The guys sent out a new email announcing the release of their BRAND NEW MUSIC VIDEO for The Original! Take a look:
They also posted a Fading West teaser video!
For the past year, we’ve been working on a movie. It’s a project that that we’ve been dreaming about for a long time – a documentary on Switchfoot: music, surfing, and the journey of the past eight records together. We’re calling it “Fading West”. Here’s a sneak peak teaser clip.
Stay tuned, we’ll be posting trailers, behind the scenes footage, and more as we lead up the release of the film.
^ By the way the music in the video is from the song “Fading West” – you guys are going to love it!
From the email:
We’ve got some amazing things in store for you during 2013 and wanted to share a few tidbits to get you as pumped as we are!
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First off, we want you to be the first to see our new music video for “The Original”! Watch and share it. You can even enter to win two tickets to the show of your choice, a meet and greet and a phone call from one of us just for letting your friends know about the release! |
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Next, we’re so excited to share news about a movie we’ve been working on. It’s a project that that we’ve been dreaming about for a long time – a documentary on Switchfoot: music, surfing and the journey of the past eight records together. We’re calling it “Fading West”. Here’s a sneak peak teaser clip! |
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Finally, Jon’s side project, Fiction Family, is putting out a new album and touring very soon! Fiction Family Reunion comes out 1/29, and the guys will be touring as part of the Heavy and Light tour that starts that same day. Check outFictionFamily.com to grab your pre-order copy (complete with free bonus tracks) and grab tickets to one of the shows! |
Cheers,
Jon, Tim, Chad, Drew, Jerome
What do you guys think??? Also, be sure to enter The Original contest right HERE!
Well the music video is a little odd but it’s good to see a proper music video again. And…..Fading West w00t.
My thoughts exactly!
The video for “The Original” creeps me out. But… It’s creative. It fits the theme of the song.
To me, the Fading West trailer is far more tantalizing.
The Original video was very odd, but I loved it though. Fading West is awesome, reminiscent of the old switchfoot (if I’m allowed).
The Original- I love it. So weird, and thats what makes it awesome.
Fading West- Incredible footage (ha, no pun intended). High quality stuff right there, you can tell they put a lot of effort into the filming, and thats from seeing a 1 minute clip. Pumped to see the whole movie. And the music sounds stellar. Fading West is going to be a good tune, and good album, I can tell. Good times to be a fan of the Foot.
Agreeing with all of this!
Excited about Fading West; Extremely disappointed by The Original.
I’m not surprised that some folks would be disappointed by the music video for The Original, because its so odd that it would naturally draw some negativity. But what is it exactly that makes you disappointed? Is it the overall, almost jokingly manner it is presented? The fact the guys themselves don’t actually make an appearance?
I’m not criticizing you for having this particular opinion, I’m just curious.
I remember there was a similar reaction from fans with the release of the Awakening video – people felt it made light of a serious song. But I’m not sure if that’s what folks aren’t liking about this video…?
Exactly. Its a fun upbeat song, and the video fits it well, in my opinion. The song has partially serious undertones to it, but its not a dark shadowy song such as are many that Jon writes. It doesn’t need intensity. I mean, what should they have done with? Another Dark Horses video, where its just them in it, playing the song, with no real meaning to it? I like the fact that the ultimate message of the song got across (I felt it did, anyway, at the end when muscle-man extends his hand of congratulations to our underdog) but not in a way that made the song to over-the-top deep.
I’m impressed, at least.
All good points.
Also, as an FYI, there were a lot of plans (really GOOD plans) for the Dark Horses video that just never happened. Disappointing.
For me, the one thing that botters me is the slow motion. It just doesnt fit! Dont get me wrong, I so love the fact that they left the “performance video” aside and created one with a story – I wanted that, and Im glad with the story. But it is an upbeat song (one of my favorites) which sadly doesnt make me willing to replay the video. But ok, is just me, so that’s not a problem.
Jeanna, i know you’re not a big fan of the song LOL so I’m glad that the video made you like better
Btw, it would be neat if the plans for the Dark Horses worked, I agree with Jeanna. This song deserves a story. But for the performance video category, its a good one.
Same thing for the Afterlife video, for its category, its good, but I expected a storyline, but nevermind.
