Reckless Kelly – “What’s Left of My Heart”
Americana Highways presents this pop-up video premiere of Reckless Kelly’s song “What’s Left of My Heart,” recorded in Arlyn Studios in Austin Texas for their recently released album The Last Frontier, which was produced by Jonathan Tyler, Cody Braun, and Willy Braun; engineered by Joseph Halguin; mixed by Jacob Sciba, Cody Braun, and Jonathan Tyler; and mastered by Jacob Sciba.
Musicians on “What’s Left of My Heart” are Reckless Kelly: Willy Braun on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, and percussion; Cody Braun on fiddle, harmony vocals, mandolin, tenor guitar, synth, and percussion; Jay Nazz on drums and percussion; Joe Miller on bass; and Geoff Queen on lead electric guitar and pedal steel. With Bukka Allen on Hammond B3 organ, piano, and harmonium; Kelley Mickwee on harmony vocals; Jonathan Tyler on acoustic guitar, percussion, and synth; Micky Braun on acoustic guitar; and Gary Braun on acoustic guitar.
This “What’s Left of My Heart” video was produced by Cody Braun and co-directed by Cody and Tony Gates. It was filmed on location at the Whitewater Amphitheatre in New Bruanfels, Texas and at Giddy Ups in Austin. An essential core of the music scene in Austin for 30 years, Giddy Ups recently closed, so the video serves as a tribute to the venue, as well as to the party atmosphere and quality music it supported.
This pop up video is spicy as it rings true: “You can have what’s left of my heart / it’s been broken but there’re still a few working parts.” Rising out of the ashes can be fully exhilarating, and this song ratchets up the energy. More than just about the song, the video is a vignette, with signposts explaining important details along the way (for example that this song almost didn’t make the cut to be in the album), as the party then break out for real.
The video features several prominent Texas artists, including Rosie Flores, Kelly Mickwee, and Django Walker, along with Austin-based actor Beau Smith (Killers of the Flower Moon and Yellowstone 1883). Smith plays the role of tour manager, fruitlessly trying to corral the band into the bus for their next show while the party continues. Others appearing in the fun include Cody Braun’s wife Katy, John and Robin Dickson (founders and promoters of The MusicFest at Steamboat), Shannon Ford (producer of MusicFest), Wayne Nagel (a founder of the SIMS Foundation), Lisa Fletcher (owner of Arylin Studios), Rikki Hardy (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians), and Bruce and Susan Rampick, the original owners of Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar, where Reckless Kelly got its start in Austin.
The video pays tribute to so much, pre-eminent among the list is honoring music’s place in supporting a good time in life. Throw off your ‘to-do” list and live out loud.
We’ve made several music videos over the years and have been making shorts and skits since we were kids. I’ve always wanted to write and direct for the band, and with Tony Gates’ mentoring, I finally got to do just that. This video is exactly how I pictured it: a glimpse of what it’s like to hop on the bus after a show and hit a wild after-party with us. We shot the entire video in about five hours after a show, so a ton of pre-prep and organizing had to happen. It was amazing to have friends, family, and musician buddies join us and bring this vision to life. Giddy Ups was one of our favorite spots, and as Austin changes, we wanted to give it a proper send-off. – Cody Braun
I’m a fan first, so working with Reckless Kelly is always a dream come true. Cody had such a cool concept—an authentic embodiment of their ‘Sorry for Partying’ vibe—that it was just a matter of executing it. My goal was simply to capture that spirit and make sure the camera kept rolling! – Tony Gates
You can find the music, tour dates and more information here: https://recklesskelly.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Show Review: Reckless Kelly at Birchmere
