Anniversary of Gothic Western-Style Video “Misery and Gin”
It’s been seven years to the day since the Heathen Apostles blew fans of Gothic Americana music away with their unique cover of Merle Haggard’s classic song “Misery and Gin.” Their haunting, Gothic Western-style rendition of the classic track expertly uses haunting strings and the ethereal vocals of Mather Louth to create a brooding, melancholic soundscape. It’s a style that the band has become revered for, and it’s on full display in this unforgettable rendition. Louth’s voice, in particular, is a standout in the track- it’s powerful and emotive, yet restrained, perfectly capturing the raw emotions of the lyrics.
Seven years on from the release of the “Misery and Gin” cover, the Heathen Apostles remain at the forefront of Gothic Americana music. Their unique blend of genres and exceptional musicianship has garnered them a passionate fanbase around the world. And, of course, their talent for reimagining classic tracks like “Misery and Gin” ensures that their Gothic Western-style version will continue to captivate listeners for years to come.
Directed by the Heathen Apostles
Mather Louth as The Dead-Eye Gal
Chopper Franklin as The Howlin Gun
Mister Luz as Black Bart/Buffalo Bill Cody
Natasha Paulson as The Country Girl
Stevyn Grey as The Peacemaker
Timbo Gruse as The Bartender
Ayriel Hartman as The Flirt
Lauren Foulk and Damian Stellabott as The Couple
Special FX aging makeup: Jennifer Corona
Beauty makeup: Alexia Petre
Wardrobe: Cheri Wilson Chagollan, Chopper Franklin, Mather Louth
Shot at Wonderland Studios (Anaheim, Ca., thanks to Cheri Wilson Chagollan www.wonderlandstudiosoc.com) and Johnny’s Bar (Highland Park, Ca., thanks to Zak Crandell and Romina Corilla).
Post Production at the Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca.
© 2016 Ratchet Blade Records
Celebrating Gothic Americana Style Video “Fool’s Gold”
Today marks the eighth anniversary of the Heathen Apostles’ Gothic Americana style music video for their song “Fool’s Gold.” Released in 2015, this dark and cinematic video transports us back to the Depression era, where bank robbers are seeking refuge in a fortune teller’s lair after a heist. “Fool’s Gold” is undoubtedly one of their most popular songs, and the music video took it to another level. The video was directed by the band and the song was produced by Chopper Franklin. The video follows a gang of bank robbers as they seek refuge in a mysterious and otherworldly lair. The fate of these robbers is determined by Mather Louth’s fortune teller character, who has a magical connection to the spirits of the underworld.
The use of shadows, light, and symbolism further adds to the video’s atmospheric and eerie ambiance. The video shows us the consequences of greed and violence, as the robbers who seek to escape with their loot end up trapped in a cycle of fear. Louth’s fortune teller character represents a higher power that has the power to judge and punish, much like the spirits of the afterlife.
It’s a testament to the talent and creativity of the Heathen Apostles and their collaborators who brought it to life. The band continues to release new and exciting music that pushes the boundaries with their Gothic Americana style, so hold tight to see what they have in store in the future.
Directed by The Heathen Apostles.
Director of Photography, Still Photography: Lawrence Drayton
Band footage shot by Daniel DeLeon
Makeup: Alexia Petre
Wardrobe: Nicole Loretta of Paper Moon Vintage
Henna: Kelly Jurado
Locations: Marsak Manor (thanks Nathan & Nicole) and South Bay Customs
Fool’s Gold written by Louth/Franklin, produced & mixed by Chopper Franklin at the Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca.
© 2015 Ratchet Blade Records
“The Reckoning” Western Goth Music Video Anniversary
10 years ago today the Heathen Apostles put out their first music video, The Reckoning. The band filmed the Western Goth music video before they played their first show, when the Heathen Apostles were just the OG trio of Mather Louth, Chopper Franklin and Thomas Lorioux. It’s the first thing they put out so this is pretty much the 10th anniversary of the band, they’ve really been hard at it non-stop. Violinist Luis Mascaro joined just after this, they’ve put out 6 albums, several EPs and singles, toured Europe several times and are heading to the UK in July. While Corporate Music has been conglomerating (and cannibalizing) itself, they’ve managed to fly under the radar, doin’ their thing (which the band admits ain’t for everybody). Thanks to all past band members, and all that have supported us; whether it’s one download, or buying every release and piece of merch the Heathen Apostles have had for sale. Click HERE to watch The Reckoning video.
