Judah and the Lion have released the video for their recent single, “Over my head”, a deeply personal track chronicling frontman Judah Akers’ struggles during a time that was both professionally exciting and personally turbulent. “Over my head” is taken off JaTL’s forthcoming third album, Pep Talks, which will hit streaming services this Spring via Cletus the Van/Caroline.
For now, we are given a visual for the single. The video takes place at high school, of course, the classic place for feeling directionless and in over one’s head. Drenched, barefoot, stumbling, sinking to the floor under flashing lights sums up high school perfectly— whether or not it was like that literally, there were certainly times when it felt like that. Complete with urgent, bleeding colors and fast-moving visuals that signal ones descent into lunacy, the video sees Akers running unencumbered through halls, swinging at the air, slinging himself about maniacally as his mental state teeters over. At one point, Akers finds himself speeding along in a vehicle with no driver; what better a metaphor than that to describe being in over your head. The video keeps with the high school theme and closes out with him playing the last chorus as part of a high school band (that he looks much cooler than, so maybe that was the ultimate message). All in all, the visual gets perfectly what the song said in words.
The band has also announced Pep Talks: An Intimate Album Listening and Storytelling Experience Presented by Judah & the Lion, a new kind of tour in which Judah Akers, Brian Macdonald, and Nate Zuercher will be on hand to tell the story behind Pep Talks, giving fans an exclusive and intimate listening experience ahead of the release. Fans can also submit their questions for Judah, Nate, and Brian ahead of the tour here. The band is also confirmed for Hangout Festival in Alabama, and Lollapalooza Paris. More live shows will be announced soon.
Pep Talks Tour Dates
April 16 @ Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, VA
April 17 @ Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, TN
April 18 @ 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA
April 23 @ Rudder Theatre in College Station, TX
April 24 @ George’s Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville, AR
April 25 @ Blue Note in Columbia, MO
May 17 @ Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, AL
July 20 @ Lollapalooza Paris in Paris, France