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See Growlers' Manic Video for Julian Casablancas–Produced Single
Hear "I'll Be Around" from group Strokes singer calls "the most interesting band in the world"
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Julian Casablancas says the Growlers may be "the most interesting band in the world, certainly one of the coolest." So the Strokes frontman jumped at the chance to co-produce the band's new album, City Club, and release it on his label, Cult Records.
Today, the band premieres the video for Afropunk-inspired first single "I'll Be Around," directed by Warren Fu, who has worked on videos for the Strokes, Daft Punk and Haim. The video captures singer Brooks Nielson making a surreal hospital visit – and getting some questionable treatment. "The song is about people calling me out on my constant contradictions and my weak argument to defend my actions and appease their expectations," says Nielson. "I thought that a video of me dying would be a good example of how it all doesn't really matter. Life's too short."
For the concept, Fu said he wanted to channel "Seventies and Eighties musical films like Little Shop of Horrors." "The band have created this eclectic style that's all their own, yet there are no real rules in their world," the director explains. "So while this was the band's concept, they were open to me throwing in my own ideas, such as the impatient Grim Reaper."
The Growlers are on the road this fall, culminating with their Beach Goth fest October 22nd and 23rd in Santa Ana, California. The band will play alongside big names like Bon Iver, Patti Smith, James Blake, TLC, Justice, Albert Hammond Jr., Future Islands and more. City Club is out now.
In This Article: Julian Casablancas