Escape Artist Lovers Share Debut Single + Video “Hey Motherf*cker”
Photo Credit: Shane McKenzie
Today, California-based duo Escape Artist Lovers, made up of Rain Phoenix and Kirk Hellie, shared their debut single + video “Hey Motherf*cker” via LaunchLeft. First premiered by FLOOD Magazine, “It’s a classic boy/girl love song. If cupid had a switchblade instead of an arrow. Love…like chewing on a bumblebee.” – Kirk Hellie
Accompanying the single is an artfully crafted music video, with glitched out footage echoing scenes from Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable. Directed by Shane McKenzie, the video was shot and edited on VHS at The Casa Madonna.
Escape Artist Lovers will also be playing a pair of upcoming live shows in Los Angeles, CA, performing at Zebulon on August 21. Tickets + details available here.
Leading up to their partnership, the two have flourished in their extensive backgrounds in the industry. Since the 1990s, Kirk has been a sideman for the likes of Steve Jones and Glenn Branca, collaborated with various artists including Atticus Ross, Jehnny Beth, and Mogwai, and has fronted his own bands. As for Rain, she grew up awash in the arts. Starting out with her brother River in Aleka’s Attic, she has collaborated, toured, or worked with artists ranging from Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) and Gus Van Sant, to the much underrated Alternative Tentacles band, The Causey Way, as well as also fronting her own bands.
Escape Artist Lovers’ reverence for their musical heroes might be easy to take for granted. Not everybody opened for Sonic Youth on their 18th birthday or has been a much sought out sideman within the Los Angeles music scene. But for the two artists, it’s impossible to deny their roots. The result is less a recreation of ‘70s Laurel Canyon, ‘80s Paisley Underground, ’90s alt songcraft and sonic exploration, and more of a continuation. Hellie and Phoenix aren’t operating in the shadow of history, they’re basking in its sunlight.
Aug 21 Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon
Sept 19 Los Angeles, CA @ Golddiggers