I think the reason I didn’t like it was the fact the cinematography didn’t fit the pace of the video. It just felt really slow and lagged compared to the song. And by speeding it up I felt like they could have added more to the story. However I loved the idea of the video. I thought Awakening was an AWESOME video! Everything about it is perfect! However I think my favorite video is still “We Are One Tonight”
Fading West makes me want to cry happy tears…
I wouldnt say I’m disappointed because this is what I was looking for: a storyline, not simply performances. I loved the concept, I loved that they took a risk in this video. The one thing I complain is the slowmotion! C’mon, it doesnt fit with the energy and the beat of the song! Am I jumping up and down after seeing this? No! Maybe slowmotionly. oO
But is just my opinion. Im really glad that they are still offering a lot of material to the fans, and Im definetly excited about Fading West.
I agree with you, Claudia, about the slow motion effect – it doesn’t fit with the fast-paced and energetic feeling of the song
I think the SF guys like that style. It’s been present in the past few videos. (DH, anyone?)
Yeah but a bit of slow motion is nice, and it fits with the DH video. It just didnt fit with this one. I love The Original and I know its underrated and i was hoping the video would bring new perspectives and new fans to the song, but with this result… Im not sure…
(hopefully Im wrong ^^)
It made ME like the song better – and that’s saying something, because (as most of you know), I’m NOT a fan of that song
I like the SloMo because if it were fast, I’d miss so much detail!
*Explodes from excitement*
Best comment thus far!
….
The music video was a bit scary. Actually, it was REALLY scary, lol!
Fading West looks unbelievably friggn awesome!
My thoughts exactly!
The music video for “The Original” is not what I expected, but its not bad.
Also I saw the teaser trailer on Tumblr earlier today, I was gonna email you guys about it, but looks like your on top of things 
I love the teaser trailer, I’m so stoked for Fading West!
I loved the uniqueness of The Original! I was confused at first but I was totally into it by the end. And that teaser’s got me so stoked!
Same here. By the end (of The Original video), I was there. I love it that Switchfoot aren’t afraid to do something as bizarre as that.
Not a fan of the choice of “The Original” as a single, nor of the bizarre video. Fading West, however, looks amazing!
Is there a reason you don’t like the video?
I find the video challenging.Just because i don’t fully understand something doesn’t mean i should dislike it.I have came up with a few ways of looking at this video.Maybe i should be the original more.
I love how Switchfoot get you thinking.If only i could word things better i would say more on it.But i do see the guys hearts in this.Very light hearted but with a deep meaning
I’m sad to say that I totally missed the deep meaning of the video – would you share your thoughts on it? I’d love to explore another perspective!
These are just a few thoughts i have on the video.
Look beyond what makes you uncomfortable and see the person.
We can miss beauty when we judge others on a first glance.
Don’t follow the crowed for someone you think is important that looks down on another,making you share there point of view.
learn and get to know others for our self.
Giving up pride and sharing in someone else.
The video is just saying love people as the original
Thanks for sharing! I think you had a lot of good things to say here and it definitely gave me a fresh perspective on what the video might be portraying
I TOTALLY pictured some sort of intense competition for the song. LOVE the video. And FW? Super stoked. Aerial shots at the Bro-Am… oh man.
“The Orginal” was really different i must say but, i love how it’s just not concert footage like the past few videos so either you gotta take it or leave it basically. I won’t lie i don’t really think about a hobo workout competition when i look at the song but the guys do have a sense of humor.
Fading West has caught my eye a little bit and i can’t wait to see more information on it.
Am I the only one who finds it odd they got some guy walking around in his underwear in this video?
you too?
nope, you’re not the only one!
At 19 seconds in the FW (Can we abbreviate Fading West yet?
) there is a scene where Jon is writing lyrics. From the looks of it the top lyrics feature the lyric “The Hard Way”, the middle portion are obviously “Against the Voices” lyrics, and the last section by his finger might read “Halftime”. All of which were listed in the soundtrack board. Just a theory 
The music video is growing on me too. Can’t wait!
I am absolutely blown away by the teaser video for Fading West… amazing quality, golden locations, and incredible sound! I seriously don’t know if I can get any more excited for this project!
The Original video… Well… Not so much!
It was so very bizarre, slightly boring, and lacking in any emotional content. But on the other hand, I do appreciate a story video over another footage one, regardless of how strange and creepy it is (New Way To Be Human video, anyone? I am still weirded out by that one, much as I love the song!)
Okay so for the contest, is it whoever shares the video the most wins? or once we share it are we entered into the contest? Also, is there a limit for how many times a day we can share the video?
also, how will they know our numbers to call us?
Management will get in contact with the winners and gather all the necessary info, then set up the call with the band
I really liked the music video after I got over the wierdness of it! Cool idea!
And I am SO excited for Fading West!!!!! Loved the sound of the new song!!
