In their brand-new music video, Sweet Spirit conduct an army of young people like futuristic pied pipers through a glittery, prismatic world. All the while, the bubbling synths and reggaeton beat of “No Dancing” mark a new chapter for the Austin group known for pushing its own sonic boundaries.
Like last month’s “Behold,” “No Dancing” is a track off Trinidad, the Merge debut of this mighty sextet. It’s out May 29 worldwide; pre-order your copy today on vinyl packaged in a glorious die-cut jacket or on CD in the Merge store. Better yet, find the independent record shop near you that’s taking pre-orders!
With help from the Tingari-Silverton Foundation, Sweet Spirit recently raised money for the arts program of Austin’s Eastside Memorial High School, where the extras from the “No Dancing” music video study and work. Guitarist and co-songwriter Andrew Cashen says, “I don’t think I’ve had too many opportunities in life to pursue a creative act while simultaneously giving back to a community that is in need. It gave me a sense of responsibility and pride that I have never felt as a musician before.”
As drummer Danny “Lion” Blanchard notes, “The ‘No Dancing’ video shows us together in the same space while the sound stage shows isolation, which parallels what we’re currently going through as a society.” Yet he remains hopeful: “I’ve been teaching music to kids at Austin’s School of Rock. Even though we had to transition to virtual lessons recently, the kids have hope; I see it. Even while we can’t be in the same room, they feel we can still be connected, that we can still be together despite the circumstances.”
Frontperson Sabrina Ellis describes the video shoot: “We were crowded together for ten hours, all the band kids, the whole drill team, the film crew, the teachers, the rock band covered in glitter and sweat. We had no idea that in the near future, we would all have to separate and isolate in order to keep each other safe. This is the last time Sweet Spirit was all in one room together, but not the last.”
On Trinidad, Sweet Spirit’s songs are stripped down yet more intricate than ever before. It’s a pop record made by punk rockers—sonically happy and lyrically bitter. Lustful, sassy, and passionate. Touting inspirations as varied as Prince, T. Rex, William Onyeabor, ABBA, Roy Orbison, Shintaro Sakamoto, Francoise Hardy, and Robyn, Sweet Spirit have created an album that pulsates with more LinnDrum and synth than guitar.
Photo credit: Roger Ho
