Music video shot in SW Michigan

Published 12:00 pm Friday, April 6, 2012

A new music video featuring up-and-coming Iowa-based artist Kate Sherrard – shot in settings throughout Benton Harbor and St. Joseph – is gaining momentum on YouTube.

In its first five day on the popular video site, “How Did I Get This Love from You,” written and produced by Dave Carlock of 27 Sounds Inc., has garnered more than 2,600 views, and And the numbers keeps climbing.

The song is the story of a modern woman who has gained the affection of an unwanted suitor. No matter where she goes, he’s always there. The storyline of the video unfolds across a variety of landmarks and locations including the exterior of the State Theater in downtown Benton Harbor, St. Joseph’s brick-paved State Street business district, a Fairplain neighborhood, the Coloma Rod and Gun Club, the St. Joseph Public Library and the interior of the 27 Sounds studio in the Benton Harbor Arts District.

“We had the option of shooting this video in Chicago, but the range or local backdrops found in or near the arts district suited this song perfectly,” Carlock said. “We wanted to capture a relatable visual storyline mixing suburbia with edgier urban shots. The local settings translate well and bring something unique to it.”

Carlock’s interest in the area goes back a few decades. As a native of St. Joseph, his first published songs on Columbia Records were created there working solo and with New York songwriters who, even then, came to the area to work with Carlock. As offers from the music industry escalated, he sidelined his goal of developing an entertainment media center in the area to establish connections and professional credibility in New York and Los Angeles. After a trip back to the area in 2007, he felt the time was right to relocate his 27 Sounds music and entertainment production company from Los Angeles back to his hometown, in the Benton Harbor Arts District.

New vibrancy

“I was blown away by the vibrancy and potential of what was happening in the arts district. It revitalized my original vision that this area was a place where I could bring artists in from across the country and the world to write songs, record and produce albums and direct visual content used to successfully market the work I create here. All this can add up to jobs and a positive contribution to the local economy,” Carlock said. “The two songs and videos I created for Kate are examples of that workflow and vision realized. This is a great place to make music and create.”

Carlock added reactions to Sherrard and the song has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People are taking notice of Kate’s presence as an artist. They are talking about the memorable melody and hooks in the song, its relatable story line, and the overall vibe of the music,” Carlock said. “They want to know where they can buy it, which is what every songwriter wants to hear.”

Radio support

In October, the song made a test market radio debut on 98.3 The Coast (WCXT-FM). Zack East, Mid-West Family Broadcasting assistant operations manager and morning radio show personality, gave the song air time during an interview with Carlock.

“As evidenced by Sara Bareilles and Colbie Caillat, radio listeners love that feel-good pop piano mix of music, and Kate is right on track. I am convinced that if she had more exposure, we’d see her single “How Did I Get This Love From You” become another hit in the AC, Hot AC, CHR-Pop, and AAA markets.”

That is where the next step for the new video leads. According to Carlock, major record labels have expressed interest in Sherrard as an artist following his meetings in Los Angeles. He will be sending the video to those and other labels to further the discussions about signing her to a recording contract.

“From our first meeting, Kate’s been that unique artist who has the right combination of talent, desire, visual presence and a commitment to her dream,” Carlock said. “She’s been great to work with, and I can’t wait for everyone else to see that in her as her career blooms.