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Oo La La by Smash Mob feat. Jacqueline van Bierk

Oo La La - the poster for the short film/music video by Smash Mob feat. Jaqueline van Bierk

Smash Mob Brings the 1920’s to the 20’s with “Oo La La” a Burlesque Music Video/Film

A newsboy sneaks into a 1920’s grand burlesque nightclub and hijinks ensue - so goes the plot of the new Smash Mob music video/short film “Oo La La” featuring Jacqueline van Bierk. Those experiencing the ambitious scale of this music video/short film might be shocked to find out it was shot in a tiny garage studio--on iPhones! Smash Mob is the teaming of a veteran performer, songwriter, producer, award-winning filmmaker/screenwriter, Frank Rogala (lead vocalist for EXUDE and NC-17) and performer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, Jason Eldridge. 

“I’ve done so much with so little for so long that now I can do practically anything with nothing,” joked director, co-producer/composer/editor Rogala. 

“Post-production took over two years. I literally burned up 2 IMac’‘s editing this,” explained director/co-writer/producer Rogala. “Finally after driving back and forth to Apple stores for repairs (logging over 2000 miles) Apple just replaced the computers. Imagine editing 25 layers of 4k video in dozens of scenes and you might understand how difficult this was on what essentially is a home computer. Every tiny change I made meant a half-hour or more of waiting for a render - to see if it worked.” 

Professional choreography was provided by Madam Sunset Lovleigh who brought authentic burlesque costumes and worked with van Bierk. Lovleigh appears as a fan dancer in the film/music video. "I made liberal use of my neighbors and housemates," explained Rogala. "Aaron King, an Emmy winning art director, lives next door. Aaron has asked me again and again, ‘Why haven’t we worked together?’ I always explained, ‘you get paid and have a budget - I have NO budget!’' When I realized that his teenage son, Konrad, would be perfect as the 'newsboy' things started rolling. Things sped up when it occurred to us that we were one growth spurt away from losing our window of opportunity with Konrad. I was right, it’s been a year since we shot his scenes--Konrad has grown nearly 8 inches,” laughed Rogala. 

Rogala was permitted to use King’s account at Western Costume and History for Hire (places where movie studios get their props and costumes). “I didn’t have much to spend, so we used strategies like - one suit had to fit all the guys,” said Rogala. “Aaron had a trunk of clothing he had inherited from his great grandmother. The antique dresses fit his wife, Monika, so she wears many of those outfits and appears as 5 different characters.” 

Rogala’s previous Smash Mob video, You Can Run (a Westworld take off), was an official selection of the International iPhone Film Festival. 

“I had no idea this was what Frank had in mind when we got started. I think it kind of picked up momentum and scale as we went along. I adore how amazing it came out. My dream is for this song to become a staple for modern-day burlesque and drag performers,” explained van Bierk. 

“Jacqueline (van Bierk) is a bit of a superhero to us. As a child, she escaped over the wall from East Germany. They shoot you for that!” explained Smash Mob’s Jason Eldridge (a co-writer on the song). “To know her is to be impressed by her.” 

Jacqueline van Bierk’s performance is pitch-perfect as the songstress who tempts nearly everyone with her seductive charms. Lead vocalist for Otto’s Daughter, van Bierk is also a composer for film and TV. “We jump at any opportunity to work with Jacqueline. Her voice is one of a kind, and if that wasn’t enough when you get her on camera-- she becomes bigger than life. She absolutely transforms,” enthused Rogala. 

Along with scores of music placements in TV and films Smash Mob is best known for writing the theme song for the History Channel Show "Alone," their dancefloor stomping remix of the Wonder Woman theme song from the 70’s TV show, and their recent remix of the Petticoat Junction TV theme by God’s Cowboys. Smash Mob’s music can be heard all over the dial on shows like Young Sheldon, LA To Vegas, Inkmasters, Black Ink Crew, Animal Planet - Rabid, Bravo - Southern Charm, History Channel - Forged in Fire, Catfish, Discovery - Bad Blood, Discovery - Evil Stepmothers, Discovery - I Am Homicide, CBS Sports, MTV - Suspect, Amazon - Forged in Fire, E-Stewarts and Hamiltons, E- Dash Dolls, and MTV - True Life. 

