Chris Bullinger raids Nashville Repertory Theatre for visually stunning new video 'Payin’ Dues'

Chris Bullinger, celebrated poet and singer-songwriter, has just released the much-anticipated music video for “Payin’ Dues,” the standout track from his latest album, ‘Waitin’ To Be Seen,’ slated for release on August 23rd. This new video brings to life the song’s old-timey circus atmosphere with a modern twist, encapsulating the song’s spirit of revelry and deep emotional exploration.



“To reflect the traipsing revelry of the song, we approached the video in a mixed media fashion,” Chris explains. “We got to raid Nashville Repertory Theatre’s costume and prop warehouse for old-timey circus ringmaster costumes and fortune teller mementos.” The result is a visually stunning piece that combines live-action footage with animated elements, creating an immersive experience that is both captivating and eerie.

The video features Nashville-based photographer Courtney Eckdahl’s striking still images of Chris and model Sheridan Foody, which are brought to life through the animation wizardry of Texas-based producer/designer/animator Andrew Knives. This blend of photography and animation adds layers of depth to the already rich narrative woven throughout Bullinger’s music. The track features layered instrumentation of vibrant horns, chunky guitar riffs, and twinkly keys, all tied together by Chris’s gruff vocals.

“Payin’ Dues” follows the release of the album’s lead single “Darlin’ In Me,” which finds the songwriter reflecting on the beauty seen through a loved one’s eyes, framed by psychedelic lyrics and a compelling rock groove. "Darlin' 'n' Me" is a frolic alongside the notion of how beautiful someone can be through a loved one's eyes, embodying the album's overarching narrative of seeking authentic connections,” Chris shared upon its release.

To date, Chris has recorded five critically acclaimed albums. His 2022 album, ‘True Rendition,’ and 2023’s ‘How to Bleed’ charted “#1 Added” on NACC Folk. He’s garnered 100k monthly listeners on Spotify, and over 2.8 million cumulative views across Vevo and YouTube. As a songwriter, Chris writes about truth more than fact. He believes the process of songwriting — and art in general — comprises three key components: observation, empathy, and rhythm. Accordingly, he is an astute observer of the human condition, often focusing on one key instant, empathizing with it, and then expanding that moment through rhythm.

'Waitin' To Be Seen’ marks a pivotal moment in Chris’s career, and is a testament to his profound ability to translate the human experience into music that resonates. It's a collection that promises to captivate and connect, reflecting both the nuances of individual stories and the universal truths of our shared human condition.