PREMIERE: Top Dollar - Reachin' Out

6 December 2016 | 3:49 pm | Staff Writer

Indie pop act Top Dollar are keen to drop their cheeky new clip today: a hazy, retro throwback filmed on tape for Reachin' Out.

Led by bandleader Nash Johnston, he says the inspiration for the clip came from a number of places, including Rick James, Teddy Pendergrass and the Aladdin soundtrack.

"The inspiration for the Reachin' Out clip – and song – probably came from the Rick James clip Give It To Me Baby (I'm aware it gets kinda problematic but the cheeky bits are funny); also the album cover for the Teddy Pendergrass record It's Time For Love, the one with him laying on his side wearing those cowboy boots – an obvious influence; and maybe like the Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle duet A Whole New World from the Aladdin soundtrack, but recreated at home on a $0 budget. Of course, my latest, my greatest inspiration: Jake Grossman."

Shot in Johnston's Brissy neighbourhood with David Mahoney and Chelsea Davis, Johnston — who plays most of his instruments at home — says, "The guitar solo at the end of the song was played by my dear friend Liam Campbell, in one hot take. And the backing vocals were provided by another very dear friend Emilee Nicholas."

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Reachin' Out hails from an upcoming self-titled EP from Top Dollar — in the meantime, check out the clip here.