• AFP Music: What to See This Spring (pt 1)

• In a recent interview with Nylon, indie artist Mitski spoke on the potential musicians have to be representatives and role models to listeners, especially the younger ones in the internet age, saying: “...it’s so valuable that kids confused about their identity can go out and be like, ‘I’m going to Google search this’ or ‘I want to look for other people like me.’ If they look hard enough they can find those communities online..." Anyone googling Mitski at the moment will quickly be directed towards her most recent single, “Your Best American Girl” and it’s accompanying video. Mitski’s “Your Best American Girl”  In the video, directed by Zia Anger, Mitski is contrasted with the stereotypical indie girl, who enters stage left in a flower crown and press-on tattoos to steal the video's love interest away. It's a timely comparison given that this year's Coachella, a festival known for it's outlandish and occasionally culturally insensitive outfits, is only just behind us. The video also comes at a time at which musicians are using their videos to communicate messages about identity, self-respect, and self-acceptance. Think: Beyonce and the anthem that is "Formation." Even though the temptress wins "the All-American boy" as Mitski calls him in this video, her spirits aren't so easily dampened. After some reflection, Mitski returns renewed and with a smirk shreds her guitar, as if to say 'Sure, I lost the guy, but I also sold out the Bowery Ballroom in June and wrote an ama[...]