What does a summer song sound like? It should be upbeat and breezy, with a soaring chorus. It should invite you to do summery things, like jump in a pool, or relax on the porch with a cocktail. It should feel like a rush of vitamin D from being out in the sun. It should sound like “West Coast” by Alexis Grace.
Grace says the song’s harmonies are inspired by The Beach Boys (RIP Brian Wilson), and the video is “a love letter to Los Angeles, Hollywood, and the magic of being on set.”
Memphis expat (who currently lives in Los Angeles) Edward Valibus directed, shot, and edited the video, which was shot in Jamie Harmon’s Amurica studio. Look for cameos from The Breakup Show‘s Savanah Bearden, director Ben Siler, and up-and-coming filmmakers Bridie Maki and Wren Brewer.
“This was a fun way to come back home from LA and hang out with the wonderfully talented friends you never really leave behind in Memphis,” Valibus says. “Alexis is a darling of Memphis music and her charm emanates on both stage and screen. My creative title over the years has become more and more “editor” than any other role, so I wanted to rebel against that a bit and plan a one-take, no-cut music video. Now is the time to admit, despite planning an ambitious concept, I was just winging it that day. The cast Alexis assembled was phenomenal. Every actor was so well-versed in both improvisation and choreography that after just one or two rehearsals we nailed down a well-orchestrated homage of film-set chaos. My creative-concept insurance was that if we made a mistake, we meant to do it but this came out just fantastically peachy.”