Click HERE to purchase the CD, to purchase it on iTunes click HERE, for Amazon click HERE.
Directed by the Heathen Apostles
Featuring Edward Colver as the Demonic Preacher.
Production assistance by Monica Blair and Thai Knight. Special thanks to Karin Swinney.
The Reckoning written by Louth/Franklin
Produced & mixed by Chopper Franklin at the Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca.
© 2013 Ratchet Blade Records
“Roots Run Deep” – The New Western Gothic Music Video
The Heathen Apostles have released a new Western Gothic music video; Roots Run Deep is the first single from their new album Bloodgrass Vol. 3 & 4 (produced by Chopper Franklin), out now on Ratchet Blade Records. The video was directed by noted Belgian filmmaker Caroline Poisson and filmed at Moulin Castral during the recent Heathen Apostles European tour in Spring of 2022 to promote the new album. You can check it out HERE.
Singer Mather Louth recently posted how important the song (and the Western Gothic music video) and the lyrics are to her:
I wish I could take credit for these words. However, the truth of it is that the chorus of “Roots run deep” was channeled.
The words came to me in January as I had finished reading out on my sun porch, watching the movement of the wind through the trees. Simple words, but far too true to come from one person: “Branches may sway, but the roots run deep”. I had no idea what to do with them, but I wrote them down and carried on with my day.
Months later, when Chopper presented me with a batch of new song ideas that would become the second half of BLOODGRASS VOL. 3 & 4, it became clear: those words were meant for the chorus of one of the most personal and unfiltered songs I’ve written to date. I’ll admit- it’s been scary to strip away so much pretense and use honest, simple language. But in a way, it was freeing, and it allowed me to set the constant weight on my shoulders down, if just for a bit.
Those words are a reminder. Those words are a spell. Every time I sing them, it instantly grounds me and reminds me to stay present, to not be shaken by the day to day. Bad things happen. Sometimes, very bad things. But remember your roots. Ground down. Breathe. Carry on. You are an oak.
How lovely that we were able to pair the song with such a beautifully simple, elegant video thanks to the lovely @carolinepoisson. True, I may have been filming this on 3 hours of sleep and several weeks of living the fast pace of tour life, but that seems to be all the more appropriate for the honesty in the song. No more pretense. No more pressure to look perfect.
I hope you’ll take the time to go check out the video. The fact that the song is 3:33 minutes long only seems to offer more proof that its genesis came from the beyond. This song grounds me.
Heathen Apostles’ Original Gothic Western Music Video
On this day in 2013 the Heathen Apostles released their original Gothic Western music video “The Reckoning”. It was directed by the band, and features Edward Colver as the Demonic Preacher. The Reckoning was the first single from their first album Boot Hill Hymnal, out in 2013 on Ratchet Blade Records.
From the Heathen Apostles’ social media: We released “The Reckoning”, our first music video, on this day in 2013. We had yet to play a show (the band was just @matherlouth , Chopper and Thomas) but we wanted to come out swinging so we went ahead and directed it ourselves. Our good friend @edwardcolver played the Demon Preacher, thanks to all involved in the filming and to Mike Livingston for playing on the song.
From the Boot Hill Hymnal 1 sheet:
“No one sings as purely as those who are in the deepest hell. Theirs is the
song which is confused with that of the angels.” Franz Kafka
Born of the voices of past lives and baptized in the dust bowl dirt, the
dark roots music of the HEATHEN APOSTLES harkens back to a
bygone chapter of American history while firmly keeping one foot
planted in the present-day city of Los Angeles.
One Indian summer evening, femme fatale bellower Mather Louth
(Radio Noir) and punk rock veteran Chopper Franklin (The Cramps,
Charley Horse), quickly uncovered a mutual appreciation for murder
balladry, original Gothic Western music, and memento mori. Soon, the HEATHEN
APOSTLES surfaced. The landscape was further tilled with the
addition of Thomas Lorioux (The Kings of Nuthin’) on the upright bass.
The Heathen’s debut release, Boot Hill Hymnal, seeks to answer a
question posed long ago by Blind Willie Johnson- just what is the soul of
a man? (…Or, as the case may be here, a woman with a thousand-yard
stare.) The resulting collection of songs is complex, catchy, and wholly
cohesive to the Apostles’ ghost town.
