Following the release of singles ‘Flower Of Sex’ and ‘End Of The Week’, Merchandise have launched a third track ‘Lonesome Sound’ from their forthcoming long-player A Corpse Wired For Sound.
The infectious melancholy of ‘Lonesome Sound’ has been brought to life by frontman Carson Cox, whose filmmaker credits also extend to the two previous A Corpse Wired For Sound singles. Here he has crafted a static-charged video largely inspired by the ritual filmmaking of Kenneth Anger. As with many of the videos Cox makes, it takes its cues from the American underground film pioneer Maya Deren. Elaborating further he explains, “the video for ‘Lonesome Sound’ is meant to be a more mythical or classical representation of the lyrics. The Woman as Goddess and the Man as her vessel. The two mime an abstract love story on an empty stage. Television static represents the void and loneliness of Earth where there are other signs of life but are totally incomprehensible. The static is also a symbol of media and the distortion of communication. A silent cowboy whistles Jimmie Rodgers under the moon on a blank Earth. These are the only two witnesses to the shadow play.
Cox concludes, “it is not my intention to tell a story but to play with reality and fiction in search of a sort of ambiguity that more reflects my personal experience. There’s no happy ending here, but there is a light show.”
Formed nearly a decade ago, galvanized by Tampa hardcore and inspired by its miscreant noise, A Corpse Wired For Sound signals a new chapter for Merchandise. Following 2014’s After The End — a full-band effort recorded in a closet — the band stripped back to its core of Carson Cox (vocals, electronics), Dave Vassalotti (guitar, electronics) and Pat Brady (bass). The trio travelled to Rosà, Italy for their first ever sessions in a recording studio with a local, Maurizio Baggio. The nine-song nocturnal A Corpse Wired For Sound was recorded half in the studio and half at home, in Tampa as well as Cox’s newly adopted bases of New York and Berlin – the culmination of a long-distance collaboration between Cox and Vassalotti.
“We were ‘reborn’ as a rock band for After The End,” says Vassalotti, “and then we straight-up died again. It couldn’t last. The result is this distended corpse responding to you from both sides of the Atlantic, forever singing in spite of everything.” Cox continues further, “it’s about the truth of growing up. You can’t take your friends or lovers with you. It’s about finding peace with that loneliness.”
A Corpse Wired For Sound is released on September 23rd.
Merchandise’s huge three-month tour begins on the eve of A Corpse Wired For Sound’s release, and the trio will visit the UK in November, with headline shows scheduled in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, with support from EZTV. A full list of dates can be found on the band’s website – wmerchandise.com
MERCHANDISE TOUR DATES
Nov 2 – LONDON, The Lexington
Nov 3 – MANCHESTER, The Castle
Nov 4 – BIRMINGHAM, Sunflower Lounge
Nov 5 – LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club (w/ Preoccupations)
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