Websites named after trains. Songs named after trains. We like public transportation here at RLR and when one of the most talented roots act out of Boston releases a brand new video for one of their tunes, well we perk right up and take notice.

A concept that is as intricately woven and cared for as the words of the trio’s gorgeous songs, the efforts put behind this video cannot be understated. We asked the band about the process behind producing such a painstakingly detailed project to match up with their song. Holly McGarry told us, “Filming took about 10 days working 9 hours a day. Editing is a little harder to estimate but it’s been a very long process. I believe we actually started work in January but tours got in the way of us filming everything at once. Chris story boarded the entire plan in one night and we had originally planned on shooting it ourselves but we quickly found out we needed help. Chris also did test shots on his iPhone of most scenes before we shot them with Pete and Cruz to make sure the ideas would work. Props we’re made primarily by Chris (with some assistance from Peter Romano, Chris Cruz, Holly McGarry and Becky Levine), all out of construction paper and pipe cleaners. “

And indeed, there is something magical that came out of all that work. To think about the efforts put into each frame from idea inside your head to being coupled up with the lyrics to a song…its mind boggling. The idea to conjoin sonic beauty and art with something visual like this is something I imagine to be as freeing and exciting as it could be incredibly frustrating. Holly continued, “We had wanted a music video in this style for a while but always thought we would have to hire folks to make it. It was very empowering taking things into our own hands and learning about stop motion animation. We obviously have A LOT to learn and have no formal training in this animation style but it’s something I think we’d all like to explore further. ” 

In closing, I would venture to say the juice was worth the squeeze here. Honeysuckle’s harmonies mingling in the air with delicate strings and rhythmic plucks and thumps always gets me to close my eyes and listen. Those pictures that play out behind my own eyes may differ than what someone else sees and to be able to watch what the group saw in their own words, well thats just a beautiful thing.

McGarry closed by telling us, “It was a huge labor of love and we also feel a milestone for us. We’ve never worked on a project like this and hope fans will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it. Creating new projects with old friends, it doesn’t get much better than that!”

Indeed. Watch it below folks.