Handmade Moments, ‘Phone Down’ Music Video [Exclusive Premiere]
Eclectic Americana duo Handmade Moments are premiering the music video for their viral cover of Erykah Badu's 2015 song "Phone Down" exclusively for readers of The Boot. Press play above to groove along to the mellow, romantic tune.
Handmade Moments' indie-folk take on "Phone Down" first originated when they were at Camp Grounded, a "digital detox" retreat in California. It later appeared in an impromptu Facebook video, recorded on a phone with only a mic, stand-up bass and smoldering vocals from the duo's Anna Moss. There, it racked up more than 4.5 million views, spurring the band to head to Venice, Italy to record an official video of their charming, Americana-influenced riff on the Badu favorite.
"The concept is something that we all struggle with ... addiction to the cell phone. It's a relatively new phenomenon that has emerged as we enter this digital age. It's so easy to spend too much time on our phones because we use them to socialize with friends, find romance and navigate through the world. Our phones are extensions of us, but they can also become our masters," Moss tells The Boot. "I am a huge Erykah Badu fan, and when I first heard this song, it was stuck in my head for weeks until I learned it. It feels relevant as more and more people are glued to their phones and missing out on the present moment."
Comprised of Moss and bandmate Joel Ludford, Handmade Moments just released a new album of classic and modern covers, titled Number Ones, on Nov. 1; in addition to "Phone Down," the record features songs by Blondie, Bill Withers and James Brown. The project is a comeback of sorts for the duo, who were involved in a devastating car accident in 2016 that left Ludford seriously injured and all of their instruments and equipment destroyed.
Now back at full capacity, Handmade Moments have upcoming tour dates scheduled in Texas and Arkansas, along with a performance on Feb. 16, 2020, at the Whigfest Music & Arts Festival alongside Shovels & Rope and the Infamous Stringdusters. Fans can keep up with Handmade Moments via the duo's official website, or purchase Number Ones via Amazon.
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