We have a tendency to mythologize house shows. And why wouldn’t we? At their best, they remove the barrier between artist and supporter and help build community in ways that traditional venue shows are incapable of doing. At their best, they serve as both pillar and fulcrum to the DIY music scene, allowing for a wider range of artists to gain exposure and carve an audience for themselves without having to deal with the sometimes petty politics presented by professional bookers and promoters.

But as the new video from emerging emo trio worlds greatest dad argues, those elements that make house shows so critical are only effective if the community is supportive and actively engaged, which is too often not the case.

“The concept behind the video was influenced by frequenting house shows and noticing how everyone is always drinking and smoking outside instead of watching bands play,” explains frontwoman Maddie Duncan. “We kind of wanted to poke fun at the fact that you have to advertise ‘free beer’ to get people to come support local music. It doesn’t really tie into the song, but we didn’t feel the need for it to.”

Directed by Bradley Atom and Britain Weyan, “Sorry, Anna” opens with the band informing their hosts they’re ready to play and to let all the guests know. The video then spends the majority of its running time alternating between the hosts scrambling to convince people to come watch while the group performs alone inside. While certainly a commentary on the sometimes apathetic nature of the house show scene, the final cut is way more tongue-in-cheek than it is acutely critical. The video ends with real footage of the band finishing up a performance in front of a group of appreciative onlookers, highlighting the possibilities that can happen when artists and supporters come together in unity.

Check it out above.

“Sorry, Anna” arrives at a time when worlds greatest dad are beginning to make inroads into the local scene. Recently, the trio’s infectious brand of emotive and melodic rock earned them an opportunity to play the Masquerade’s Wrecking Ball festival when they won a local band contest sponsored by Radio 105.7 FM. The group hopes to cash in on some of that momentum with an upcoming seven-song EP, which they are currently recording with Chris Collins at Opium Den Studios. The band expect it to be released sometime in late November or early December. “It’s a little bit darker than our last record and we’re really excited to have new material out,” says Duncan.

Before the release of the new record, however, worlds greatest dad will head out for a short run of Southeastern dates including a pair of hometown shows at the Masquerade. The first takes place on Wednesday, November 2 with Garret Klahn and Matt Woods and the second on Saturday, November 19 with Diet Cig. Check out the full list of dates below.

worlds greatest dad Tour Dates
Nov 02 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade w/ Garret Klahn, Matt Woods
Nov 04 – Birmingham, AL – The Highnote
Nov 05 – Tallahassee, FL – The Crum Box Gastgarden
Nov 06 – Orlando, FL – Spacebar
Nov 11 – Nashville, TN – TBA
Nov 12 – Chattanooga, TN – Office Space
Nov 19 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade w/ Diet Cig

More Info
Bandcamp: worldsgreatestdadmusic.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @worldsgreatestdadmusic
Instagram: @worldsgreatestdadatl
Twitter: @wgdband