Nothing makes sense anymore. Every news article points out that our world’s on fire (sometimes quite literally). The president tweets misery into existence on a whim. Pikachu’s now a detective. Aunt Becky from Full House might go to prison. We scroll past the first ever real photos of black holes mankind has ever seen on our timeline without a second thought because, you know, whatever man. Even if the outer world isn’t bringing you down, there’s still our own subconsciouses to worry about.
It’s easy to lose your sense of self in all the mayhem. But sometimes you have to pull yourself out of the fray, for your own sake. It’s something Seattle band Versing speaks to in their latest single “Renew” from their upcoming album 10000, out May 3 via Hardly Art.
Vocalist and guitarist Daniel Salas says the song is about “taking time to care for yourself—even when things are all weird and fucked up.” It’s a salient message, backed up with a fuck-ton of guitar distortion. It’s Versing at their best – loud, thoughtful, and with a lead melody that’s sure to get seared into your brain.
The wonderfully cacophonous arrangement may seem incongruent with the message, riffs ablaze as Salas sings lines like “remember to breathe into your life,” but it’s an apt musical metaphor for trying to find peace when the world won’t quiet down.
The metaphor is beautifully blown up further with the song’s 360-degree music video directed by Claire Buss. It warrants multiple viewings from different angles because you’re sure to miss some insanity along the way. Watch it for yourself below.
The video finds themselves other patrons in a warehouse where calamity reigns. Versing themselves sit criss-cross and playing paddy-cake on a corner stage. Two friends move a cafe table across the room, constantly pulling out new beverages to gulp down – starting with travel coffee mugs and escalating to full-on buckets. A woman jazzercises. Buss even makes a cameo, slowly stripping off clothes while talking on the phone.
No one seems in step with each other, existing in their own worlds but all adding to the collective absurdity of the scenario. And what could describe living in 2019 better? But throughout, lyrics from “Renew” appear in random locations in the room. A reminder to breathe and give yourself a chance to replenish yourself. If you don’t, the world around you could drive you mad.
Versing will hit the road next month, kicking things off with their album release show May 2 at Chop Suey in Seattle and touring across the country through July. Check out their full tour dates and revist Versing's performance from KEXP 2017 Upstream Music Fest broadcast below.
Pre-orders for 100000 are available now.
Versing Tour Dates
May 02 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
May 03 - Vancouver, BC - Static Jupiter
May 06 - Reno, NV - Holland Project
May 8 - San Diego, CA - Whistle Stop
May 9 - Los Angeles, CA - Resident
May 11 - Oakland, CA - Octopus Literary Salon
Jun.19 - Las Vegas, NV - The Bunkhouse Saloon $
Jun. 20 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar $
Jun. 21 - El Paso, TX - Love Buzz $
Jun. 22 - San Antonio, TX - The Limelight $
Jun. 23 - Austin, TX - Barracuda $
Jun. 24 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada $
Jun. 25 - Houston, TX - The Satellite $
Jun. 26 - Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone Café $
Jun. 28 - Madison, WI - The Terrace at University of Wisconsin $
Jun. 29 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Arts Festival $
Jun. 30 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups $
Jul. 02 - Washington, DC - Comet Ping Pong $
Jul. 03 - Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere $
Jul. 05 - Somerville, MA - ONCE Ballroom $
Jul. 06 - Montréal, QC - Bar Le 'Ritz' P.D.B. $
Jul. 07 - Toronto, ON - The Baby G $
Jul. 08 - Detroit, MI - UFO Factory $
Jul. 10 - Sioux Falls, SD - Total Drag Records $
Jul. 12 - Denver, CO - Globe Hall $
$ w/ Froth
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