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A distant light brings strangers together in Jonathan Facka’s latest music video, bringing new meaning to everyday life and self-reflection in his album’s title track.

With his 2018 debut album, Streetlight in the Woods, Jonathan Facka went from his first open mic night performance to a fully-written and recorded album in a year’s time. In what could be described as a songwriter’s version of rags-to-riches, Facka’s work reflects his ode to commitment and determination in his music.

Embarking with dedication after the album’s release, Facka went on to several mini tours as his songs began popping up on nationally-followed playlists across Spotify, Apple, and Pandora. His self-financed music video for his song, “The Tree,” featured and co-starred singer Thalia Tymowski. Facka has shared the stage with many popular artists in Richmond while continuing to write and record original music; but before he follows up Streetlight in the Woods with a new album, he’s released one more surprise in the form of a music video for Streetlight’s title track.

Starring an actual streetlight in the woods, the video treats viewers to an interpretation of self-reflection and meaning in everyday life. A cast of characters that, seemingly, have nothing in common are drawn individually to a distant light — looking for answers to whatever questions they are asking themselves.

In a poignant turn of phrase, Facka writes, “I’m a streetlight burning so bright, in the woods where nobody can see.” He sees the metaphor as a connection between strangers, noting that it’s possible we have all felt that way at some point in our lives. “Does the streetlight serve as an allegory to the human existence? Is the answer in each of us? Are all of us, each and every one, the light we are looking for?” he says.

Listeners and viewers alike can tune in to his latest VEVO premiere for Streetlight in the Woods’ title track in the new release. Facka teamed up for the video shoot with Forrest Mason Productions, who produced his video for “The Tree,” bringing fans great visuals to accompany his unique sound.

With a brand-new recording of Streetlight, Facka debuted its music video on March 1. Check it out below, and find him on his YouTube VEVO Channel, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more.

With the release of their latest album, The Milkstains are back in business with shows all over Richmond. “Punch The Sky” did not disappoint breaking out summer-worthy sonic jams at the peak of the season.

The grime surf band began back in 2003 when Katchinoff and Sizemore were in high school. Lopez joined seven years later creating The Milkstains as we know them today and they’ve been jamming out ever since.

“We’re just a group of three individuals that believe in freedom of expression and sound,” Sizemore said. “We try to stay fair in our decisions as group and that it’s a labor of pure love.”

Although they’ve been playing together for just shy of a decade, they’re still trying new things. Sizemore said they recorded the album on tape like they’ve always done, but unlike their other albums “Punch The Sky” has a theme to it.

We still got some tapes left of the new album, give us a holler if ya wanna snag one. We'll have some with us too at our next show on 7/28 at Smatter with Lee Bains and Sports Bar 🙂

A post shared by The Milkstains (@themilkstains) on Jul 13, 2017 at 7:47am PDT

“This is a record dealing with the idea that the internet opens the world to everyone and how that can feel claustrophobic in its vastness at times,” Sizemore said. “On the flip side, understanding we all have to lead a life once we aren’t connected to it can create a passionate or dispassionate person. ‘Punch The Sky’ is how we personally deal with that.”

“Punch The Sky” took the guys about a year and a half to create. Sizemore said half the album was worked out before the trio even got into the studio then they cultivated the final half in the studio.

“Most of the songs are a complete collaboration between us,” Sizemore said. “I usually write the chords and parts and then Gabe and Raph fill them out or help organize the structures of the tunes. That being said we experimented with some tunes being complete improvisations or with a drum beat first and building a song around that (sink or swim) which is pretty unorthodox for us.”

“Pathos” is one of Sizemore’s favorites off the album.

“That’s a song that Gabe wrote the chords to and Raph stepped up and had lyrics he wanted to do,” Sizemore said. “I remember Raph singing that song first take at 3 a.m. and you can hear his keys rattling from jumping around in the background.”

The guys had a release show with The Whiffs and Cherry Pits at Cary St. Cafe a couple of weeks ago.

“The release show was fucking nuts,” Sizemore said. “It was really amazing seeing all the support Richmond has for our local music scene. We got to share the stage with some of our most favorite people.”

Further into the future, the guys hope to one day get something they’ve done pressed to vinyl and make time for more touring.

Until then, catch The Milkstains at their next gig with Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires and Sports Bar at Strange Matter on the 28th.

Jonathan Facka’s “Streetlight in the Woods” Video Evokes Poignant Emotional Exploration

Grime surf band The Milkstains keeps jamming with latest album ‘Punch The Sky’