In presenting their first major music video premiere, Blonde Roses are taking aim at the head and the heart.
Dealing with its share of problems while trying to get off the ground, the kick-ass four-piece alternative rock 'n' roll 'n' blues band from Louisiana is making its target audience think and feel simultaneously. And as Blonde Roses' strong, expressive front woman, lead singer Molly Portier seems confident enough to call the shots.
It's no surprise, then, that Lafayette, Louisiana, video director John Paul Summers of Infinite Focus made Portier the "obvious choice" to play the main character in the video for Blonde Roses' "Bullet," which premieres exclusively today (Aug. 31) at The Huffington Post.
It certainly wasn't typecasting, but turning her into "a total badass woman" preying on "married men, specifically cheating married men," according to Summers -- seemed like a no-brainer.
And Portier, a 24-year-old New Orleans native who still lives there after earning a bachelor's degree in Music Industry Studies from Loyola University, relished the juicy "black widow" role and gives a powerful performance, despite not having any previous acting experience.
"I was extremely nervous going into this -- especially because of how intense my character is," she responded via email in conjunction with the premiere. "I have a few close friends who act professionally, so it helped being able to get advice from them."
In the music video for "Bullett," Blonde Roses lead singer Molly Portier plays
a black widow-type character who seduces sleazy men to
ultimately put them in deadly situations.
To get into the character's mindset, Portier said she relied on the "ultimate female antihero" -- Kill Bill's Beatrix, played by Uma Thurman -- for inspiration. "(Beatrix) is seeking revenge on those who have wronged her in the past," Portier said.
In the "Bullet" video, Portier's character resorts to violence, too. That was a concern for the band and filmmaker who "wanted to speak to something bigger than just your typical 'girl turns crazy for revenge' type character," Portier said, adding that more to the backstory may be revealed in the future. "She believes that two wrongs make a right, which it never does."
After watching the video, form your own opinion and feel free to share your comments below. Then get to know more about Blonde Roses, who are completing work on their debut EP that they hope to release this winter. Portier's bandmates include drummer Anthony Mikhael, guitarist Harry Rosenberg and bassist Albert Moliere, all Lafayette, Louisiana natives.
Blonde Rose's music video for "Bullet":
BLONDE ROSES RECOVER NICELY FROM GROWING PAINS
Though most folks outside Louisiana may not be aware of Blonde Roses, they have a storied past. This project began germinating nine years ago, and in May 2008, a teenage Molly Portier co-founded a female duo called the Wooden Wings.
The singer-songwriter who also plays guitar met her future boyfriend (and future bandmate) Anthony Mikhael at a Wooden Wings show, and they have been in a relationship for seven years. "Soon after we started dating, Anthony joined our band as our drummer," Portier said.
In March 2015, the Wooden Wings -- with band members also including Harry Rosenberg and Albert Moliere -- celebrated the successful Kickstarter funding that enabled them to start making their "first professional studio record."
Twelve months later, co-founder Cherie LeJeune left the band to pursue other interests, right before they were going to release that record.
Calling it "a drastic lineup change," Portier said, "It was more than just a band. We grew up doing this -- it was a huge part of who I was and still am. So, naturally, it was really tough to see it come to such an abrupt stop. It was heartbreaking, but looking back I think it worked out for the best for everyone involved.
"Sometimes, beauty can come from hard times," she continued. "Myself and the remaining members didn't feel that it was right to move forward under the name the Wooden Wings, so we decided collectively that it was time to press the reset button."
A six-song EP released digitally June 24 was the Wooden Wings' swan song, but on July 5, the group officially became Blonde Roses, a band that cites influences including Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin and the Beatles. (Molly Portier and her bandmates, standing from left: Anthony Mikhael, Albert Moliere and Harry Rosenberg.)
Here's a capsule look at the other three members of Blonde Roses, including age, hometown, education and current residence and current "day job" while performing in the band:
Anthony Mikhael, drummer (24)
• Hometown: Lafayette, La.
• Education: Working on MBA with a concentration in Management Information Systems from the University of New Orleans.
• Residence: New Orleans.
• Other job: Men's fashion consultant at Rubensteins.
Harry Rosenberg, guitarist (25)
• Hometown: Lafayette, La.
• Education: Graduated from Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette.
• Residence: New Orleans.
• Other job: Line cook at Outback Steakhouse.
Albert Moliere, bassist (25)
• Hometown: Lafayette, La.
• Education: Working on a General Studies degree from the University of Lafayette Louisiana.
• Residence: Lafayette, La.
• Other job: Waiter.
Portier is the only woman in the quartet, but that's not the issue. "We are an incredibly close group of friends, so we all respect each other as equals," she said.
However, the musician who also has worked as an independent contractor for music festivals is frank about the subject of gender equity and how women are treated in the industry.
"I have faced many situations where being a female playing in a band has worked against me," Portier offered. "I prefer being in a band that consists mostly of men because I feel safer walking in a bar and playing a show knowing they are there, and that's a sad reality. I can't tell you the amount of times we have walked off stage where the guys have been complimented on their musicianship where I am merely seen as a sex object. The fact that I am a musician gets overlooked. It can feel at times that this industry is a boys club where women aren't taken as seriously. ...
"Women get told constantly in this industry that sex sells. If we wear a little bit less, people will like us. That shouldn't be our main selling point. Our talents should. Don't get me wrong, this isn't always the case, but it's something that happens enough to where it's an issue that needs to be discussed."
The "Bullet" video tries to make a point -- this femme fatale can be sexy and confident "without being overly sexualized."
It's a remarkable introduction to the band, and the song with its stunning finish will be among five selections included on the EP produced by Ben Lorio of the Music Shed in New Orleans.
Also included is the far tamer "Farewell Letter," showing the group's softer side. According to Portier, "we have collectively decided to give this our everything. We want to reach more people with our music physically and emotionally."
Blonde Roses are getting ready to prove their aim is true.
Publicity photo by Julie Gautreaux. Video still courtesy of the artist.