Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers "Again" Cat Camping Music Video (Official Audio)

Our new single, "Again", is thematically centered around overcoming failure... so I originally wanted to do an AI rendered lip sync video - the idea being to use clips from famous post-game press conferences - except the interviews would be from losing coaches and teams (and using AI, their lips would move to the lyrics). I spent a few weeks gathering clips and running them through Google's clusters and the results were, well... inconsistent. Also, it took between 1 and 2 hours to render roughly 6 seconds of footage. About 1 of every 4 clips was usable, but even then, the idea really didn't pan out and turned out to be an enormous time sink. With only a few days to before the release, I decided to scrap the idea - and headed out to the woods with my cat. Figured I'd just film myself camping and turn it into a music video. I compiled almost 20 hours of footage over roughly 4 days. I also learned that filming yourself cooking is really hard. I should probably also explain the interaction with the DNR... To preface this, intended on camping from Wednesday to Saturday. However, I unknowingly selected the wrong date rage (Tuesday to Friday) when I was registering and paying for the site. So around 2pm on Friday, two DNR officers show up and ask me, quite aggressively, why I have not packed up. I pull out my camp receipt and realize my mistake and apologize - and told them I'll do my best to be out within an hour. However, they threaten that if I'm not out within 20 minutes, I'll be issued a ticket. There was no possible way I could pack up in that time frame, but I accepted my fate. Ryan, my friend and guitar player, was supposed to arrive that Friday. I go in the van to call him to inform him that I've ruined our fun weekend (he was driving over two hours to help me film), but I didn't have service. I also took a minute to change out of my running clothes. Shortly after I began packing, Ryan arrived and as I was updating him, the DNR rolled back up, this time more aggressive. It seems they took my lack of haste as disrespect and went full authority mode on me - in a way that seemed completely unnecessary for the circumstances. I have spent a good portion of my life in the woods and have nothing but respect for the DNR. They keep people safe - and they also protect and maintain our forests. It's something I could very well have done as a career, but nearly a week later, I still find the interaction occupying a great deal of my idle thoughts. Police are often trained to be highly suspicious - and I suppose it's for good reason, but it really sucks when you're deliberately trying to be compliant and respectful, yet you feel like you're being mistreated. After they left, I quickly started packing and turned my camera on, which was tucked in a patch of woods. Of course, they quickly came back - and I captured roughly 16 minutes of the 3rd interaction. Obviously, I can only express my side of the story - and I'm sure they have theirs. I'd like to think they had their own justifications for being rude, but anyone who watches those 16 minutes would be like... WTF. Like, at one point, the 2nd officer walks across the street, picks up a dog toy, and tosses it at my feet, and says "make sure to pick up your trash." Anyhow, they sat and watched me as I packed up, tossing the occasional globs of harassment, and then proceeded to tail me for the entire duration of the 15 minute drive exiting the park. I fortunately found another campground and was able to continue filming. That being said, it was a fun and eventful couple days. My buddy chase came out, too, and somehow managed to find me on a trail while I was filming. Also, sorry to Ryan, who's time I wasted due to my foolishness. Hope you dig the video! Love, Joe Listen Now! https://joehertler.ffm.to/again #musicvideo #indiemusic #cats #camping #indierock #rainbowseekers #joehertler #michiganmusic #overcome #failure #keepgoing