the Violent Femmes. That song was ‘Matrimony’.”
The reels of film sat untouched for twenty years. Until now. Enjoy.
