The Steelwells

When Fullerton's the Steelwells won Best New Artist and Best Song at the OC Music Awards earlier this year, they took home more than just a statue. Part of the prize for Best Song was an opportunity to make a music video courtesy of the OC Music Awards and Akorn Entertainment. Watch the exclusive premier of the video for "El Capitan" after the jump!

Singer Joey Winter said the Steelwells' involvement was fairly simple; the creators Akorn Entertainment did all the hard work. "I talked to the guys [at Akorn] about what the song was about, and they came up with some really cool ideas for the video. I was impressed with what they came up with," Winter says.

"El Capitan" is about being the captain of your own ship, and how people may have problems with their crew. The video has a nautical theme. Though the band doesn't appear as people in the video, each of the band members appear in doll form (the characters are made of wire and cardboard).

"When see the video, you giggle and laugh," Winter said. "It's a lighthearted take on a heavier topic."

Many of the scenes allude to the Mexican Gulf oil spill last April. "The song was written during the Bush administration, but during the filming the BP oil spill was a big problem. It's a theme that never goes away," he said.

Winter said that the video fits the song well because the song itself is a dancy, fun pop song with dark undertones. "It's a sing along," he said. "It's light and fun."

The "El Capitan" video premiered last night at the Anahiem International Film Festival. - OC Weekly

(Santa Ana, CA) – Downtown Santa Ana based film production company, Akorn Entertainment, co-produced a music video for up and coming indie artist, The Steelwells, pro-bono, in efforts to further opportunities for local musicians within the Orange County community. The Steelwells won the complimentary music video along with the title of “Best Song” for track “El Capitan” at the 2010 OC Music Awards. Akorn Entertainment partnered with the Awards event to produce the music video for the winning song. The video for “El Capitan” premiered at the Anaheim International Film Festival opening night on October 13, 2010.

Akorn Entertainment Director, Ali Akbarzadeh, brought to life the lyrics of “El Capitan” with the story of a sea captain whose desire for material riches and overwhelming greed lead to his own personal demise. Each scene is woven with topical political undertones alluding to the 2010 Gulf oil spill crisis.

No real actors partake in the video, rather the characters are played by wire and cardboard doll-like figures, constructed and painted by Akorn’s Director of Photography, Joshua Lang, and Lead Artist, Natalia Wong. Art Director, Diana Markessinis, created miniature sets and props designed from found objects, hand-crafted into lavish oceanic scenes, giving the entire production an organic puppet theater meets anime style and feel.

The video was shot over seven nights, using a Canon 5D, completed and premiered, with the assistance of OC Music Awards, at no cost to the band. “Every year we are lucky enough to partner with OC Music Awards and get to know the best local musical talent OC has to offer,” says Jeffrey Horn, Akorn’s Executive Producer. “Producing a music video for the Award’s Best New Artist winner each year is a great way for us to give back to our creative community.”

Akorn Entertainment plans to co-produce a complimentary music video for the winner of OC Music Awards Best Song each year. Watch “El Capitan” on the OC Music Awards Youtube channel.


Song: El Capitan
Artist: The Steelwells
Album: Shallow on the Draft, 2009
Video Co-Producer: Jeffrey Horn, Akorn Entertainment
Video Co-Producer: OC Music Awards
Video Director: Ali Akbarzadeh, Akorn Entertainment
- Live OC Magazine

Some of them were childhood friends, the rest came along shortly thereafter — this is how The Steelwells came to be. This Orange County musical quintet has come a long way from being another OC indie band. Late last year, The Steelwells released their EP, “Shallow On The Draft,” and I’ll go as far as to say that their songwriting has definitely grown from their first EP,” The Open Letter.” There’s a deep rich sound, pounding rhythms, and most importantly, it has variety. “The Dance Is Out of Your Hands” is a more dramatic song accompanied by almost haunting, yet beautiful sounding guitars, while “El Capitan” is fun and breezy.

Then after such a strong EP came a residency at the Silverlake Lounge, which happened to be one of their favorite venues. Now, they’re on the road, all over California. They’ve reached a favorable place and they are well-deserving of it. - BeatCrave

...Releasing an excellent EP, Shallow on the Draft—which showcases a broad range of vocal styles and sounds in just seven songs, from the infectious ‘El Capitan’ to the moody ‘Boxes’... - L.A. Record

Fullerton-based quintet the Steelwells make big, open-hearted music that’ll put a smile on your suburban angst quicker than an afternoon latté or four open lanes at the Orange Crush. The band — singer-guitarist Joey Winter and mates Andrew Eapen, Robbie Gullage, Brian Manchester and Billy Kim — last year released its “Shallow on the Draft” EP that’s heavy on pristine melodies, chugging rhythms and “whoa-whoa-whoas.” It’s the kind of formula that should at least prick some music supervisors’ ears if not win some fans’ hearts. - Buzzbands LA