“Death’s Head” Video – Still a Western Gothic Favorite
Today is the 7 year anniversary of the Heathen Apostles‘ Death’s Head video, the first from their second album Fire to the Fuse. The cast and crew wasn’t quite as large as their previous video (2014’s Dark Was The Night), but everyone did a great job, it’s definitely one of everyone’s western gothic favorites. Here are the credits from the video’s original posting:
“Death’s Head” is the new single by the Heathen Apostles, Mather Louth (Radio Noir), Chopper Franklin (The Cramps, Nick Curran & the Lowlifes), Thomas Lorioux (Kings of Nuthin), Stevyn Grey (Christian Death) and Luis Mascaro, w/ Timbo Gruse (Speedbuggy). Support the band and their art by purchasing the single at iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dea… or at Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Deaths-Head-Hea… You can visit their website here: https://heathenapostles.com
Directed by The Heathen Apostles and Lawrence Drayton.
Director of Photography, Still Photography: Lawrence Drayton (Raven’s Laughter)
Makeup: Alexia Petre
Wardrobe: Cheri Wilson Chagollan, Mather Louth
Snake Handler: Peggy Rivera
Death’s Head written by Louth/Franklin
Produced, mixed & mastered by Chopper Franklin at the Devil’s Doghouse, Echo Park, Ca.
© 2015 Ratchet Blade Records
#heathenapostles #southerngothic #gothicwestern # western gothic #bloodgrass #darkcountry #murderfolk #gothiccountry #rootsmusic #americana #goth #musicvideo #autinveniamviamautfaciam
Eight Year Anniversary of Western Goth Video “Dark Was The Night”
Eight years ago today the Heathen Apostles came out with the western goth video Dark Was The Night, the second one from their debut album “Boot Hill Hymnal” on Ratchet Blade Records. The band had a lot of help with this one, here is the original listing and a partial list of credits:
‘Dark Was The Night’ is the second western goth video from the Heathen Apostles debut album ‘Boot Hill Hymnal’ on Ratchet Blade Records. The Heathen Apostles are Mather Louth (Radio Noir), Chopper Franklin (The Cramps, Mau Maus), Thomas Lorioux (King of Nuthin’),
and Luis Mascaro.
Heathen Apostles – Dark Was The Night from Heathen Apostles on Vimeo.
Get Boot Hill Hymnal now from the Heathen Apostles store and iTunes: http://tiny.cc/boothillhymnal
Director: Victoria Vengeance
Editor: Laura Creecy
Director of Photography: Brian Davis
Second Unit Camera: Jim Kunz
Makeup: Shanna Cistulli, Jennifer Corona, Alta DeKoven, Denise Hart Larsen, Austin Mark
Special FX Body Paint: Lisa Berczel
Hair: Danielle June, Corinne Renee, Lia Lavaggi, Michelle Pena
Costuming: Cheri Wilson Chagollan, Joany Hernandez, Christy Kane, Mather Louth, Jenn Odd, Heathen Apostles
Props: Huy Vu
Location: Star Ranch, Corona, CA
Cast: David Backhaus, Kelly DeVoto, D.W. Frydendall, Timbo Gruse, Nickie Jean, Mike Odd, Georges-Robert, Frankie Sin, Jamie Watkins
Heathen Apostles – Heavy Western Video Debut
The Heathen Apostles have debuted the second Heavy Western video from their live EP Prayers Before The Plague, out on Ratchet Blade Records. It was recorded live at their headquarters The Devil’s Doghouse in Echo Park, Ca. during quarantine for the COVID 19 pandemic, and shortly after announcing the postponement of their 2020 European and West Coast tours. The European tour is being rebooked, click HERE to contact Rootstown Bookings for booking info and tour dates.
An announcement about the Death’s Head video straight from the band:
“Today is the debut of our live video for “Death’s Head”, the perfect soundtrack for your Devil’s Night! It is from our upcoming EP “Prayers Before The Plague” out Halloween (tomorrow!) on Ratchet Blade Records. Today is the last day for the $4 pre sale, and a sincere thank you to all that have pre ordered this release so far, your support in these trying times means the world to us. Check it out by clicking HERE.”
“Death Bell Blues” Dark Blues Music Video
The Heathen Apostles have released a lyric video for Death Bell Blues, the first song on their new dark blues Born By Lightning EP, available now on Ratchet Blade Records. The band went in a dark blues direction for this release, casting the same dark spells they use on bluegrass and country onto the blues.
The video features footage shot long time collaborator Jorge Jaramillo, who in the past has worked with the Heathen Apostles by directing their Paint The Stars and Deadly Nightshade music videos. You can preview the Born By Lightning EP HERE.
