VIDEO: "Saddle Up" via My Old Kentucky Blog
MP3: "Pocket Calculator (Kraftwerk cover)"

In 2010, Seattle's Brent Amaker and the Rodeo have been hell bent on getting their brand of whiskey-soaked, barn-burning country in the eyes, ears, and minds of audiences that are decidedly un-country. In fact, the noise they made with outlets like ALARM Magazine, PopMatters, Magnet, OC Weekly, and more with last year's ominous yet, undeniably awesome Please Stand By full length made many a convert to the Rodeo's unique spin. Their fall 2010 tour, as well as performance at Seattle's Bumbershoot festival, helped to solidify those who had saw the light.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Amaker is starting off 2011 with a bang. My Old Kentucky Blog recently premiered the awesome new video for "Saddle Up" directed by Jason Sievers (who has made videos for The Wrens, The Posies, etc). In lieu of an actual video shoot, the video was made out of the band's existing tour photography. Each scene was built in Photoshop as an animated gif, with almost all of them taken on Amaker's iPhone from their 2010 tour dates, resulting in some kind of crazy video scrap book. In addition, Brent Amaker and the Rodeo will be playing their first hometown Seattle show of the year as well, on February 25th at the Crocodile, along with Virgin (Seattle), and The Love Loungers (Portland), and hosted by Troy Nelson. It's been awhile since the Rodeo has thrown down in his hometown, and it's not to be missed.

2011 will be taking the Rodeo on a European tour, another tour of the states, and to SXSW in Austin as well. You've been warned.