Along with composing music for film and TV, Smash Mob also produces music singles and music videos for other performing artists. Smash Mob music videos and singles are available at SmashMobMusic.com website as well as the SmashMobMusic channel on Youtube. 

The Oo La La music video can be seen on the “Smash Mob Music” channel on Youtube or on the Smash Mob’s Facebook page. Smash Mobs Oo La La can be heard on Apple Music, Spotify, Itunes, Amazon, Google Play, Deezer -- everywhere music is available. To keep up with the latest Smash Mob news check out SmashMobMusic.com 

Oo La La

Smash Mob feat. Jacqueline van Bierk

Oo La LA is both a single and 1920's period music video.

Smash Mob Creates Female Empowerment Anthem “Run Free”   

Hollywood, CA, August 20, 2019 / Smash Mob’s Jason Eldridge and Frank Rogala have dropped a new rock single, Run Free, in support of organizations that help protect those who are threatened, stalked or worse when they try to run or exercise.  The song features the lyrics and vocal talents of Jacqueline van Bierk. 

The rock anthem was in response to a request by iwillrunfree.org (a site that was created by women runners who have experienced harassment, intimidation, stalking and worse while simply trying to exercise and run). 

“We wanted to communicate the issue in a way that would make you want to put this song on your exercise playlist - it had to be a bitchin’ tune.  Deep down, I knew we needed a female point of view on this. I consider myself a decent lyricist, and I can imagine what it is like to feel scared, intimidated, vulnerable - but why not get the message first hand?  We were thrilled that Jacqueline van Bierk (composer /performer /singer /songwriter), agreed to work with us on it.   We just knew she’d knock it out of the park,” explained Frank Rogala, producer and co-writer of the song with Jason Eldridge and van Bierk.

“Jacqueline is a bit of a superhero to us.  As a child, she escaped over the wall from East Germany.  They shoot you for that!” explained co-writer Jason Eldridge. “To know her is to be impressed by her. Frank and I worked to make the music convey a feeling of energy, empowerment, and drive -- Jacqueline did the rest!” 

“I wrote this as a female empowerment song, to encourage women to let their struggles and pain be their greatest gift to keep on going. To come together, share and encourage one another. Let this song be their anthem to run, not run away but run free towards their passion, their dreams, their purpose, and goals,” enthused Jacqueline van Bierk. 

“We are making the song available to be used by iwillrunfree.org as well as any other organizations that support the protection, networking, and safety of those who feel vulnerable while running or exercising.  Anything to raise awareness and to support these organizations and to help women feel empowered, rather than scared, ashamed or vulnerable,” explained Rogala. 

Along with dozens of music placements in TV and films Smash Mob is best known for writing the theme song for the History Channel Show Alone, their dancefloor stomping remix of the Wonder Woman theme song from the 70’s TV show, and their recent remix of the Petticoat Junction TV theme by God’s Cowboys. Smash Mob’s music can be heard all over the dial on shows like Young Sheldon, LA To Vegas, Inkmasters, Black Ink Crew, Animal Planet - Rabid, Bravo - Southern Charm, History Channel - Forged in Fire, Catfish, Discovery - Bad Blood, Discovery - Evil Stepmothers, Discovery - I Am Homicide, CBS Sports, MTV - Suspect, Amazon - Forged in Fire, E-Stewarts and Hamiltons, E- Dash Dolls, and MTV - True Life. 

Along with music for film and TV, Smash Mob also produces music singles and music videos for other performing artists. Smash Mob music videos and singles are available at SmashMobMusic.com website as well as the SmashMobMusic channel on Youtube.   

Smash Mob’s music video You Can Run feat. Stephen Bannon is an official selection of the iPhone International Film Festival. 

Smash Mob is the teaming of veteran performer, songwriter, producer, award-winning filmmaker/screenwriter, Rogala (lead vocalist for EXUDE and NC-17) and performer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, Eldridge. 

Artwork for Run Free by Smash Mob feat. Jacqueline van Bierk

The Female Empowerment single "Run Free" by Smash Mob feat Jacqueline van Bierk

GODS COWBOYS' PETTICOAT JUNCTION THEME MIXED BY SMASH MOB 

Born of an act of God, the holy cabaret trinity known as Gods Cowboys roamed the comedy plains of Australia from 1992-96.  Slim, the snake oil preacher; Buck, the desperado deacon; and Billy, the free-range altar boy, cowboy evangelists who spread their love-thy-neighbor eat meat doctrine and converted audiences into believers across the country from coast to roast. Fringe & Comedy Festival favorites with a fearless ability to surprise their ‘congregation’, the boys mixed scorching satire with sacrilegious silliness. Schooled in the ways of TV evangelism and pyramid marketing, GODS COWBOYS conduct everything from holy communion and exorcisms to faith-heatings and sermons from their portable pulpit. 