“Whereas DUST TO DUST put the bluegrass of Bill Monroe into the woodshed with the gothic tendencies of Siouxsie & the Banshees, BORN BY LIGHTNING slinks and slithers to the beat of the blues, with plenty of shouts, hollers, and heavy slide guitar.”
Deadly Nightshade – Southern Gothic Horror Music Video
The Heathen Apostles are proud to announce Deadly Nightshade, their new Southern Gothic horror music video, directed by good friend Jorge Jaramillo. It is the third video from their Bloodgrass Vol. I & II album, out on Ratchet Blade Records. Here is the press release for the video:
Deadly Nightshade, the new music video from the Heathen Apostles, takes the band back into familiar dark territory; this time, the atmosphere is that of the quintessential Universal horror films of the 1930’s and 40’s.
Those familiar with the iconic genre will thrill to the sights of a mortician-like banjo player piloting an angelic victim down river to her doom and corpses floating up from their graves, while burlap-masked musicians provide the soundtrack to a feral witch stealing the soul from our helpless heroine.
‘Inspired by classic horror movies and German expressionism, the main goal was to not romanticize an old style, but rather to bring it to something that could still be dark, creepy and beautiful,’ states director Jorge Jaramillo (who also directed the Heathen Apostles’ Paint the Stars video). Watch the new video HERE.
Lead vocalist Mather Louth: ‘When the Heathens sat down for the initial pre-production meetings with Jorge, we all agreed that reinventing and modernizing the classic black and white horror genre would be the perfect visual direction for “Deadly Nightshade”. I’ve always felt very strongly about “Deadly Nightshade” being incredibly cinematic in nature, and it was always clear to me that Jorge would be the perfect director for the song. His work is thought-provoking, filled with symbolism and horrifically disturbing creatures, and he is a true visionary and original.
The video also served as a fun exploration for me to portray both predator and prey, and I particularly enjoyed finding the physicality and mannerisms of the witch’s character. There is something quite freeing about playing a character that is so wholly repulsive and ugly, especially in today’s overly filtered and appearance-obsessed culture.’
Deadly Nightshade is the third music video from the band’s Bloodgrass Vol. I & II album, check it out HERE. The Heathen Apostles fifth album, Dust to Dust, is out June 7th on Ratchet Blade Records.”
“Deadly Nightshade” Dark Music Video Begins
The Heathen Apostles and director Jorge Jaramillo are collaborating again on what promises to be another dark music video. The video is for Deadly Nightshade, the lead song from their latest album Bloodgrass Vol. I & II, out now on Ratchet Blade Records. They have collaborated previously on the Paint the Stars video, released this past summer, and this video looks to be even grimmer than that effort. The project is currently in pre-production, with production assistance from Ana Sanchez, and will begin shooting in January of 2019. Check back for more details and BTS photos.
Felipe Orozco, Esteban Orozco, Jorge Jaramillo and Mather Louth on the “Paint the Stars” video set.
Heathen Apostles on Dutch Blue Grass Sessions
The Melkbus Sessions has released two videos of the Heathen Apostles playing Without A Trace and Lily of the West (from 2015’s “Fire to the Fuse album) at Melkbus in Dordrecht, Netherlands on their 2018 European tour. The Melkbus Sessions is an initiative by The Dutch Blue Grass Sessions in Mini-theater De Melkbus in Dordrecht / Netherlands and produced by Burger Productions. The Heathen Apostles will be returning to Melkbus on their upcoming 2019 European Tour. Click HERE for more info.
Without A Trace (live in Dordrecht, Netherlands)
Lily of the West (live in Dordrecht, Netherlands)
Death Came a Ridin’ Video Debuts Today
The Heathen Apostles’ Death Came a Ridin’ video debuts today, it is the first music video off of the band’s fourth album Bloodgrass Vol. I & II. It was directed by Ashley Joncas, and features a story written by the Heathen Apostles. You can listen to the Bloodgrass Vol. I & II album HERE.
Death Came a Ridin’ Music Video Wrapped
Principal photography on the upcoming Death Came a Ridin’ music video has wrapped, the Heathen Apostles would like to thank the many cast and crew members that participated in this epic production. The Death Came a Ridin’ music video is the first from the forthcoming Bloodgrass Vol. I & II album, out July 20th on LP & CD on Ratchet Blade Records.
The Bloodgrass Vol. I & II album will consist of the two digital-only EPs released in 2017 and 2018, and will be available on the band’s European tour, starting August 3rd in Essen, Germany. Check back for more info and links.