The Original:
What in heck did I even just see…. BAHAHAha. Ohmygosh. It’s so completely random. And yet it’s perfect. ahhh. *dies*
Fading West:
. . . .
I cannot… I can’t even like… THE FEELS. I. cannot. wait. for. this. movie. And now I can’t wait to here the song Fading West too cause that little bit was AWESOME. I LOVE the sound.
Just me that really liked the new video? I love like Awakening (which is one of my favorite videos!), think that is the face of the band.
You’re not alone in liking it!
Hey, where do you buy Awakening nowadays? I saw it on a podcast, and now i wanna buy it. iTunes doesn’t have it.
I am also curious to hear what some of y’all don’t like about the video for “The Original”. I can understand being disappointed with the slow motion, but a few of you thought it was “creepy.”
I can imagine a couple of reasons you might say that… mirror muscle man is sort of creepy because he seems to be obsessed with himself. That should probably creep out most anyone. But I think that was intended by whoever wrote the story (Switchfoot? Someone else? Dr.Ew?), in order to shock you when he extends a hand to the protagonist at the end.
There are many things I really like about the video. One of the things I liked right off the bat was how the camera gets you into someone else’s world. From the first shot, we are up close and can almost feel the protagonist and his lifestyle. Given that he probably lives differently than most of us (considering we are all communicating via internet which he doesn’t seem to have, along with other items I can imagine us having as internet users), I’d say this can make us uncomfortable in a good way.
I just hope that people won’t be encouraged to make fun of the reality of “homelessness” or to think lightly and with prejudice for those who might be seen as “hobos” (which is probably a word that we could do away with entirely) as a result of the video.
Good comments/summary!
I think this video actually portrays the homeless in a positive light – as someone to root for. Come on, you totally want the skinny guy in the underwear to win!
Video is weird. But props for not making another montage.
that is a good summary.
First off: the Fading West music sounds like a cross between the New Way To Be Human and Nothing Is Sound albums, which is just awesome-I’m so stoked to see the film.
Secondly, I like the video. I kind of like that the guys aren’t in it, just because I think it shows that they had more of an idea for a ‘plot’, if you will (not that a 3 minute song can have much of a plot). It’s kind of unconventional, which is something that has always intrigued me about Switchfoot.
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like Switchfoot is the King Midas of bands (only the good part of that story, ha). Everything they have a part in is pretty much awesome in some way or another…
okay. props to the guys for being creative with the video. but that was so hipster i might start twitching.
but then again, they do have a weird history of awesome weirdness when it comes to music vids. but they are so absent from this one. i mean, We Are One had them in hilarious disguises, Awakening had them as animated photo cut-outs/guitar hero characters, Stars and Yuppie had them singing/drowning and in Chem 6A they threw juice at each other. not to mention the vid where they start pulling their faces off and things get really weird….?
but the Original….was certainly….er…original.
at least it was better than the Dark Horses vid…????? o.0
haha what’s wrong with hipster!? Hey now!
Haha that’s what I was thinking!
maybe that’s why I liked it lol
oh, uhh, nothing is wrong with a little hipster…..*twitch*….*twitch*
Since when is “Hipster” a verb. I’m pretty sure It’s a noun. And hipster’s a cool. I’m a hipster. atleast That’s what i say and other people say. which in turn makes me not a hipster. “Hipster” is a Paradox if you really think about it. Hipsters are the cool people, in fact the coolest. So it makes no since why someone could call them a hipster, automatically making them cooler than the coolest people. It makes no since!!!
but Fading West looks AWESOME.
Summer come quickly so we can watch the movie.
But not too quickly – I’m enjoying watching the flurry of snowflakes from my window!
As far as Fading West, it made me smile so much. The music and clips were great.
The Original was..interesting. I definitely will need to have multiple viewings but it got the point across and it was very entertaining. I cracked up when one of the guys threw that shopping cart. Reminds me of Awakening in a good way.
@Jeanna, So I’m a little confused about the rules of the contest, is it whoever shares the video the most wins? Or is the winner just chosen at random, and so sharing it more just gives you more chances to win? Thanks!
The person who shares the MOST wins the grand prize.
The secondary prize (a signed photo of the band) is selected randomly from all those who share
Oh okay thanks so much! Also sorry I keep asking you questions, but how do they know how many times you’ve shared the video, is it some how tracked with your email address?
Oh my gosh. The Original….that was hilarious! ahhahaha
…and Fading West. My goodness I’m so excited for this record/film!!! It definitely has a old meets new vibe….much like Hello Hurricane (which is still my favorite album.)