GODS COWBOYS are performers George Catsi, David Delves and John Knowles. 
The boys had not performed together as a trio since splitting up following their infamous national tour with Red Symonds and Melinda Schneider promoting the benefits of smoking Horizon cigarettes. 

Recently, John’s wife Ronelle was diagnosed with incurable cancer. When David and George heard the news, they convinced John that it was time to dust off the hobby horses and mount the show again to raise much-needed financial and spit=ritual support for John, Ronelle, and their four young children.  Ronelle is a respected Musical Director, arranger and performer herself and Musical Director of the choir Alchemy a cappella and also the quartet Vocalicious. 

The GODS COWBOYS rollicking cover of Petticoat Junction was originally recorded for inclusion on the Album ‘Channel Surfing’ in 1995, a compilation of TV show and cartoon theme songs reinterpreted by live Sydney pop and Rock bands of the time. Petticoat Junction, for those unfamiliar, was a long-running American sitcom about a woman and her three gorgeous daughters who run the Shady Rest Hotel along a really used section of railway. Tracks for the Gods Cowboys cover version of Petticoat Junction theme song were recorded by Engineer Steve Peach at Stereo Missile Recordings, but the track was never completed at the time. Finally mixed in 2019 by Smashmob, with additional harmonica heroics by John and additional production by Frank Rogala and Jason Eldridge, the tune has been given a driving backbeat and a playful country twang. 

The Performers 
When David’s philosophy-quoting, guitar-slinging alter ego ‘Buck' is not out saving sinner’s souls, David Delves is an established singer-songwriter. He and his band The Welcome Strangers have produced two excellent albums and is currently working on his third studio album "Invisible, Man”. Recently seen on Guy Sebastian’s live feed singing and sharing an UBER ride together, David is the musical steam engine that drives the Cowboys. 

The man in white ‘bringing the steeple to the people' is Slim, known to others as Dr George Catsi, a University lecturer in Media Studies (UTS), Petersham Bowling Club President and creator of solo theatrical projects including a play entitled ’I Want To Be Slim’ and the autobiographical comic memoir ’What’s In a Name?’ about his own father’s life of outrageous scams and scurrilous behaviour.  George’s doctorate thesis was an investigation into the manipulation of minds and the media by televangelists. 

Bespeckled gurner John Knowles plays Billy, the harmonica-wielding, truth-telling innocent in furry chaps.  Portraying a cowboy is in John’s blood. His dad Chuck was an actual bronco-rider in the Calgary Stampede. John translated his bizarre upbringing into a Moosehead Comedy Award-winning solo show entitled “Saddle Sore”. John is an improvisation veteran and corporate comedian whose true storytelling show ‘I Can Top That!’ is staged live monthly and regularly heard on ABC702 Afternoons with James Valentine. 

The show began as a comedic take on masculinity, popular culture, and politics wrapped around a satirical look at God and religions – songs, spit, and satire. They kick the dogma and parody everyone from the Pope on down. It’s an all singing, all dancing country church service mash-up that formed its own genre - Cowbaret. Their congregation grew. At one point they were enlisted to bolster Sydney’s Olympics bid alongside Marcia Hines and others. GODS COWBOYS like to think they were the reason the games came to Sydney. 

SMH reviewer Pamela Payne wrote: “Gods Cowboys are assured, dynamic performers with a wicked sense of irony ... They play it straight from the holster with diabolical accuracy... these three performers create riotous comedy...they demolish without mercy all that their outward pose supports. They preach a method of sharp comic conception and takes the stage by storm!" 

To speak with GODS COWBOYS or to receive press photos, please contact: 
George Catsi - Ph: 0419 623 082  E: gcatsi@gmail.com    or  John Knowles - Ph: 0413 631 549  jknowles@ihug.com.au

Press Release - Smash Mob Releases 3 Versions of Baby It's Cold Outside

MTV's Ex On The Beach features Smash Mob Music