Death Came a Ridin’ Video Shoot Under Way
The music video for Death Came a Ridin’ has begun, it is the first video and single from the upcoming Bloodgrass Vol. I & II album, out on LP & CD on July 20th on Ratchet Blade Records. The Death Came a Ridin’ video is being directed by Ashley Joncas and will be debuted to coincide with the release of the Bloodgrass Vol. I & II album. Check back for more info and BTS pics as they are posted.
BTS pics by Ashley Joncas
Paint the Stars Video and Bloodgrass Vol. II Pre Sale Launched
Today the Heathen Apostles Paint the Stars video launches, along with the pre-sale for the Bloodgrass Vol. II EP (out 3/25/18 on Ratchet Blade Records). The video was directed by Jorge Jaramillo, and is the first from the upcoming EP. You can preview and order the BGVII EP for a low $3 HERE.
Heathen Apostles’ Paint the Stars Video Coming May 21st
The release date for the Heathen Apostles’ new music video Paint the Stars has been announced. The Jorge Jaramillo directed video will debut on Monday May 21st, it is the first video from the upcoming Bloodgrass Vol. II EP, out Friday May 25th on Ratchet Blade Records. Check back for video links and more info, and stay tuned for upcoming music videos from this release, and the upcoming Bloodgrass Vol. I & II, out this Summer on LP and CD.
Jorge Jaramillo to Direct “Paint the Stars” Video
The Heathen Apostles are collaborating with Colombian filmmaker Jorge Jaramillo on the music video for the upcoming single “Paint the Stars”. Jorge has long been on the cutting edge of film production and stereoscopic animation, and is a good friend of the band. You can see some of his work HERE.
“Paint the Stars” is the first offering the upcoming Bloodgrass Vol. II EP, due for release on May 25th on Ratchet Blade Records. Check back for the EP’s release date and more info on the “Paint the Stars” video shoot and release.
Jorge Jaramillo painting by Ana Sanchez
Heathen Apostles Record “Never Leave Harlan Alive” For “Bloodgrass”
From the Heathen Apostles Facebook page: “‘You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive’ from our upcoming @ratchetbladerecords release, “Bloodgrass”. Mather and Chopper of the Heathen Apostles recorded Darrell Scott’s classic tale of Appalachia in recognition of those folks who are dealing with extreme poverty, a brutal opioid crisis (their #1 cause of accidental death), along with a vanishing coal industry. It’s going to take alot more than lip service to make America great again.” For more Heathen Apostles videos click HERE.
Heathen Apostles Collaborate in new POTBH Video
The new Phantom of the Black Hills hellbilly video for Wild Witch of the West is live, it is the first music video from the new Phantom of the Black Hills album Scalped, out 8/25/17 on Ratchet Blade Records. It was directed by Chopper Franklin and features Mather Louth from the Heathen Apostles. Wild Witch of the West is an unofficial sequel to the Heathen Apostles video for Fist City, and contains footage from that video shot by Harmony Gerber.
Check out the Pre Sale for Scalped by clicking HERE.
“Wild Witch of the West” Video to Feature Mather
The new Phantom of the Black Hills music video for Wild Witch of the West features the Heathen Apostles’ Mather Louth, who also sang on the song. The video debuts Friday August 11th and the album Scalped releases on August 25th on Ratchet Blade Records. Check back for links and more details.
“Strange Flowers” Single and Video Debuts Today
The new Heathen Apostles’ single Strange Flowers is available today, along with the music video for the song. If you buy through the band’s digital webstore you will receive and free copy of the Strange Flowers remix (by Almighty Watching) and a bonus track of the Heathen’s Apostles’ cover of Echo and the Bunnymen’s The Killing Moon. You preview the songs by clicking HERE, and be sure watch and comment on the video too!
Pre-Production Begins For “Strange Flowers” Video
Pre-production has begun for the new video for the upcoming Heathen Apostles single Strange Flowers, on Ratchet Blade Records. The video will be directed by the band and will be shot over two weeks in April, check back for a release date for both the video and single.
Heathen Apostles Filming In Salem, Massachusetts
Happy New Year to all! Mather Louth and Chopper Franklin have spent part of the holiday in Salem, Massachusetts filming footage for an upcoming video project. They shot at Proctor’s Ledge, recently discovered as the actual site of the Salem Witch Trial hangings, and the Burying Point, the Salem graveyard where several participants in the Salem Witch Trials are buried. Check back for more details on this video and its release date.
