Shortstraw releases Bowsie
This month Shortstraw released Bowsie, its fifth song from the band's Those Meddling Kids collective. The song is about lead vocalist Alastair Thomas' part Rottweiler, part Labrador called Bowser, who passed away in 2016 while the band was on tour in Europe.
From the start, Alastair’s love for his dogs led to the use and mention of dogs in so many aspects of the band’s image and creative output. For many years they practiced at Alastair’s house, so the dogs were a big part of their lives. Alastair never got to say goodbye to Bowsie, so now a few months after her passing, she gets honoured with a song about her and the loss felt now that she’s gone.
“Bowsie is signature to Shortstraw in the sense that our same energetic spirit is felt throughout the song. Even though the context has the potential to be saddening, the song is upbeat and strong.”
Launch of The Bowsie Foundation
With the release of Bowsie, Shortstraw is also launching The Bowsie Foundation, an initiative set up by the band as a means to support animal charities in South Africa.
The aim of the foundation is for the band to do their part in making sure animal charities can receive whatever money and aid possible. The band often gets asked to do charity shows and wishes they could do them all. Instead, with starting their own foundation, and their annual Mandelapalooza, they will focus their efforts on making sure the charities they believe in receive the right funding, and that they know they are doing everything in their power to make a difference.
Montego Pet Nutrition has come on board to pledge money for The Bowsie Foundation’s first project - the #BowsieChallenge. Montego will be donating R1 for every view of the Bowsie video received within 15 days, up until R15,000, so the band is setting out to achieve 15,000 views in 15 days. The Bowsie Foundation will be donating the money to an animal charity of the band’s choice. The band will also give fans the chance to recommend charities.
For more info on The Bowsie Foundation, visit shortstraw.co.za/bowsiefoundation
Video production
The music video was shot by cinematographer, Fred Wollner. It was shot in one night inside a Wendy house that was made to look like the ultimate ‘dog cave’. The band also dedicated a day to shooting the portrait scenes with all their dogs at Tom’s house.
“Fans can expect a fun, yet touching video. Just like we wanted to honour our fathers and the role they play in our lives through Keep It In The Family, we now get the chance to honour the animals we love with all our hearts and at the end of the day help, in whatever way we can, some animals out there that aren’t as lucky as ours!”
Recognising members of the TMK squad
Fallen Heroes tattooist, Lauren joins the Those Meddling Kids (TMK) squad as designer of Bowsie’s artwork.
Another member of the TMK squad is Nick Hamman, longtime friend and supporter of Shortstraw, as well as the band’s media partner. As host of a morning show on 5FM, he has given Shortstraw an 8.20am slot on the first Friday of every month to debut and talk about each single as it’s released.
Shortstraw has all of their music equipment provided and endorsed by TOMS.
For more information and to view the collective’s directory, visit shortstraw.co.za/tmk
Website: shortstraw.co.za | Facebook: www.facebook.com/shortstrawband | Twitter: twitter.com/shortstrawband | BandCamp: shortstraw.bandcamp.com
