Big City Breakdown 16: Hep Cat Boo Daddies -"All My Life"

We are expanding the scope of the Big City Breakdown, taking on the streets of other big cities! The concept remains the same, where we are selecting the areas best local bands to play one unplugged song, outdoors while we film the performance in one running take. The Big City Breakdown is an opportunity to showcase the citys most talented bands outside of the traditional club and bar scene with no electricity, no editing magic, and no boundaries.

We've wanted to shoot in Fort Lauderdale from the beginning; the fact is we have some outstanding music that comes from here. The first band that came to mind was the The Hep Cat Boo Daddies, so one night after witnessing them play a killer set at the Poorhouse I approached Joel Dasilva. We talked a while, I proposed the idea, and Joel was stoked to be involved.

Bob and I met Joel by the downtown bus terminal, where we werent too crazy about shooting. We deliberated on a handful of alternate locations, then agreed to try the top level of a nearby parking garage. Our intent was to go straight to the summit, to the helipad, but a locked gate denied us further access. We shot a few tests in an al fresco elevator area, which I rather liked. Then Bob suggested that we try another vantage point and Joel obliged nearing the structures edge. As soon as we were ready a security guard crept up and nicely asked us to leave. Taking advantage of her kindness, I quickly approached her vehicle and charmed her into allowing us one more take.

Joel played a striped down version of a song called All My Life. This gritty blues tune traces back through the path of a tormented man's life, who is trying to rise above his demons. All My Life hits you in the guts, so you want to help this lost soul get on the right track before he gives in and sells out to the devil. Joels performance was so raw that a helicopter landed on the roof to rescue him.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Big City Breakdown
• BCB
• Hep Cat Boo Daddies
• Joel Dasilva
• All My Life
• Downtown Fort Lauderdale
• gritty blues
• The Poorhouse