Benji Hughes – “Peacockin’ Party” (video) (premiere)

Benji Hughes writes hook-filled, quirky, fun pop songs that wind up as pure ear candy and sport a deft, light humor that can brighten the darkest of days. So, it’s not a surprise that he began his music career penning advertising jingles, a task that demands instant memorability and cleverness with melody and words. Hughes’ music is so winning that upon reviewing his recent album Songs in the Key of Animals, we said that “this Jekyll and Hyde hop from funky to somber on Songs in the Key of Animals caters to a wide a range of audiences and there’s not one throw away track to show for it. Suturing hooks and crafting theme songs has clearly given him a creative perspective unheard in quite awhile.”

Today we’re bringing you the new video for “Peacockin’ Party” from the recent record and it’s a whimsical take on searching for the perfect peacock for the party. Director Scott Jacobson (Bob’s Burgers, The Daily Show) says he “wanted to make a video that was as ridiculous, colorful, and animal-packed as the song. The ‘animal-packed’ part of that equation is difficult to pull off on a budget, so the video ended up being about the hunt for the only guest who really matters at a peacockin’ party.” Hughes repsonded that “everything has a power animal. This video’s power animal is the megalodon.”

You can catch Benji Hughes performing in New York this Wednesday, March 16, and for free in Durham, NC, at Motorco on April 30, with more shows to be announced soon. Songs in the Key of Animals is available now on double-CD and LP in the Merge store and from your favorite music provider.