Photo: Press
Anteros have unveiled the video for their mesmeric, moody cut, 'Blue'. You can watch it first and exclusively on Gigwise below.
We've been keeping tabs on the extremely exciting Anteros for a while now, having recently included them on our list of the most exciting acts to see at The Great Escape this year. And, we're delighted to show the video for one of their best, and most unique songs yet.
'Blue' is a heady, charming track that exposes the band staggering from the playfulness of 'Breakfast' to a slightly darker, more intoxicated style - with lead singer Laura Hayden beautifully pining, "I've been staying up too late, and chasing your ghost away" before a bouncing chorus takes center stage.
The behind-the-scenes tour video excellently showcases this transition as the rumbling bass and foreboding dark skies of the road eventually give way to clips from their vibrant live show. And, it's a perfect introduction to the band, featuring everything you would expect from a road trip, from service station food stops to being forced to give their car a running start.
Ultimately, Anteros' new video culminates into something that is simultaneously spirited, skittish, and enthralling - like everything we've seen so far from the artistic four-piece.
To celebrate the release, we caught up with Laura to discuss their work so far, the band's inspirations, and what the future holds for them.
So, how did the band first get together?
"Josh and I have been writing together for years - he's the first person I ever wrote with. A couple of years ago we realised we were onto something, so we started writing towards it. We released Anteros last year, Charles (guitar) and Harry (drums) joined shortly after...and here we are now."
‘Breakfast’ is just, so unbelievably catchy, how do feel about the positive reaction to it?
"It's an honest, fun tune - we love performing it, and we’re so happy people are enjoying it as much as we enjoyed writing it."
Everything we’ve heard from you so far has been incredibly hypnotic, what do you think makes a song stick with someone?
"We don't intentionally try and hypnotise with each track. In terms of sonics and musical arrangement, we aim to create progression and drive (imagine driving or dancing to a song); we then like to combine it with honest lyrics and catchy melodies."
Some of your tracks however, dream-pop, do hide a darker side. Do you enjoy writing songs with that inner deception?
"We call it "bitter dream pop” - because it's easier to tell the truth when it's dressed up."
All of your videos have clearly been meticulously crafted, why do you think it’s good to have such an impressive aesthetic?
"It's amazing how videos can bring a song to life. We love creating a pseudo reality world in our videos. After all, music provides escapism from everyday life - why shouldn't videos?
"We've been so lucky to work closely with an incredible team - directors James & James, and art director Fainche McCardle - on videos that have helped make our world a reality."
Do you all admire the same sort of bands, or do you individually follow different genres?
"Josh is very influenced by 80s and 90s Brit pop. Harry is very much millennial, Charles comes from a jazz background - with an added deep passion for pop kings Prince & MJ; and I'm very much about the ethereal 70s / 80s. Everyone has their own taste, and that's what makes working together fun."
With a whole host of singles, and a self-titled EP already out, are you guys thinking about doing an album yet?
"An album is the dream, but we're taking things one step at a time - and currently working towards our next single."
You’ve also got a host of dates coming up soon, how are you feeling about touring?
"We can't wait, as its our first time playing festivals. I've only just realised we barely have a weekend off until the end of Summer - but does playing festivals count as work?"
'Blue' is the latest piece of material we’ve heard from you, and we love its shifting, shimmering qualities. Tell us about the track and its accompanying video.
"‘Blue’ is a very special song for me personally - as it was written during dark days. Josh's production complimented the message of the track. We didn't think we'd ever release it, but after the "shininess" of Breakfast, we felt a darker b-side would contrast well - and ‘Blue’ was the perfect fit.
"We'd all taken loads of footage during our High Tyde support tour and our Live at Leeds gig. I asked the guys to send it over, and made the video for Blue as an introduction to the full band and life on the road."
To find out more about the band connect with them here on their social channels:
Twitter / Facebook
Anteros will be playing on Thursday 19 May at Brighton's Great Escape. For tickets, and more information, visit here.
See the full list for Anteros' UK tour here:
19 May - Brighton - The Great Escape
23 May - London - Barfly (supporting Man Of Moon)
29 May - Liverpool - Sound City
03 June - Cheltenham - Wychwood Festival
17 June - Leicestershire - 110 Above Festival
23 July - Cambridge - Secret Garden Party
26 August - Reading Festival
27 August - Leeds Festival
02 September - Cambridge, Lodestar Festival
