Video of The Day (Premiere Edition): New Shack

There's a bunch of videos out there. Some of them are good. Some of them are a cut above. I like to think my picks for Video of The Day are a cut (or two) above.

Last year I earmarked Utah outfit New Shack as a Treefort artist to watch, so it's not a surprise that they've popped up once again on my radar.

Today I have the distinct and very pleasing pleasure of premiering the video for "Cherry," a kittenish gem of gossamer, gilded pop undercut with the complexity of an unexpected historical inspiration - the one and only Marie Antoinette. "Cherry" sees the duo find something special within this playful yet complicated song; as with so many "pop" songs there's a lot more to "Cherry" than meets the eye.

For the visuals for "Cherry," three main shots help bring the song to life: a poolside space, a gorgeous merry-go-round, and a mirrored room. To me, there's a Lost In Translation feel to the filming, and that eye candy ties in with all that sweetness of the song.

Get to know New Shack with our little Q & A below, and enjoy the audio/visual experience that is "Cherry."

Fuzzy Logic: Please introduce yourselves, and describe your sound.

New Shack: Hey! We’re New Shack: Eric Robertson and Cat Leavy. If you took the dreamiest and spookiest retro synth sounds, put a 2018 filter on it and layered it over a punchy beat you’d get something close to what we do.

FL: How did the two of you get together?

NS: We met through a mutual friend and started collaborating virtually while Cat lived in Germany. Eric would send beats and Cat would send back vocals and voila. It’s been the most seamless and harmonious collaboration.

FL: What band has most inspired the New Shack sound?

NS: We love Boards of Canada, Cocteau Twins, and Angelo Badalamenti. The vocals are heavily inspired by old school French pop - child-like and pure.

FL: What is it about Marie Antoinette that really inspired "Cherry?"

NS: The mix of decadence and darkness. It’s such a fantastic myth about the borderline between grandeur and delusion. Cat writes her lyrics based on visuals and feelings and the story of Marie Antoinette offers a visceral example of both.

FL: If you could play a show with anyone (current bands only, please!), who would it be and how come?

NS: Tough. Banoffee is incredible. Pure Bathing Culture would be amazing. We played shows with Glass Animals and Miike Snow last year and would gladly do so again! All of these bands offer an interesting take on pop—something we’re all about.

FL: What do you find most/least inspiring about Provo?

NS: The mountain location is incredible. There’s a ski resort 15 minutes away. But the isolation that comes with that can be tricky. The creative community is tight knit and supportive but also very small. It’s always an exercise is figuring out how to grow and develop. Provo is incredible though. There’s a reason why so many successful music acts are born there.

FL:  Please tell us about your plans, musically-speaking, for the year ahead? What's up your sleeve?

NS: We have a whole EP on the way and a video for almost every song. The visuals for this album will be incredible. We also have a killer live set with a drummer and multiple vocals. It’s going to be our year.





[posted 2.23.18]

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