Really looking forward to seeing where they go with it….
While I haven’t really understood many of the choices regarding which VV songs are pushed as singles (minus Dark Horses of course), I really loved this video! Creative and grabs your attention. Musically, the guys are, in my opinion, better than ever, and hopefully something like this helps on the publicity side of things. God knows they deserve it! Super pumped for Fading West!
That music video just makes me so unbelievably happy.
Yes. Just yes.
I still think that The Original sounds a lot like Stacked Actors by Foo Fighters…
The video was crazy stuff. I was disappointed at first, but liked it on repeated viewings. It has the farellian humor that the guys share. Thumbs up!
Why wont the contest update on the ranks?
its the awakening…homeless style!!
I really like how the video crosses ethnic groups and social classes. And… social boundaries too. And personalities! Like, THE WOMAN… and THE SLEAZE… and the either homeless or the nature lover! Don’t forget the normal people who are waiting at the end of the finish line either, y’all.
The woman just makes me laugh. The water bottle. And the smooches. She cheers when he throws things off cliffs. I’m sorry to break it to you all die-hard fangirls out there (from any band)- You will never beat this woman with your antics.
The cheeziness of the movie crossed with seriousness crossed with ridiculous humor. There’s one word for it- Switchfoot. (We all know about Jon’s love for corny jokes, riiiight?)
Yeah!!!
Ha good description, that!
OMG That video is… Wierd, but I really like it
And I just can’t wait for FADING WEST!!!!!!!!
L-O-V-E Switchfoot4E\/3r!
So Fading West is going to be the mother of all podcasts I can just tell. It’s a great thing how the guys take us along on their journey. Gotta love it! I thought the video for the original was certainly original and I got that very message within the character of the older guy who seems to be homeless. Although it never occured to me that that’s what was being portrayed. I see him as someone who marches to the beat of his own drum, not what society dictates. An original. He ‘chooses’ to live a simple life away from the rat race minding his own business, and stays fit and centered and at peace by running and doing yoga. Two great choices by the way. I see the ‘cheesy muscle head wanna be’(the only part that’s creepy to me
– he’s really hard to look at :/) as the bully who is too ignorant to see any value in someone like the older guy just because he is different…and I think that creepy muscle head can represent a judgemental society. I saw the ending coming a mile away…at least where the skinny guy one-ups the bully, but I didn’t anticipate the handshake. That part has Jon written all over it. Jon is big on extending a hand. Well all of them really, but I think Jon heads that department. Come July, I too will be Fading West.
I liked your insight – that was a really fresh way of looking at it.
Interesting tidbit though – the guys didn’t really have any input in this video. Several directors wrote creative treatments for the video and guys chose the one they liked the best. And they liked this video so much that they didn’t want anything changed.
That’s great tidbit Jeanna:) That’s great that they are all so much on the same page. I think that harmony is what is great about SF. I guess what I meant by Jon’s signature is that it’s so much who he is…always extending a hand. I have a crisp image of him extending his hand to the cop from here in Tampa even after being kinda “bullied”
And he reaches out to his audience so consistenly. I just see that last scene as so Jon-esque. And really the best part is that the antagonist did it because it’s so unexpected. One would more likely expect the protagonist to “rise above” and try to mend fences. Either way, the really great thing about this video is that it’s certainly not boring even if some don’t like it. It at least makes one think. I enjoyed it.
I love everything about the video
. I especially loved the 8track (look it up youngsters 
).
So since we are all going to be in So Cal in July, how about some of you locals hosting a beach bon fire Wednesday night????
I LOVE the Fading West music in the clip and can’t wait to hear entire song!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Original was very original…and surprising
I volunteered at a homeless shelter recently and I have to say that there are many lovable people out there who may nevertheless make you cringe a little when you first meet them, but who you walk away loving anyway. This video captures that reality in all it’s awkward, uncomfortable glory. Quite brilliant, I have to say. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look in the protagonist’s face either. It conveys such unexpected nobility and self respect.
Fading West does sound like old meets new, and I’m so happy. The most universal messages switchfoot has ever sounded seem to me to come from their mid-tempo ballads. Their beautiful light rock sound present in This is Home and Always is something’s I have missed and something I can’t wait to hear again in Back to the Beginning and Fading West.
I thought this whole video sharing thing was a great idea until my tumblr dash became only this video. I literally have to scroll for five minutes until I find something other than this video
I am soooo excited for Fading West though
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS SO AWESOME
I found the actor in the video! He’s Neil Hollister. He commented on the vid on youtube.
Sorry – Polister, not Hollister.