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‘Iconoclast’ by BONDBREAKR is a protest anthem that highlights Black feminist ideologies, secular revelations, and spiritual liberation. Frontwoman Gerilyn Hayes-McCloskey focused her songwriting lens on Black women and LGBTQ2S+ communities whose standing in the world’s cultural canons is consistently overlooked when not curated or designed for the cis-het male gaze.

The music video presents the Black female body as a living figure of power and great beauty, untouched by governing forces or politicized billy clubs.

“The living, breathing, unencumbered physical body as an accompaniment to our music is essential for the viewer,” explains Hayes-McCloskey, “Through physical movement, I wanted to offer the listeners a real life illustration of the lyrics’ meaning.”

To emphasize enigmatic expression through movement, Hayes-McCloskey sought the expertise of multidisciplinary artist Alexandra Achieng Ligawa to breathe new life into the protest anthem. Ligawa’s interpretation of the song was transformed into masterful choreography, as captured by cinematographer and video director Jay Galvan, adding a gripping dynamic to the visual.

“The living, breathing, unencumbered physical body as an accompaniment to our music is essential for the viewer.”
— Gerilyn Hayes-McCloskey

Both Galvan and Hayes-McCloskey collaborated on the video concept, with the introduction of a new talent bookending the visual: Zora Hanley-Krunic.

“Jay wanted to lend a generational concept to the video which I found apt and poignant,” McCloskey said, “Zora is the perfect representation of a generation we must simultaneously educate as well as uplift as they navigate a world fraught with strife.”

Iconoclast is the sixth track on ‘EXILE’, the latest EP by BONDBREAKR released on acclaimed underground punk label Grimace Records in August 2023.

The performance in the video was filmed at The Lost Well in Austin, Texas and features punk rock and metal community members including trap rock artist CreateLadyJ, and several members of Kuru, Needle Freak, Dexth Witch, Petra Von Kant, and Mange.

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