Kevin Bronson on August 24th, 2021

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Arriving today, here are new videos from Lawrence Rothman, Shannon Lay and Mini Trees. File under thoughtful viewing.

LAWRENCE ROTHMAN, “Glory” (feat. Katie Pruitt)

Besides a two-album, four-EP catalog, Lawrence Rothman has a remarkable volume of music videos — unsurprising given the filmic nature of the songs. Add the new, Mary Rozzi-directed video for “Glory.” “‘Glory’ is a beautiful track and one that resonates with me personally on such a deep level,” Rozzi says. “A six-minute track can be intimidating, but with their vision and trust, I felt a sense of true freedom that I haven’t had the chance to feel in quite some time.” That shows in the gorgeous desert landscapes near Pioneertown, juxtaposed with tight shots of Rothman’s confessionals. The video, Rothman says, “parallels when I wrote the song a year ago at small house I rented in Joshua Tree. The AC went out, so the best thing I could do was take a hike, [and] during that hike the lyrics and melody came to me like a waterfall. It was in the height of COVID lockdown. I remember feeling like, ‘What does it matter to write another song and put in the effort?’ Many artists won’t admit it, [but] we first write from a place of pain or joy or some triggered emotion, but we record it and release it to the public for validation and stroking of the ego. Mortality and appreciation of being alive was more magnified during last summer’s lockdown. Our lives can be taken so fast and unexpectedly. … The video displays the isolation I felt during a very hard year, [while] also celebrating the idea of being a wanderer and exploring inside your own ahead uninterrupted. You can confront the good and the bad about yourself without the noise of others.” The song, which features Katie Pruitt, is from Rothman’s album “Good Morning, America,” which also features “The Fix” and the Lucinda Williams collaboration “Decent Man.”

SHANNON LAY, “A Thread to Find”

Following up “Rare to Wake,” “Awaken and Allow” and the title track, Shannon Lay has unveiled another rapturous songs from her forthcoming album “Geist,” out Oct. 8 via Sub Pop. Lay says she wrote the song after walking into an old hotel in Switzerland and feeling a sense of déjà vu. “‘A Thread to Find’ is about finding pieces of yourself in unfamiliar places,” she explains. “It is about watching the people around you grow and evolve and admiring the chaos and the beauty of discovering new worlds within ourselves. It is recognizing the courage and strength in each other even in the face of great challenge. And it is a reminder for when you get lonely on your journey that we are in this together. You’re on your own but not alone.” The latter lyric applies to the recording process as well; Kai McKnight’s warm video for the song shows Lay at work in with Jarvis Taveniere (and his adorable dog) in his Glendale recording studio. (Shannon Lay is scheduled to perform at Gold-Diggers on Sept. 10.)

MINI TREES, “Cracks in the Pavement”

The follow-up to “Spring” and “Carrying On,” “Cracks in the Pavement” is the latest dose of smart indie-pop from “Always in Motion” (out Sept. 17 via Run For Cover Records), songwriter Lexi Vega’s debut album as Mini Trees. Vega’s confessional is about the ways we distract ourselves to avoid the truth, and Erik Shute directs the video, which features Kati Garceau and Mary Ives. (Mini Trees plays the Moroccan Lounge on Sept. 30 along with A.O. Gerber.)